Page 49 of Between Here and There

We talked about it tonight—cleared the air, set the boundaries. Just attraction and playful flirting. And we won’t act on it.

I should be content. Relieved, even. But why does the pit in my stomach only grow deeper the longer I think about it?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Emily

Ilove weddings. There’s something about weddings that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe because of the magic that brings two people to decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together. Bon and Ryan make it look like an easy decision, but I can’t imagine loving someone enough that I’m willing to be vulnerable every day of my life.

I’m doing my hair and makeup with Haley and Kate when we see Rob pass by with Denise. She’s laughing, leaning her head back, while they’re hand in hand. I hate to admit it, but they look… happy.

Joshua is with Bon at their house. They’re busy doing family portraits, so I haven’t seen him since last night.

Oh, boy, last night. It seems like such a long time ago. But something happened last night that seems monumental for us. We openly admitted our mutual attraction to each other. I know, it sounds like the recipe for disaster. But hidden in nostalgia and the excuse of having to act here in Magnolia Heights, we both just accepted it. And just vowed to enjoy whatever we have for however long it lasts. Which is five more days.

I don’t know if that’s a good idea (probably not), but I like him, and I also don’t want to weigh us both down with expectations of what comes next. So, maybe we’re casual? Maybe we’re friends? Or maybe I don’t have to rack my brain for a label.

As I step out of the house to make my way to the community hall, I spot Joshua from the other side of the street. He gives me a wave, and I smile back. Just as I’m about to cross the road to go to him, I hear a voice call behind me.

“Emily.” I whirl and see Rob approaching me.

“What’s up?” I try to act like his mere presence doesn’t make me want to throw him in front of a bus.

“I just want to say sorry, I realize I never got the chance to.” I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure as hell was not an apology.

“Uh, thanks…” I say.

He nods, but before I can respond, his eyes flicker toward Joshua, who’s watching us from across the street. Rob’s expression hardens, and suddenly, the apology feels less like an olive branch and more like a formality. “So you can cut this out,” he says, gesturing toward Joshua and me.

“Cut what out?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“This.” He waves a hand between Joshua and me. “I know what you’re doing. Using him to get to me. Congratulations, you’ve done it. You know how I feel about the guy—always handed everything on a silver platter, always smug. You can stop now.”

I stare at him, disbelief bubbling up inside me. I scoff and say, “Excuse me?”

“Come on, you don’t really think he’s serious about you, do you?” he says.No, Rob, we’re not serious about each other.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business now.”

“Em,” Rob steps closer and attempts to touch my arm, but I swat his away before he can even get close.

“Don’t,” I say firmly.

He snorts. “Emily, he’s not the kind of guy you want. He’s… dangerous, he’s a player. He’s gonna hurt you.”

“Oh my gosh, Rob, you have to stop projecting your insecurities,” I say lightly. “You’re not any of that, and yet you were the one who cheated on me.”

He reaches out for me again, his eyes pleading. “Emily.”

“Stop,” I say. Once again, I take a step back, but this time, I bump into Joshua’s chest, which is probably made of cement.

“She said stop,” Joshua says calmly.

“Joshua, this isn’t—” Rob starts.

“Yeah, it is,” Joshua cuts him off, stepping closer. He’s a head taller than Rob, his posture relaxed yet commanding. “You’ve said your piece. Now walk away.”

Joshua, when he’s like this, reminds me of how he was back when I was a teenager. The protectiveness. The commanding presence. The way he can control a situation just by standing there. He’s so…hot.I shake my head. I’mnotgoing down that road today.

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