Page 49 of Crazy In Love
I shook my head with disbelief. “And you came all the way here from Magnolia Falls just to check my bump?”
“I told you, my uncle doesn’t take no for an answer.” Cutler chuckled. “Plus, we took the copter, so it was fast.”
I knew Bridger had a helicopter because he took it all the time, and it said “Chadwick Enterprises” on the side, so it was hard to miss. But I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that they were here. For me.
“I’m so sorry. I’m totally fine. I don’t know why he asked you to come here,” I said, moving toward the kitchen. “Can I get you some hot chocolate or tea?”
“Oh… you’re my girl now, too, Emilia. Hot cocoa is my favorite.” Cutler climbed right up on the barstool at my kitchen island and smiled at me. “That means you can call me Beefcake now.”
I turned on the teakettle, and Emerson said she’d love a cup of tea and Cutler would have a hot chocolate.
“I’d be honored, Beefcake.” I winked at him.
“Okay, while we’re waiting for the water, how about I just do a quick exam. Would that be okay?” Emerson asked.
“Of course. But I promise you, I’m fine,” I insisted. My own mother wasn’t concerned, yet my newly ex-nemesis was so concerned about a bump on the head that he’d flown his sister here?
She examined the bump on my forehead, and then she held a light up to look at my pupils. She then asked multiple questions about my symptoms.
Was I nauseous?
Had I vomited after the accident or at any time since?
Was I dizzy or weak?
All of these were easily answered no, and she said to just keep an eye out for any symptoms. If I did vomit or get severely nauseated, I should go straight to the emergency room.
I agreed before pouring the water into all three mugs and setting them in front of each of us. “This was beyond kind of you. I’m very surprised that you’re here.”
Emerson smiled, and the look on her face told me she was contemplating her next words. “My brother Bridger, he doesn’t ask for favors often. Maybe never, actually.”
We both laughed, and Cutler clapped his hands together. “Yeah, my uncle Bridger doesn’t need help. He mostly likes to help us, right, Mama?”
That surprised me. I wouldn’t have guessed him to be that guy, but I didn’t know his relationship with his family. It was clear that he was fiercely protective, but I was getting a different glimpse into the broody bastard.
Emerson nodded, and her gaze softened. “He has a hard outer shell but a heart of gold beneath. He was worried about you. He said the bump on your head looked bad. I think he felt responsible, seeing as it happened in his driveway.”
“It was my fault,” I said. “I hit black ice and started sliding before I could stop myself.”
“Awww man, Emilia. That’s scary. And you didn’t stay home today and rest?” Cutler asked. He was damn cute, with his big brown eyes and dark, slicked-back hair. He wore a pair of faded jeans, cowboy boots, a gray sweater, and a leather coat. He was not your typical seven-and-a-half-year-old.
“No. I run a flower shop, and we’re going to be busy from now until Valentine’s Day.” I chuckled.
“Oh man, I love flower shops. My pops gets my mama flowers all the time. I’m going to get them for my girl when I’m grown up with a job someday,” he said, and he set his mug down. I smiled when I saw the chocolate mustache above his lip.
“Yeah? That’s a good guy right there. So do you have a girlfriend?” I asked teasingly. Emerson was watching him like he set the sun.
“I’ve got lots of girls that are my family, but I’ve only got one girl that’s mine. I’m going to marry her someday,” he said proudly.
Emerson’s head tipped back in laughter. “Well, you’re awfully young to be talking marriage.”
He smirked and nodded at her. “When you know, you know, Mama.”
“Who’s the lucky girl? Is she in your class at school?” I asked.
“Nope. Her name is Gracie Reynolds, and she lives in Cottonwood Cove,” he said.
Now it was my turn to laugh. This kid had a plan, and it was clear he intended to see it through.
