Page 189 of There's No Us Without You
Sighing, I mull over Emerson’s words.
Makes sense. She could use the money she’s saved—and won—for renovations, and the two of us can fund the rest.
It may seem premature to make such a commitment, but fuck if I’m not all in. Besides, no-one wants to owe money to a bank. That way, all the profits go back into the restaurant. And the way she throws herself into her food, I know she’ll make that place something special.
“Well,” I say, running a hand through Emerson’s curls, “maybe you aren’t such a selfish prick after all.”
Huffing out a laugh, he bites my nipple through my shirt. “Easy on the insults. I’m still fragile.” His body convulses, the fever taking hold, and he winces. “See? Fragile.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just get some rest. We’ll discuss the restaurant when you aren’t a fucking nightmare.”
FIFTY-FOUR
Eden
I havemy hands in a sink full of hot soapy water, washing up the last of the items that don’t fit in the dishwasher, when my phone goes off with a text message.
It’s either Will or Emerson, although I’m leaning more towards it being Will, considering he’s been messaging me all day to make sure I’m okay.
I wipe my hands on my apron and pull my phone from the back pocket of my black pants. The messageisfrom Will, so I open it up.
Will: Hey Sunshine, Emerson is home. He’s not in a good way. Just thought I’d let you know x
Tears sting my eyes, so I blink them back as I sink onto the wet floor of the restaurant kitchen.
It’s just me; everyone else is already gone. Smith offered to help finish the clean-up, but I told him I needed some alone time.
He eventually left, but only after making me promise to call him if I needed anything.
Even after what happened on Wednesday, my feelings for Emerson haven’t changed. Call me stupid because I’m sure most women would leave after something like that, but I can’t bring myself to do it—that wasn’t the man I’ve come to know.
I’ve seen inside his heart. That wasn’t the person who came to my rescue when I sobbed into my pillow that very first week of moving in. He held me, didn’t judge me, and listened as I told him how my mother is a traitorous snake who manages to sink her fangs into any unsuspecting man.
It’s taken a couple of days for me to comprehend the situation, and I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t thought about what would have happened if Will didn’t come to my rescue when he did.
Emerson would have stopped himself—at least that’s what I tell myself because the alternative is incomprehensible.
Then there are the pictures of him and another woman in Will’s bar. I remember her from Tyler’s party, so it’s likely Emerson knows her already.
It almost broke me to see them plastered all over the internet this morning, but Will also warned me they may come out, so I guess I was prepared for something.
It still changes nothing. No matter what Emerson has done, I’m going to stick by him because that’s what you do when you love someone.
You don’t tell them to suck it up because it’s easier for you when you don’t have to witness someone else’s emotions.
I swipe at a tear on my cheek with the back of my hand while I type a message back to Will.
Me: Be home soon x
He doesn’t respond, but that’s not unusual, so I finish tidying up before grabbing my bag and locking the front door.
Then I take the long way home.
When I pull into the driveway, I take a deep breath and stare up at the house I’ve come to call my home.
So much has happened these last five weeks, but I also don’t remember myself before I met the boys. I’ve grown up in ways I never imagined existed, been exposed to things I knew nothing about. But above all else, I fell head over heels in love with not one, but two polar-opposite men.
Ones who make me feel beautiful and sexy in my own skin. Ones who have never dared put me down or make me question my actions.
