Page 67 of Splintered Memories
My slight annoyance at the amount of people in the room didn’t seem to matter, though, because when Reid walked in, Lark at his side, they did nothing but smile.
They were definitely surprised, but it didn’t seem like a bad one as the group celebrated them and their coming marriage.
Though gifts had not been expected, it seemed like people didn’t care because they had been stacking up on a table in the corner.
The room showered them in love and excitement. Although I was so happy for my little brother—he deserved all the happiness in the world—I only had eyes for one person in this room.
I wasn’t sure how I expected Emersyn to act at this party, but I was pleasantly surprised that she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. The moment Lark had arrived, she’d flung herself at her, clutching herwith excited giggles. Whenever Emersyn was able to steal her away from Reid, she dragged Lark onto the dance floor.
I wasn’t much of a dancer myself, but I couldn’t refuse Hailey when she demanded my company during multiple songs.
As the night wore on, Emersyn and I only saw each other in passing. Our eyes would meet as we passed each other on the dance floor, or from across the room as one of us was grabbing a drink or something to eat.
She was a bright spot in the place with that dress on. Everyone knew it. I wasn’t the only one looking at her tonight.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I tried to shake off a clinging Hailey.
“Uncle Gus! One more dance! This song is the best one!” she shouted at me as I tried to escape the dance floor.
“That’s what you said about every song, baby girl.” I carefully pried her little clutches from my pants leg.
She whined. “You’re the funnest dancer. Uncle Reidsy is the next, but he’s too busy with Lark.” She rolled her eyes, a bit perturbed for a six-year-old.
I was pretty sure I was the worst dancer and she just thought it was hilarious to watch me.
I shook my head. “I’m going to have to sit the next few songs out. I really have to go to the bathroom.”
Hailey let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine!” She turned on her heel and scampered back to where Roman sat next to my father. If she managed to get her grumpy daddy on the dance floor, I was gonna have to get that girl some cake.
I swept the room again, not seeing Emersyn. I’d noted that she had been on her way toward the restrooms a few minutes ago, which was the main reason I was heading that way.
As I exited the main room and into the small hallway where the bathroom was, the music dimmed. My ears rang dully as I glanced around the space.
The small seating area at the end of the hallway was empty. Three doors lined the hallway. The two for the bathrooms, and one that was labeled as a supply closet.
I meandered down the hall, not really having to use the restroom myself, when I heard a door open.
I turned, my eyes meeting Emersyn’s. They were bright and sparkling, her lips pulled up into a lazy smile as she leaned against the wall in front of me.
“You seem to be having a good time.” I stuffed my hands in my pockets.
She nodded. “I think I actually am.”
I returned her smile, instinctively taking a step closer to her. We hadn’t spoken much tonight, and now that she was so close, I was drawn to her. Her skin glistened with a sheen of sweat from dancing. Her curls had fallen loose and hung in long tendrils down past her shoulders.
I wasn’t sure why I did it, but I stepped close enough to touch her, my eyes on hers as I brushed back a few wisps of hair that stuck to her forehead and cheeks.
“I’m glad for that. It’s good to see you smile, Emy.”
Her breath hitched, and that familiar warm amber scent of her filled my lungs. She looked even more beautiful than she had at the beginning of the night, if that was possible.
She didn’t say anything in return, but those green eyes seemed to darken. Emersyn gazed up at me from beneath her eyelashes. Something had shifted in the way she looked at me. It had my heart trembling against my ribs, as if she were suddenly a huntress laying eyes on her prey.
Emersyn straightened, closing the small gap that separated us. Her body was warm and soft against mine as she leaned into me.
She pushed up on her toes, bringing her mouth so close to mine I could almost taste her. My own lungs seized at her proximity, every nerve heightened and sensitive as she murmured against my lips, “I want more than a simple smile.” She wrapped one of her hands around mine, entwining our fingers. “I want to see what else these hands can do other than be my bodyguard.”
I stiffened at the last word. Ice doused the fire she stoked in my veins. I let out a long breath, and her brow furrowed as she sensed the tension in my body.
