Page 120 of Face Off
“I knew food was one of your kinks,” I say, and we slip away from our teammates without anyone so much as batting an eye. “But, in the spirit of honesty, Red, I have to tell you something.”
She glances at me over her shoulder. “What?”
“I did pay the DJ to play a slow song, and it was a lot more than twenty bucks. You’ve looked gorgeous all night, and I wanted a minute with you for myself. I guess that makes me selfish too. Something we have in common.”
“How much did you pay him?”
“A thousand bucks. And I would’ve paid him a thousand more.”
“You’re absurd.”
“You like it,” I toss back.
This time when she smiles at me, I feel it in the center of my chest. There’s a hollow part behind my ribs where I’ve neverfelt an ache before. It spreads through me until everything boils down to a single entity: her.
“Yeah,” Emerson whispers, and I’ve never loved a word more. “I do.”
When she yanks me by the belt loop and pulls us into the closet, there’s a small, lingering voice in my head that tells me I might be in serious fucking trouble.
THIRTY-THREE
EMMY
“Areyou sure you don’t want to come out with us?” Piper asks. “It’s New Year’s Eve!”
“I know, but after the loss the other day and our road trip coming up, I need a night in.” I slip a shopping receipt into my book to mark my spot and stretch out my legs. “You’re going to that new club downtown, right?”
“Yeah. I really want to have someone to kiss at midnight. Even if it is a stranger.” She looks at me in the mirror and pouts. “I really can’t convince you to come, can I?”
“Nope. I have some ice cream in the fridge, I’m going to open a bottle of wine, I’m reading a romance book that’s making me kick my feet. What more can you ask for?”
“I’m only letting you off the hook because I started that book too, and I had to force myself to put it down. I know it’s fictional, but it’s making me believe in love again. Is that silly?”
I climb off the couch and walk toward her. “It means you know that kind of love is out there, and you’re worthy of it. There’s nothing silly about that, even if the words are make-believe. They can be real to you.”
“Gosh.” Piper fans her face. A tear slides down her cheek, and she wipes it away with her thumb. “I’m going to cry, and I told myself I am not allowed to cry this year.”
“You are allowed to cry, but you’re not allowed to cry over shitty men. They don’t deserve your love and attention, let alone your tears.” I wrap my arms around her in a hug and hold her tight. “I’m so proud of you. This is going to be your year. And what better way to kick it off than by finding the hottest man in the place and sticking your tongue down his throat?”
“Thanks, Emmy.” She laughs into my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “I might sleep at Lexi’s tonight depending on how late we stay out. We might only last an hour then stuff our faces with Taco Bell.”
“A Crunchwrap Supreme is never going to fuck you over. I support that decision.” I pull away from her and pat the top of her head. “Have fun. Tell Lexi I say hi, and text me if you need me. I’ll keep my ringer on just in case.”
“You’d interrupt your sleep for me? I know how much you hate someone waking you up before your alarm goes off.”
“You’re not someone, Piper. You’re my best friend.”
“Damn you, Emerson Hartwell,” she curses at me, grabbing her purse. “I’m leaving before you mess up any more of my makeup.”
“I love you too,” I call out, laughing when she makes a heart with her hands before she shuts the door.
I flip the deadbolt in place, and head back to the couch. I read for the next hour and a half, growing tired and letting out a yawn as the time on the clock stretches closer to midnight.
When I shut my book and stand up, my phone buzzes on the coffee table. I pick it up, expecting it to be Piper letting me know she forgot something, but I’m surprised to see a message from Maverick.
Pretty Boy
Happy almost New Year’s!
