Page 144 of The Snowball Effect

Confused, Emma looked at Brynn, then followed where Brynn’s gaze had landed.

She shouldn’t be surprised, and yet, she was. Because there Regan stood, about ten feet away from the entrance of their building, her arms crossed over her chest like she was trying to contain herself.

And most likely, Emma knew, she was. Regan’s smile was full-wattage as she spotted Emma, lighting up not only her face but just… the areaaroundher, if that was even possible.

“Like I said, perfect timing,” Regan echoed her text as she walked closer, closing the distance between them. More like bounced closer, the frenetic energy coming off of her in waves. “Hi, Brynn.”

“Hello to you, too, Regan. Great to see you again,” Brynn commented, a sly grin on her face as Regan sidled up to Emma.

Much like when she’d picked Emma up from work all those weeks ago to go out to dinner, Regan settled right into Emma’s personal space. Regan’s arm pressed into hers, her hips angled toward Emma as well. Unlike the last time, Emma didn’t put any space between them. She didn’t feel the urge to, even with Brynn staring at them.

Being this close to Regan now felt… normal. She liked it, and she was in far too deep to deny that to either herself or Regan, now.

“I would love to stay and chat, but we have to head out,” Regan informed Brynn with an apologetic wince. “But next time we run into each other, I’d love to chat more.”

“Go, go,” Brynn shooed them. “Have fun on your date.”

Regan blinked after Brynn for a long second as Brynn started to walk away, before she looked up at Emma. Those dark eyes were wide, looking at Emma with surprise. “You told her?”

Feeling a twinge of embarrassment, Emma shrugged. “It’s not a huge deal. We’re… friends.”

Slowly, Regan tilted her head, as that smile – even more wattage than before – returned. “You and Brynn are friends! And you told her that we’re going on a date.”

“That’s what I said,” Emma murmured, but she couldn’t deny that Regan’s joy was infectious.

Regan slid her hand down, lacing their fingers together. It wasn’t the first time they’d held hands, not by a long shot. But it was the first time that they were doing it forthem, and not because Regan was offering her comfort or because they were operating as fake-girlfriends.

They both stared down at their hands for a few seconds, and Emma had to believe that Regan was thinking the same thing she was. That this felt so… comfortable. Like they slotted together so perfectly, and they didn’t have to brush it off or focus on playing a part.

Doing everything she could to try to stay grounded – this might be a date, but it was also a test run, Emma reminded herself – she cleared her throat to gain Regan’s attention. “So… have you just been waiting out here or…?”

Regan laughed, leaning into Emma’s side. “Only for, like, ten minutes. I didn’t know when you were going to get out of the office today; if you were out at five, then I could have just met you at home. But once the clock hit five-thirty, I figured it was better to meet you instead.”

With that, Regan used their hands to gently tug Emma, leading her down the street.

Amused, Emma stared at the side of Regan’s face. “So, the mystery event tonight is on a schedule.”

“Yes, it’s scheduled,” Regan confirmed, wiggling her eyebrows at Emma. “But that’s all you’re getting from me about it.”

“Hmm,” Emma hummed in thought. “It’s kind of risky, given that I might not have gotten out of work until even later than this,” she pointed out.

Because it was true. Yes, it was rare that Allegra needed her to be in-office until seven or eight, but it had happened.

Regan nodded. “It was risky, but it’ll be worth it,” she promised. “Besides, it’s a Wednesday. You don’t usually work later than six on Wednesdays.”

Emma couldn’t refute that, or even pretend to be surprised that Regan had noticed and memorized that fact.

“You’re really hyping this date up,” she quietly mused, still studying Regan’s profile, as if she’d be able to read her mind.

“It’s because I’mprettttyconfident about it,” Regan shot back, and the grin that darted over her face was sharp and knowing and, indeed, confident. Something about it kick-started that sparking heat inside of Emma, similar to that feeling from Monday night in their apartment.

They’d been very good, very appropriate, for the remainder of Monday night, as well as all day yesterday. Emma was sticking true to her word – she’d see how the date went, but shewasn’tgoing to indulge in anything else before this.

It didn’t mean she hadn’t wanted to, though.

They’d had dinner together last night, then had sat so close on the couch. No closer than they usually did, but… it was already different. The air around them felt so much heavier, and every single part of Emma was on high alert around Regan. Her body responded to every brush against Regan’s as if it were Monday night all over again. As if she’d just heard Regan moaning and swearing as she neared an orgasm, as if they’d just shared the most intense kiss of her life.

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t incredibly relieved that Regan had announced their date would be so soon, because shewasn’t sure how they’d push through with any boundaries intact if they had to wait even longer.

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