Page 115 of That One Night
Maddie’s eyes were soft. “It was so lovely that he actually talked to me. That’s because of you. You’ve softened him. Made him more open.” She smiled at Emery. “I’m so grateful for that.”
“I think he did that for himself,” Emery replied, though she liked that way too much. One thing was for sure, he’d taught her to think much less. To stop worrying all the time. To learn to enjoy the moment.
They were a good team. She already knew that. Since last Saturday she’d been staying at his place. Hadn’t even bothered hiding it from her mom. Not that her mom cared. She wastoo busy packing things up to think about Emery’s sleeping arrangements.
And secretly, Emery thought she might be getting a soft spot for their soon-to-be ex neighbor. Her mom even made him some lemonade today, without being asked. Hendrix looked like he’d just won a prize when she pressed the glass into his hand.
“I’m Kate,” one of the women opposite Emery said, smiling widely at her.
“And I’m Cassie. Married to the less good looking twin.” She wrinkled her nose.
Emery laughed.
“We should get together,” Kate told Emery. “Cassie and I have a WhatsApp group you should join,.”
“What kind of group?” Emery asked her.
“A Stop-The-Hartson insanity support group. We compare what idiots the guys can be. Then we grill our husbands for all the dirt on their brothers so we can use it against them.” Cassie smiled. “It’s guerilla warfare, basically.”
Emery grinned. “Count me in.”
“Why am I not a member?” Hendrix’s mom asked. “I’m married to a Hartson, too.”
Cassie typed something into her phone. “You’re in, too.”
“Add me,” Sabrina begged. “I know I’m a Hartson, but I have to live with Hartson men. I need all the support I can get.”
Emery laughed softly.
“Everything okay?” Hendrix murmured in her ear.
“Everything is fine,” she told him. And it really was. His family was lovely. So welcoming and funny.
“You know, next time we get together, you should bring your mom,” Maddie said to Emery. “It would be lovely to get to know her a little better.”
Emery nodded, her throat tight. And for a breath or two she was silent, just appreciating this moment. Everybody wastalking over each other. Hendrix was getting teased by his brothers. And a few of the children were playing a game in the corner.
Hendrix looked up, his eyes catching hers.
“I love you,” he mouthed at her, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
“I love you too,” she mouthed back, and he gave her that little smile he always saved for her. The one that had shyness in it, and a hint of promise for later.
A promise she’d be sure to hold him to.
Epilogue
“Sweet babycorn,you must be Only Farms,” Maisie said, flinging the door open to her apartment. Her eyes scanned Hendrix from head to toe, spending extra time on his flexed biceps. They bulged perfectly as he carried one of Emery’s very overfull boxes into Maisie’s apartment.
Hendrix lifted a brow, glancing over at Emery. She shrugged, trying not to smile. “I only mentioned calling you it once.”
“It’s the perfect nickname,” Maisie told him. “Those arms deserve their own zipcode. Or possibly their own kingdom.” She winked at Emery, who shook her head.
“Can I come in, or would you like to take a few photos?” Hendrix asked, his voice full of amusement.
“I’m absolutely going to need some photos,” Maisie teased, but she stepped aside and let him walk in, squealing as she ran to Emery and gave her the biggest of hugs. “Oh my God, you didn’t tell me he’s from the GQ farm.”
“You’ve seen him on FaceTime,” Emery reminded her dryly, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She hadn’t seen her best friend for months, after all, and she was just so damn happyshe was back from her trip. Maisie was glowing, her skin tan, her eyes sparkling.
