Page 133 of The Snowball Effect

Charlotte scoffed. “Your entire experience this summer comes as quite the surprise. Emma seems to have let you in to a degree to which she hasn’t even let Sutton in, after years of friendship. You’ve kissed. You’ve met all of her family – you quite literally made her sister a birthday cake. Something has shifted enough that you’veapparentlycuddled through the night – don’t think I missed that – and you felt comfortable enough to confess your feelings to her. I think it’s a fair question to ask if she reciprocates these feelings.”

When Regan heard it stated back to her likethat, it made her want to reconsider her own certainty. To look over all of their interactions with a fine-toothed comb.

Quickly, though, she dismissed those thoughts.

The faster she could figure out how to move on from this, how to make it so that her body didn’t tingle every time she and Emma touched, how to get to a place where she wasn’t giddy at the prospect of spending time with Emma, the faster life could feel normal, again. The faster she could feel comfortable in her own home, again. The faster she and Emma could dive into building an actually platonic relationship.

Also, the faster Regan couldnotget her heart crushed by continuously having to remind herself that Emma didn’t feel this way about her.

“No, she doesn’t. We’re just… friends.” Regan nodded in finality with the word. “We’re friends, and I’m happy with that.”

And shewas!

“I just need to figure out the best way to view Emma asonlya friend, so that we can all just – move on. So, what would you do?” She asked again, trying to push away Emma from her thoughts and focus on Charlotte and only Charlotte.

Charlotte continued to stare at her, lightly drumming her fingertips on the table. Finally, she answered, “Prior to Sutton, as I know you know, I’d never dealt with havingfeelingsforsomeone. When I was stressed – or, I imagine, if I’d been in your shoes and wanted to further explore my sexuality – I’d try to find someone on a dating app to have a bit of… exploratory fun with.”

Leaning back, Regan took in those words with shock. A sapphic dating app honestly hadn’t even occurred to her.

“If I were you, I’d likely create a profile on SapphicSpark. But, that’s just me.”

Could that evenwork? Was trying to explore this with a different woman the possible answer?

Like, maybe Regan had never experienced an emotional attraction to a man, but… but maybe if there was another woman out there that caught her eye – maybe she could start there?

Cautiously, she eyed Charlotte. “Maybe youarea good guide…”

twenty

“No, no.”Brynn waved away Emma when she attempted to put her credit card down to pay for their dinner bill. “This is on me.”

Narrowing her eyes, Emma didn’t give in so easily. “Come on. We can at least split it.”

Brynn slid her card into the holder and closed the book on it with asnap. “Nope. I got it. Because my number got called today, Emma, and I am passing on some of my good fortune.”

At that, Emma acquiesced. “The entertainment department isn’t going to know what hit it.”

A triumphant grin played on Brynn’s mouth. “Thank you very much. I’ll miss you, though, and your very serious attitude, and the way you pretend not to text yourroommatethroughout the day.”

Emma’s stomach clenched, and she quickly reached for her martini glass. As it was, there was only a sip left, but it was worth it to throw back andnotthink about Regan. “Well, you still have a few weeks left with me.”

“Then you’ll have to be in charge of showing Allegra’s new assistant around,” Brynn continued, blessedly not mentioning herroommateagain. “But if they get too annoying, you canalways come and visit me in entertainment. Only a couple floors away.”

“You’re too kind,” Emma dryly replied, shaking her head.

Brynn had gotten the good news from Allegra at the end of the workday. Because she was going to be utilizing Emma during the final round of Alton Fellowship interviews for the next couple of weeks, Brynn’s promotion wouldn’t officially happen until the end of August, but it was in motion.

It was a double-edged sword, watching Brynn level up and get moved to a different department, with far more writing in her future. Emma was happy for her, really. Plus, it was living, breathing proof that if Emma put in her time and performed to her best ability, it would pay off. Eventually. Butdamnif it didn’t make Emma burn inside for that eventually to become a reality.

“Thanks, by the way,” Brynn commented, taking Emma out of her thoughts. “For coming to celebrate with me after work.”

Emma stared across the small table at her, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. “You literally got promoted today.” Rolling her lips, she debated whether or not she should say her next thought, but – what the hell. “And I really do consider you somewhat of a friend.”

Brynn stared back at her, an absurd laugh bubbling up. “Really?Somewhatof a friend?”

Embarrassed, Emma shrugged. “Well, a work friend. Look, I don’t make friends super easily. So,somewhat of a friendin such a short time, coming from me, is actually an accomplishment.”

Damningly, she could see Regan so clearly in her mind’s eye. See Regan losing her shit and absolutely cackling at Emma, even as she was positive Regan would also be, well, proud of Emma.

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