Page 52 of Between Here and There

We stand up, and we make our way to the table we share with Kate, Haley, and Richard.

“Were youworking?” Kate asks Emily as we take our seats. “Wall Street really is so busy!”

Emily just chuckles, gives me a look, then says, “It so is.” I give her a small smile, which she returns. It’s nice to know that I’m the only person who knows the truth. It’s like our little secret. Much like this act we have going on.

Once Bon and Ryan arrive and the host announces their first dance, the music begins and they start to move together, laughing when Ryan stumbles slightly before finding his rhythm.

At our table, Emily is quiet. Too quiet. I glance her way and catch her fidgeting with the table napkin beside her plate, folding and unfolding the edges with restless fingers. It’s subtle, but after spending so much time with her, I’ve come to recognize her tells. She fidgets when she’s anxious—on the plane, at Lily’s when she admitted to feeling the weight of being responsible, her drunk confessions, and the time we kissed in front of Rob.

She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the tension radiating off her. It’s like she’s trying to keep it together while something beneath the surface threatens to break free. I know she just needs a small anchor, something to hold onto. And I’ve decided that, whenever I can, I’ll be that.

Slowly, I snake my hand under hers, brushing my fingers against hers before lacing them together. The moment our hands connect, the fidgeting stops. Her grip tightens around mine, just slightly, and when she looks at me, there’s a flash of relief in her eyes.

Her lips curve into a small, grateful smile. I don’t know what’s making her anxious about tonight, but I don’t ask. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Emily

“Awhat?” I say, squinting as I try to make sense of the words coming out of Bon’s mouth. The sudden call to meet up in front of her new place was already surprising enough, and my brain is still in a fog after staying up late with endless client emails. And champagne. And thoughts of Joshua Santiago, but that one happens every night, so no need to point it out!

“A hiking trip!” Bon repeats, practically bouncing with excitement. Her gaze shifts between me and Joshua, as though she’s already decided we’re on board with her wild plan.

I stare at her, hoping I misheard. “Can you say that again? Because I swear I keep hearing ‘hiking trip.’” We’re all gathered in Bon and Ryan’s living room. Well, whatwill betheir living room after they unpack all these boxes. Honestly, I’m so confused as to why they didn’t do it earlier. If it were me, I would’ve spent my wedding night making sure all the things were in the right places. To be honest, I wouldn’t let the unpacking reach my actual wedding day, because I would’ve already fixed and decorated the home by then.

“Sheissaying hiking trip,” Ryan chimes in as he comes down the stairs, looking a little embarrassed. “Our honeymoon is supposed to be in Europe, but... I might have booked the wrong dates. So we have a week of pre-honeymoon free time.”

“Which is why,” Bon jumps in, “before you two head back to New York, we should all go on a hiking trip!” Her face lights up as she loops her arm through Ryan’s, as though the idea itself is a gift she’s giving us.

Joshua raises an eyebrow. “And you thought of this, how?”

Bon gives him a pointed look. “We need a final group bonding experience! You two are leaving, we’re heading to Europe, Haley’s off to a new stage production, and Kate’s going to be buried under lesson plans with her new class. This might be our last big hurrah for a while!”

Before I can retort, Haley and Kate barge in. Haley holds her phone up and says, “What does ‘hjkong trup’mean?” She’s referring to the excited text Bon sent us fifteen minutes ago, which prompted me to sprint here.

“Hiking trip. As in, tomorrow,” Bon says with a mischievous grin.

“Ooooh, I’m in,” Haley exclaims, but Kate frowns.

I groan, leaning against the stack of boxes. “So you think that’s a better way to spend your weekend than to, I don’t know, unpack all these boxes?” Seriously, though. I’d volunteer to unpack these.

“Yup. Half my clothes are in suitcases, ready for Europe anyway.” Bon shrugs.

I glance over at Joshua, who just shrugs too, clearly not planning to argue. Kate narrows her eyes at me, already challenging me silently to come up with a good reason to bail, but I know Bon—if she’s made up her mind, we’re doing this.

Kate suddenly comes into view, waving her hand. “I’m sorry, hi, good morning,” she interjects. “Hiking? Do we look like a group that hikes? Need I remind you, Bon, that you’re the type of person who’d rather endure her thirst than go back down a flight of stairs.” Bon sticks her tongue out.

I point to Kate and look at Bon. “She has a point. We do not have hiking experience.”

“I do,” Joshua says. I glare at him.

“Okay, but did we think this through?” I say, crossing my arms. “What trail are we taking? Do we have gear, tents, the right shoes? And the weather—what if it rains? And bugs! There’s a whole lot you didn’t mention, Bon.”

Bon waves a hand dismissively. “Okay, Mama Em. How about let’s just try to be excited?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t be thrilled about what may or may not be the day I die.”

The room falls quiet for a second, and then Ryan, trying to suppress a laugh, says, “Come on, it’ll be fun. A little nature, some exercise—it’s not a death sentence.”

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