Page 102 of Always Be an Us

Declan

The look on Emma’s face is nothing short of comical.

Her jaw drops open and her entire face turns white, before rapidly reddening. Then she slaps her hand over her mouth, as horror bleeds into her eyes.

"I’m so sorry," she exclaims. "I didn’t know…"

She turns an accusatory look at me as if this is all my fault.

I shrug, taking a sip of coffee from the mug in my hands. "I didn’t know she would show up today either. She surprised me too."

"That’s because every time I warn you before I visit, you try your very best to be unavailable" Rachel answers with an eye roll that reminds me so much of Amelia. "This time, I decided to just show up. Amelia told me already what hotel you were staying in and since I needed a vacation anyway, after that disaster of a fashion week, I figured why not do it here?" Her gaze darts around the room, and she frowns. "Although this isn’t one of the nicer Marriotts I’ve been in."

"It’s the nicest thing they have in Laketown."

"Ah, right, this place is called Laketown. How quaint." Her eyes shift back to Emma with that last sentence, and she seems to scan her from head to toe. Emma reddens even more.

"I’ll go change," she practically squeaks and spins around.

"Oh no, please don’t," Rachel says, holding out a placating hand. "I think that shirt actually looks good on you. More than good actually. Your curves do it justice and give the shirt a nice silhouette." She gestures to her slender physique. "I never understood the point of wearing your boyfriend’s shirt before, because it always just swam around my frame. But I think I get it now." She peers at her even closer, rubbing her chin. "In fact, you’re giving me an idea for a new collection."

"And who gave you permission to use my girlfriend as your muse?" I ask and Emma turns shocked eyes to me at the word 'girlfriend'. I don't take it back though. I’ve sort of accepted the term now. Even though it’s not a perfect descriptor for our relationship, it’s all anybody else needs to know about us.

But she won't be my girlfriend for much longer.

God, even just thinking about it drags me down like a weight, so I put it out of my mind for now.

"I don’t need permission," Rachel replies. "It's the twenty-first century. A woman can admire another woman’s body without being condemned to the gallows."

It’s my turn to roll my eyes. "That’s not what I meant, and you know it."

She smirks and then sticks out her hand to Emma. "I’m sorry. We’re being rude. My name is Rachel by the way, I’m Amelia’s mom. After my daughter told me about her father’s fun new girlfriend, I had to come check you out myself. Forgive my nosiness."

"Um…hi," Emma says with a tentative smile. She takes her hand albeit awkwardly. "I'm Emma. And don't worry about it. Everyone down here is kinda nosy too."

I go to stand at her side, drawing her against me for support. My ex can be a force of nature when she wants to be and I don’t want Emma to feel intimidated by her.

Rachel doesn’t miss the move and the tiniest of smiles appears at the corner of her lips.

"I have to admit, you’re not what I was expecting," she says. "I don’t think my imagination stretches as far as I thought. But you just might be better than what I imagined."

"Thanks," Emma says and her smile turns genuine, lighting up the whole room. "I think you’re exactly what I thought though. You’re gorgeous."

"Oh, honey." Rachel expertly throws her perfectly curled brown locks over her shoulders. "This is on two hours of sleep and a sangria. You should see me at my best, after a retreat to Bali or something."

Emma chuckles but before she can respond to that, Amelia's bedroom door opens and my daughter slowly emerges.

"Why are you guys so loud?" She's grumbling under her breath, as she rubs her eyes. Then finally, she pauses and then squints at us.

"Mom?"

"Hey, sweetie." Rachel waves at her. "I came to visit."

Amelia blinks at her, then at me, and finally at Emma.

"This isn’t some kind of family meeting, right?" she says. "Is there bad news? Is grandpa dead?"

"No, honey, both your grandfathers are alive and well. I really only came to visit. And to check out your dad’s new girlfriend of course."

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