Page 49 of Bright Lights and Summer Nights

Emma rolls her eyes. “I don’t know…incredibly forward.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

She takes another bite of the taco, probably trying to buy herself more time to answer my question. That’s fine—I’ll sit here and wait until she finally does. I have all the time in the world. Not really, but I do have time to wait, at least for a little bit.

Reaching across the counter, I grab the paper bag and pull it toward me. Immediately, she throws her hand out, her palm hitting the top of the bag with a loud smacking sound.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asks suspiciously.

“Getting a taco? I’m hungry.”

She shakes her head, trying to pull the bag out of my grip. “Get your own tacos.”

I laugh. “I did. Right here in this bag.”

“No. These are mine.”

“I got six tacos.”

She doesn’t miss a beat with her response. “What if I want all six of them?”

I place my hands in the air in surrender. “Then by all means, they’re all yours.”

She gives me a satisfied smile before shoving the rest of her first taco into her mouth. I don’t know why, but I find myself completely endeared by the way she just acted like she was going to bite my head off for even thinking about eating one of the tacos.

“You can have one taco—but that’s it,” Emma says as she begins to unwrap another one.

“One? How generous of you.”

She shrugs, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. “I know.”

Instead of taking a taco out of the bag and eating it because I am hungry, I can’t do anything but stare at her. Regret washes over me even when I realize I shouldn’t be thinking about what will happen after this weekend, but I can’t help it.

I know I’ll never forget the woman standing in front of me eating a breakfast taco in three enormous bites. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before, and I already regret not having the chance to make her mine past the week I’ve been given with her.

CHAPTER 24

EMMA

MARGO

Remember to keep us updated about tennis!

WINNIE

Don’t forget sunscreen :)

EMMA

If I embarrass myself in front of an athlete, make sure to bury me in a cute Chanel two-piece set. I won’t be able to live after this.

MARGO

I still can’t believe you’re spending the week with Preston Rhodes. Are you sure I can’t tell Beck?

EMMA

I’m pulling the best friend card. No telling husbands until next week when he’s no longer here for his sister’s wedding.

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