Page 67 of Engulfing Emma

The man sitting next to her stands up and reaches across the table to shake my hand. “Jordan Kincaid,” he says. “I owe you a huge debt of gratitude for saving my fiancée.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” Jordan asks. “It’s the least I can do.”

“I’m all set, but thanks for the offer. Emma, can I talk to you for a second?” I motion to the hallway by the bathrooms.

The waitress comes over with their food.

“Sorry,” Emma says. “Our food is here, and I’m starving. Maybe some other time.”

Jeez, Justin was right. She’s giving me the cold shoulder. Maybe she doesn’t want her friends to know we’ve seen each other. But why? “I guess I’ll see you around then.”

I overhear some of her friends scolding her as I return to the bar.

“Didn’t go so well, huh?” Denver asks, handing me a fresh beer.

“I don’t get it. She acted like we hadn’t spent time together walking to the school.”Not to mention the time we spent in her bed.

“Maybe that’s her boyfriend,” Bass says.

“It’s not. He’s engaged to one of the other women at the table.”

“Forget her, man,” Justin says. “Let’s just watch the rest of the game.”

I can’t forget her. And I can’t help looking her way every chance I get. She doesn’t glance back, however. Not one single time.

~ ~ ~

I can’t fall asleep. I roll over and look at the clock. It’s eleven-thirty. I still don’t get it. Why did Emma treat me like that at the restaurant?

I get out of bed and go to the dark living room. Looking out the window, I see a dim glow coming from Emma’s room that tells me she hasn’t gone to sleep yet. I get out my phone and text her for the first time.

Me: Emma, this is Brett. Can we talk?

Emma: I wasn’t aware I’d given you my number.

No hello. No apology for blowing me off. What the hell did I do to her?

Me: I may have called myself from your phone when you excused yourself to use the bathroom at dinner last night.

Emma: How resourceful.

Me: Did I do something wrong?

Emma: Maybe you should ask your wife.

Amanda?What does she have to do with this?

Me: Ex-wife. And what does Amanda have to do with this?

Emma: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.

Me: Can you just talk to me? Come to the window please. I’m downstairs.

Emma: I’ve done enough looking out of windows lately. Goodbye, Brett.

Me: Emma, come on. What’s the problem?

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