Page 38 of The Finder

“Relax, Kyle,” Madison said. “She’s coming.”

Emma followed Madison towards the hallway where Kyle was waiting. Kyle frowned at her. “She’s wearing that?” he asked.

Emma stopped moving and looked at Madison. Madison hit Kyle’s arm. “Stop. Leave her alone. She looks beautiful.”

“I know. That’s the problem. You’re letting her go to that guy like that?” Kyle asked as he followed Madison down the stairs.

Emma followed slowly behind them, bewildered. Madison talked to Kyle in a voice Emma couldn’t hear. She waited by the stairs, trying not to feel awkward. “Well, I called him,” Kyle said.

“Good,” Madison said. “He needs to make a move.” Madison turned towards Emma with a smile on her face. “Smile,” she said and took a picture of Emma on her phone. “All right, girl. Have a great time!”

“You’re not coming with?” Emma asked, suddenly panicky.

“On your date?” Madison asked.

“No, not on my date. I just meant to go with the guys to drop me off,” she said.

“I need to make dinner. You can tell me all about it when you get back,” she said. She gave Kyle a hug and a kiss. Then Emma was being ushered out the door.

The ride was quiet once again. When they got close, Kyle turned to look at her. “You have your phone on you?” Emma nodded. “Good. We’re not going to come in, but if you feel anything off, you call us and we’ll be there right away. Understand?”

“You’re staying?” Emma asked, confused.

Kyle turned back around in his seat. “Yep.”

“You don’t have to stay. I know Madison’s making dinner,” she said.

“We’ll eat when we get home,” Kyle said, not sounding very happy about it.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you guys would have to go with. I didn’t mean to put you out,” Emma said softly.

Levi’s eyes met hers in the backseat. “We’re fine. Kyle’s just mad because he’s away from Madison. We’ll be fine. You just stay safe.”

Emma just stared at the man. She hardly ever heard him say anything. “Okay,” she said. She sat there a few moments longer before Kyle turned in his seat to look at her.

“Are you going in? Or did we bring you all this way just so you could sit in the car?” he asked.

“Sorry,” Emma said. “I’m just trying to work up the courage to go in.”

Kyle’s face softened. “You’ll be fine, Emma. I’m sorry I was being a jerk. You look beautiful. Go on in and have a good time,” he said.

Emma felt like she might tear up. Kyle was like the big brother that Alecshouldhave been. She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said softly. Then she put her hand on the door and opened it. Levi was there a moment later to help her out of the car. He held his hand out to her, and Emma placed hers in his. Immediately a bright light filled her vision. She quickly dropped his hand and waited for her eyes to adjust. She looked up at him and saw the bewildered look on his face. She really needed to figure out why that happened when she touched some of these guys. But for now, she needed to get to her date. She slid out of the car, unassisted. Levi closed the door behind her and walked her into the restaurant.

Emma stepped inside the nice restaurant and looked around for Kevin. She didn’t see him anywhere. “I don’t see him yet. I’ll just wait here for him. You don’t have to wait with me,” she said to Levi.

Levi’s eyes scanned the restaurant. “I’ll wait,” he said.

They waited for at least fifteen or twenty minutes. Emma was really thinking she’d been stood up when Kevin came in the door. “Hey, sorry I’m late,” he said as he came towards her. “You look ravishing,” he said and bent to kiss her cheek.

“Thanks,” Emma said softly.

She turned to tell Levi he could leave, but he was already gone. She glanced around but didn’t see him anywhere. Kevin approached the hostess and asked for a table. They were soon seated. “I’m sorry I’m late. The life of a police officer. What can I say?” he asked with a charming smile.

Emma smiled at him. “No problem.” She picked up her menu, thankful to have something to do. After glancing through the menu several times, she decided to get a grilled chicken salad. Everything else made her stomach queasy. She was more nervous than she thought.

The waitress came and took their order and their menus. Emma felt like her security blanket was gone. She took a sip of water. “So, how was your day?” Kevin asked, sitting back looking relaxed.

“It was good. The shop was really busy, so that’s good,” she said.

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