Page 52 of The Heir

“No, it doesn’t matter; he’s annoying. He’s a family friend, and he checks in on me from time to time. Don’t worry; he won’t bother me again at school. I will make sure of that.” She was still frowning.

“Is he dangerous?” I didn’t want my new friend to get hurt.Can I help her?

“No, he is allbark. Really, Emma, don’t worry. I can handle him,” she said with a flick of her wrist.

“Okay, if you are sure,” I said.

She nodded, then smiled.

Is this a good time to ask her about going shopping with Mary and me? Now or never, I thought.“So, do you want to go dress shopping with my Aunt Mary and me?”

“For Homecoming!?” she asked, jumping slightly up and down.There is the Ash I know.“Yes,” I smiled. Her enthusiasm was addictive.

She frowned. “I don’t have a date yet.”

“Well, it’s still early, and Sam is in love with you. I am sure he will ask you, soon,” I said playfully.

“Sam? Are you sure? I do like him,” she giggled.

“So, you wanna come with us?”

“Even if I don’t go to the dance, I would love to come, yes! I haven’t been to a formal event, or even seen formal dresses insolong,” She added with a sigh of longing and her hand pressed to her heart. “That boy better ask me soon!” She smiled.

“I am sure he will. See you at lunch.”

“Bye!” she called in her sing-song voice.

I walked down the hall to my locker. I turned the dial to enter my combination when Shad came up from behind me. I didn’t see him right away, but I knew he was there because the familiar song began playing in my head. I turned when I saw him, and smiled. I loved the connection we had, even if I didn’t understand it.

“Good morning,” I said with a full smile, still facing my locker.

“Good morning,” he replied from behind me.

I turned to look at him as I closed my locker.

“Um, Emma?” Shad asked.

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you need your books?”

I grunted, turned, and opened my locker again. “You know, if you didn’t distract me so much with that beautiful face—” I stopped turning the dial and clasped a hand over my mouth.

“So you think my face is beautiful?” he said, sounding amused as he stepped to the side of me.

“No, boys aren’t beautiful,” I said, unzipping my backpack and shoving my books inside, not making eye contact with him.Gah, why do I have to be so embarrassing?

“No, except for me?” He sounded all too happy.

I shook my head. “Shad—” I embarrassingly whined.

He took my hand and entangled our fingers, making me finally look up at his bright eyes and handsome smile. “Sorry, Emma, I like your blush too much. I will trynotto tease you.” He winked.

“I embarrass myself enough on my own, you know. You don't need to make the embarrassment last longer,” I fake pouted. He touched my bottom lip, and I felt an electric shock pulse through me, there.

“You are not embarrassing. Not at all.”

I was still frozen in place with my eyes locked onto Shad’s as he pressed his finger against my lips, tracing them so softly, and all I wanted was for him to bend down and press those soft, perfect lips against mine. He leaned closer.

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