Page 135 of You Found Me
I hear her before I see her. Looking up from my phone, I watch as she laughs with a coworker before saying bye. Emmy presses the starter button on her car and when it starts, she looks up in surprise to see me leaning against the hood. I throw a little wave at her, accompanied by a smirk, causing her to shake her head with a smile.
“I thought I told you that you didn’t have to pick me up? I mean, you are sitting on my car which means you know I drove here,” I watch as she looks around. “Where’s your truck?”
“Beckett dropped me off. I miss playing chauffeur,” I shrug. “What can I say? Besides, it’s your birthday and I wanted to bring you a present.”
Her eyes light up as she looks at my empty hands before smirking. “Oh? If it’s in your pants, I wouldn’t quite call it a present.”
I can’t help it, I throw my head back in laughter, causing her to laugh as well. “I think you’ve been living with Mia too long.”
“Definitely. She’s always been a fun influence. When I get my own place, I’ll miss her shenanigans.”
I school my face. “You’re planning to move out?”
“You probably think I’m crazy to do that right when my work hours are going to be cut down because of the graduate program. I just thought it’d be good for me.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy. I actually get it. Now, let’s head to Theo’s so we can countdown to the new year.”
She smiles. “Good, because I’m actually excited to get my present.”
Giving what I hope is a convincing smile, I say, “We’ll see if you like it.”
***
I’m not sure why Emmaline’s so surprised that everyone’s here for her birthday and not for New Year’s Eve.
But when she walked in to see balloons and streamers with a happy birthday banner, shock was written all over her beautiful face. After eating some pizza from Anatoli’s, we brought out her cake that Piper and Beckett made together earlier today.
It’s their take on a cinnamon roll—just in the form of a cake and honestly, the batter was delicious. Susannah and Andrew sat on each side of her, smothering her with hugs as we sang. Emmy looked embarrassed but she couldn’t stop smiling.
Later, when we’re minutes away from midnight, I get a text from Shiloh.
Shiloh
I let my journalist friend, Quinn Morgan, know about Emmaline wanting to give her story to someone and I think she’s the best person to do it. I can set it up for her if you’d like.
That would be great actually.
And she wouldn’t have to worry about it. Emmy doesn’t have anything next week.
Shiloh
Cool beans. I will call her tomorrow to set it up.
Do you think she’d rather do it in Meadow Springs?
Probably. We could do it at Blossom Brews.
Shiloh
Sounds good. I’ll let her know then send you the date and time.
Thanks.
When I catch Emmy glancing at my phone, she tries to quickly look away. Chuckling, I show her the texts. I have nothing to hide. She smiles and reads the messages.
“Thank you for setting this up for me. It would mean a lot to me if you were there when I talked to the journalist.”
“Of course, Buttercup.”
