Page 5 of Call It Unexpected

“In fact, I should get back soon,” she said, her smile fading. “I have some errands to run and homework to do.”

“Oh.” In her company, I’d forgotten about the piles of work I had waiting for me, and now I couldn’t help but wish she’d forgotten about hers. I needed to know more about this girl who took time to enjoy the sun, who didn’t shrink from animals, and who made my day appear brighter.

“Any chance I can talk you into staying longer today?” Not wanting to sound as desperate as I felt, I winked and joked, “Milo behaves much better when you’re around.”

She glanced at the pup, who snored with his head in her lap. “Well…”

I decided to go for broke. “I’ll make it worth your while. There’s a little vendor at the edge of the park. He sells frozen drinks, and the Mocha Frappe is definitely worth the time.”

Her hands twisted in her lap as she bit her lip.

I held up my hands. “I promise I’m not a creep. I just feel bad that Milo interrupted your quiet time. You should let me make it up to you.”

“Oh.” She stared at the ground. “You don’t have to do that.” My hopes were dashed until she peeked up at me with a dazzling smile. “But I’d like it anyway.”

All the weight since my father’s call lifted. Grinning, I stood and held out my hand.

She stared at my hand long enough I was worried she’d changed her mind. Milo’s not-so-soft snore from her lap made us both look at the pup who’d worn himself out earlier. Laughing, she moved the sleeping dog and accepted my hand.

When I gave a slight tug to help, she stumbled right into my arms. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome.

Despite her long legs, she was shorter than I’d expected, the top of her soft brown hair barely reaching my chin. I was trying to register so many things at the same time—the light vanilla scent of her warm skin, sparkling brown eyes the color of the dark honey gathered in the nearby foothills, hair a lighter shade of the same nectar, and perfectly plump lips that begged to be kissed until they were swollen and begging for more.

“Oh!”

“Oh,” I mimicked softly, staring down as her beautiful face lifted to mine. I wanted to say something witty, something apologetic…anything. But somewhere, my brain had turned to mush. I didn’t even know her name, and already I wanted her to be mine.

It was more than her pretty looks. Her reactions, her laughter, her shyness; it was a refreshing change from most of the girls on campus and in my parents’ circle of friends, the ones my father had no qualms shoving in my face if he thought it would make a good alliance.

Milo woke up with a “Woof,” and the moment was broken.

She took a step back and held out her hand. “I’m Emalee.” Her southern cadence drew out her name.

Her hand was soft, but her grip was firm. “A cute name,” I repeated from her comment earlier. “Nice to meet you, Emily, the dog whisperer.”

Her brown eyes twinkled as if she was amused. It was then I realized I was staring at her, still holding her hand while she was trying to take it back. I didn’t let go. Not yet.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “It’s Emalee, like Emma Lee, but all run together. Not that it matters since you don’t know me, and we probably won’t see each other after today, but I—”

“It matters,” I assured her. “And let’s not rule anything out about the future right now.”

Two hours later, after the promised coffee and even more promising conversation, I tried to convince her to meet me in the same spot tomorrow afternoon after her classes. “I’ll bring Milo,” I promised, seeing how she’d fallen in love with the pup.

She knelt in front of Milo and rubbed his face as he sat like the well-behaved dog he was not. “What do you say, Milo? Should I come?”

His response was a sloppy lick across her lips.

Lucky dog!

Laughing as she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, she said, “Okay. I’ll be here.” As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder, smiled, and waved her fingers.

Once she was out of sight, I grabbed my phone and dialed a number. There would be fallout for sure, but it would be worth it.

My dad didn’t answer his phone. I took the coward’s way out and left a message with his secretary, informing him I wouldn’t be able to make dinner tomorrow night after all, implying I had a student government meeting that required my specific negotiating skills.

The last part, at least, was true.

I needed to convince Emalee to continue to see me.

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