Page 107 of You Found Me
I assure her there’s no need to explain, we all have our own icks. Just that I was surprised this was hers.
Once everything is ready, we sit down to eat, and the conversation flows easily. She tells me more about her master’s program and how busy she’ll be. “I’m not sure how much time we’ll get to spend together once it starts because I’ll still be working and I know you’re slammed with both jobs.”
“Actually, I’d been meaning to tell you, Gavin came to me before Thanksgiving and asked what it would take to work for him full time.”
“Really? Are you considering it?” Emmy asks.
“Yeah, I am. I have to go in on Tuesday for our monthly team meeting. I’d love to work here and only here, but at the same time the other firm gave me my start.”
“I get it, you feel obligated to stick with Coleman & Jenkins but it’s okay to want to move past them and on to something better for you.”
“I know,” I sigh.” It’s just that they’ve been so understanding about me moving here and working part time with them for this job.”
“I hope you know I support you either way and I know Mr. C won’t take it personally if you decline his offer.”
“Thank you, Buttercup. And just so you know, the same goes for you.”
“I don’t recall getting a job offer from my best friend’s dad,” she grins.
“You’re such a smartass,” I mutter. “I more so meant that when you finish your program, if you want to move to the city or even somewhere new, I’d support your choice.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
Shit. Whatever joy that was on her face is now gone. “I feel like that came out in a way I didn’t intend. I only meant that I don’t want to hold you back from what you want to do. We’d be okay.”
“So, if I left, you wouldn’t be hurt?”
“Nope,” I answer before quickly adding, “and do you know why?”
She shakes her head so I continue, “If you moved, that wouldn’t mean I wouldn’t miss you. But we’d definitely be doingthis long distance until the day we are able to move in together. You’re not going to get rid of me so easily. Okay?”
I watch as she tries to hide a surprised smile before nodding.
We finish up and as I put away the last plate from dinner, Emmaline begins grabbing things out of the pantry and fridge. I knew she added groceries to the cart when we were at the store, but because I was so focused on my list, I didn’t pay attention to what she got. By the time I wipe off the table and get back to the kitchen, I realize what she’s baking.
I move quickly to her side, placing a wet kiss on her cheek, then stepping back to let her continue. “You’re the best girlfriend for making me homemade brownies.”
She turns towards me with a sweet smile. “What makes you think I’m making these for you?”
“You said before that you didn’t love caramel.”
“That was before I tasted your ice cream, I’ve become a changed woman and have been craving the flavor since then.” She looks back at the batter. “If you’re nice to me, Imightlet you have a bite.”
My lips pull up into a smile, I love when she lets her playful side out. “Oh, I can beverynice to you.” I slowly stalk closer before pressing against her back, placing my arms on either side of her. “If you want, I can show you just how nice I can be.”
When her cheeks pinken and she huffs, I feel like I won this round. I wait for her to say something but instead, she dips her index finger in the batter. “Will you taste this to make sure it tastes like the last batch I’d made?”
“Of course.”
Emmaline turns around, bringing the batter covered finger up. Right as I’m about to take it into my mouth, she swipes her finger across my forehead with a giant grin on her face.
For about two seconds, I’m shocked, in disbelief that she did that, then I throw my head back laughing. “Oh, you’ve done it now, Emmy.”
She clearly isn’t taking my words as the threat they are, so I dip into the mix and run my fingers down her cheek and across her bottom lip. We stand there staring at one another before what can only be described as chaos ensues.
She tosses a small handful of flour at my face and luckily, I turn my head at the right time, so it ends up in my hair.
Emmaline mockingly gasps, “You’re totally going to be a silver fox when we’re older.”
