Page 68 of Call it Fate

She was quiet as I pulled into one of the spaces reserved for The Dogtrot. I knew my suggestion would take some thought, but I really wanted a chance to show her and Iain life outside of Sterling Mill.

I knew they loved it here. Hell, it was even growing on me. But they didn’t know what other opportunities they might have away from here. And if I got the surgical internship, I wanted Em to be able to make a fair decision based on experience and not just my word for it.

Finally, she turned in her seat to face me. “Can I think about it? We have a couple of weeks. I admit it would be wonderful to spend that time together, and Iain would be so excited. But it’s a lot to arrange. I have to talk to Mama and Shannon.”

She didn’t know I’d already talked to Shannon and knew she was on board. I’d proposed the idea to Raelyn, too, but she was slower to agree. But I think she saw I was dedicated to her daughter and grandson, and she’d come around to the idea if Emalee wanted this. I almost felt bad going behind Em’s back, but this was something I really wanted, and I didn’t want obstacles to stand in my way if I could mitigate them ahead of time.

“Talk to them. I won’t say anything to Iain, but we both know he’ll probably be up for an adventure.”

Her laugh flowed over me like a balm. “He would indeed.”

She waved as she walked into her side of the old home. I blew her a kiss and drove back to my rental, already hating how empty it would feel without her there.

CHAPTER30

Zach

“You’re still not going to tell me where we’re going?” Em stood at the bottom of the stairs with her arms crossed, but her pout had no impact on me at all.

“Nope.”

She could give a lesson to Iain on eye rolling. Apparently, the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree. “Well, could you at least tell me if I’m dressed appropriately?”

Mondays were her mornings off, and I asked her to spend it with me for a surprise. I’d asked the girls at the front desk not to schedule any appointments for me, and when they learned why, they were eager to comply. I’d told Em to wear something casual, nothing that couldn’t get dirty. She’d tucked the front of a cute long-sleeved shirt with three bands of colors into her jeans, allowing the button-fly front to show off her flat stomach. A pair of knee-high brown leather boots showcased her legs.

“You look hot.” My dick was already hard, and my tongue was practically watering as I imagined undoing each one of those buttons later. I hooked a finger in a belt loop and pulled her close for a kiss. She immediately responded, her irritation seeming to melt away.

I smacked her on the ass. “Come on. We need to get going.”

Two hours later, I stopped in a small town called Bristol. The main street didn’t look too different from Sterling Mill.

“Are we here to meet my Uncle Brock or something?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve never been here, but I know there’s a speedway here. The first race Brock won was in this town. My cousin is named for this place.”

“He named her for a racetrack?”

She smacked my chest. “No, silly. He named her in honor of the win since it’s also the day her mom told her dad she was pregnant.”

“I see. Anyway, no. They don’t have anything to do with why we’re here. Come on. I want to show you something cool.” I caught her hand and pulled her across the street. “Now, you’re in Virginia.”

I laughed at the confusion on her face. “This town straddles the border of Tennessee and Virginia. On that side of the street,” I tipped my head in that direction, “is Bristol, Tennessee. On this side is Bristol, Virginia. The centerline down the street literally divides the town into two different states.”

“That’s so crazy!” She laughed, and after checking for traffic, walked into the street and stood with one foot on either side of the line. “Hey, look! I’m in two states at one time.” She darted back across the street—to the Virginia side—and smiled at me. “This is fun, but please tell me we didn’t drive two hours just for this.”

“Nope.” A vehicle drove past and honked at us. “Just in time. Come on.”

I guided her down the sidewalk, following the Land Rover until it found a parking place.

“Zach, what’s going on?” she questioned, her expression wrinkled with concern.

Just as we approached, a couple emerged from the vehicle. The driver kept a neutral face, but the woman broke out into a huge smile.

“Zach! I’m so glad to see you again. It’s been a long time.” She engulfed me in a hug, her graceful frame deceptively strong.

She transferred her grin to Emalee, whose returned smile was dimmed with uncertainty. I knew that would change as soon as I explained the situation to her. “Em, meet Grace Carter and her husband, Jax.”

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