Page 87 of One Night Only
I spear her with a warning glance, and she presses her lips together.
“Absolutely not,” Jenn shrieks. “It’s late, and Andy has a twenty-four-hour service.”
My shoulders relax somewhat. But I still don’t like that she’s leaving without me.
“Kids, say bye to Emily,” Jenn says as she corrals the two.
“Bye Emily,” Dotty and Jack sing.
“It was so nice to meet you guys,” she says sweetly, her gaze meeting mine.
“Bye, Emily,” I murmur softly, gaze lingering before I turn and carry Jack out of the room and up the stairs, trying not to give away just how disappointed I am to have to let her go. In a perfect world, she’d wait for me. Or she’d come up, too, and readThe Gruffalowith me. Then we’d leave together. I’d take her home. And we’d go to bed together. But sadly, this isn’t a perfect world. Maybe one day. But not tonight.
After saying goodbye to Andy and Jenn, I get into my car and start the engine. But for a moment I just sit here, staring out at the street, considering my options.
If this were a Netflix rom-com, I’d shift into gear and tear off from the curb like a bat out of hell. I’d speed through the streets of Brooklyn, narrowly avoiding cars and pedestrians, probably running a few red lights and nearly causing a six-car pile-up. I’d startle some cop sitting in his patrol car, enough for him to spill the hot coffee he's sipping, and he’d flick on his lights and start a high-speed chase. I’d spot the tail lights of the town car up ahead as it approaches the bridge, and I’d put my foot down on the gas. I’d perform some sort of Vin DieselTheFast and The Furiousmove, cutting the town car off and forcing the driver to pull up, resulting in gridlock on the Manhattan Bridge. Then I’d jump out of my car, engine still running, and I’d close the distance and yank on the back passenger door of the town car. I’d start kissing her before she even has a chance to get out, while NYPD circle up ahead in choppers that provide the spotlight to our romantic happy ever after. End credits.
I throw my head back on a groan. Because this isn’t a Netflix rom-com. This isn’t even a corny, made-for-TV midday movie rom-com. This is real life. My real life. And, more importantly,Emily’s real life. And I’ve caused enough of a scene by even showing up here tonight.
With a resigned sigh, I pull away from the curb and start the short journey home so I can call Emily and try to explain myself and whatever the hell tonight was all about to her, like an adult. But as I turn the corner onto my street, I see someone standing by the entrance to my building. A familiar blonde.
“Goldie…”
I screech to a stop, idling right there in the middle of the road, staring slack-jawed as she turns, her eyes meeting mine through the windshield. And it may not be the middle of the Manhattan Bridge, but with the engine still running, I hop out of the car like my ass is on fire.
“Is everything okay?” I manage through a rushed breath, cupping her cheeks and ducking down so I can get a good look at her. “Are you all right?”
Emily looks up at me, her big golden eyes searching mine. “I needed to see you.”
“I’m sorry about tonight,” I start, the words tumbling out of me. “I couldn’t sit back and imagine you there, withhim, Jenn and her matchmaking pushing you together. I was scared you might see that he’s perfect for you and that I’m… I don’t know… not. And I was worried you’d force yourself to choose him over me. And it was stupid and reckless, and all Robbie Mason’s dumb idea, and I know it was risky, but I just couldn’t?—”
“Dallas, stop!” Emily laughs, placing a gloved finger against my lips, silencing me.
I stare down at her, my racing heart easing the second I see her smile. Her smile has that effect on me. Her smile is my Xanax.
“I came here because I needed to talk to you,” she says again, emphasizing her words as she continues, “to tell you that—” She closes her eyes a moment, and I see her take a slow, steady breath, blowing it out between her pretty lips before that honey gaze meets mine again.
And I’m not sure if it’s her hesitation, or the look of uncertainty in her eyes, but my throat is closing in on me and my stomach is in my ass. I swallow hard, preparing for the worst as my trembling fingers tentatively tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Tell me what, baby?”
She stares into my eyes, the tip of her tongue sliding out to wet her lips. “I’m falling in love with you.”
CHAPTER 34
EMILY
Dallas gapes at me as my confession hangs in the frigid air between us. The longer the silence ensues, the more I wish I could take those words and shove them straight back into my big mouth where they belong. Too soon, Emily. Way too fucking soon.
“I’m sorry, I?—”
“Are you serious?” Dallas’s rushed question interjects whatever lame-ass apology I was about to spew.
I snap my mouth shut, clamping my lips between my teeth, and all I can do is nod like a pathetic twit, hoping he doesn’t burst out laughing.
But he doesn’t laugh. In fact, if anything, it almost looks like he’s about to start crying, his eyes gleaming beneath the glow of the street light as his gaze flits between mine. And, without saying anything, his mouth crashes against mine in a kiss so sudden and all-consuming it rips every last shred of doubt from me.
I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on for dear life as he kisses me with everything he has, swallowing every last involuntary moan and whimper. His arms envelop my waist,holding me so close, so tight, as the kiss deepens into something more than just a kiss.
Almost too quickly, Dallas tears away from me, still cupping my cheeks, his gaze imploring as he stares into my eyes, breaths rushed like he’s run a half-marathon.
