Page 48 of You Found Me
“Emmy, that’s amazing. I hope you know I’ll help in any way I can. Even if I’m just your sweet treat dealer.”
“Thank you, Spence,” she says with a smile. “Oh, wait. What happened yesterday after dropping me at work? We got to the apartment before you could tell me.”
Laughing, I tell her about the interactions with Serena and Ginger. And while she laughs, it isn’t her usual, carefree laugh. It feels a little forced.
“Sounds like we need to go on a date in town. Otherwise, the vultures will continue to surround you,” Emmaline says in a perturbed tone.
“I saw a flyer for the Fall Festival this weekend. We could make our Meadow Springs debut there.”
“Oh my gosh, yes. I’ve missed going. We can even post more photos of us. Really put it out there that we’re together.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say as we’re pulling into the hospital parking lot. “But are you sure you want to post more? He might pull the same crap he did after our first date.”
A few days after she posted the picture from our date, Chance posted a slideshow of photos of the two of them on all of his socials. Including pictures from after they’d gotten engaged with the caption saying things like: Can’t wait to marry this beautiful woman.
When I asked her if she was okay with everything, she said yes, and it was fine that he’s posting stuff. Her logic is if he’s doing that, he’s not directly harassing her.
But I see it for what it is, he’s laying claim on her. And there’s this part of me—definitely the less intelligent part—that wants to claim her as my own. I mean, I know I’m not what she wants. She just ended a long relationship and wants to focus on herself, as well as her friends. But . . . I still want to be what she needs.
“He might,” she answers my question as she unbuckles her seatbelt. “It’ll be okay though.”
I get out quickly, making my way over to her door. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will. I’ll see you later tonight?”
“I’ll be here. Have a good day at work,” I say, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
Smiling, she says, “You too, Spence.”
***
Work was pretty chill in comparison to the last two days.
I’m still just as exhausted, which is why I’ve been staring at the contents of my fridge for the last ten minutes trying to decide what I want for dinner. A knock on my door pulls me out of my contemplation. I’m not expecting anyone so I’m not sure who it is. When I open the door and Ginger is standing there, I’m surprised.
More surprised that she’s in a long, black coat.
It’s September in South Carolina. There’s no need for a jacket like that and I’m scared of what’snotunderneath. If my mother had taken less care in how well-mannered she raised Beckett and me, I’d have already shut the door on her. But no, I don’t do that because that would be rude.
Instead I gently ask, “Ginger, what are you doing here?”
Rather than saying anything, she smirks, pulling the belt loose.
Good god.
I was right to be scared because she’s in nothing but tassel pasties, lace panties, and thigh-high stockings.
I feel like this could be a dream for some guys but for me, it’s a nightmare. The pasties and panties are neon green. My eyes actually hurt looking at her. She takes my staring as a good sign and tries coming inside.
I put my hand up across the door frame to stop her. “We just had a discussion about how I’m dating someone. So why are you here, dressed like that?”
“And like I said, I don’t believe you. You’ve been so adamant when rejecting anyone who comes on to you with the excuse of ‘not wanting a girlfriend,’ or ‘I need to focus on work.’ I have a hard time buying that you’re suddenly taken.”
She slowly inches her way closer to me, touching my chest, and I freeze. Luckily, my phone starts ringing and the relief I feel is instantaneous when I see Emmaline’s name.
I quickly answer, “Hey, baby girl. What’s going on?”
I hear the confusion in her voice. “Uh, hi . . . am I catching you at a bad time?”
