Page 47 of Brides and Brothers
“Well?” Daisha prompted.
A pink stain spread across Emma’s cheeks. “I don’t think he would ever ask me out again. He probably thinks I’m some big math nerd... which I am.”
“Timing is important,” Camille said. She should know. “Things didn’t work out for you in the past, but that doesn’t mean God won’t open a door for you now.”
Daisha touched Emma’s shirt. “This is cute. How come I never see you get all dolled up?”
Emma shrugged. “I used to put a lot of effort into my hair and makeup. But one of the biggest reasons my last relationship failed was because it was superficial. I’m done with guys who want high-maintenance girls. Do you want to know something ironic? The night Easton asked me out I was wearing my glasses and a baggy T-shirt. I’m probably making the biggest mistake ever. Sage is getting to me.”
“Sage?” Camille asked.
Emma nodded. “All she’s talked about this week has been her run-ins and phone calls with Flynn. It’s been the longest week ever. I’m used to Sage’s boyfriends keeping her tied up, but this is different.” Emma’s gaze flicked to the kitchen again, and she lowered her voice. “Sage has changed. I found her skimpy clubbing clothes in the garbage, and I caught her eating real food instead of her diet shakes.”
Daisha glanced at Camille. “And you think it’s because of Flynn?”
Emma nodded. “Yeah, she said something about how Flynn wants her to be healthy and insisted she eat more.”
“What about the wardrobe change?” Camille asked.
Emma smiled. “Sage says Flynn is a decent guy, and she wants to be a decent girl for him. It’s like she’s finally decided what kind of person she wants to be. She says Flynn is the best guy she’s ever met, and she doesn’t want to mess it up. If you ask me, she’s made up her mind to try to have a relationship with him—one with long-term potential.”
Camille couldn’t wait to tell Aiden she had proof at least one of her matchups was a success. She resisted doing a fist pump in the air.
“Emma, I think it’s awesome that Sage is into Flynn,” Daisha hedged, “but areyouready to date again?”
“I’m ready,” Emma said. “Remember how much I wanted to prove this whole insta-wedding thing was a no-go? Camille, I love seeing how content you are. It’s given me faith that a happily ever after could exist for me too.”
Content?Camille’s firsthand knowledge of what a successful marriage looked like was minimal. She was beginning to feel resentful toward Aiden’s work hours, but besides that, shewascontent. She gave Emma a reassuring smile.
Emma continued. “The whole ice-cream setup was a little much though. I was tempted to spit in the ice cream, but now I have to congratulate you. It worked. I flirted for the first time in forever. I mean, who eats ice cream and sweats bullets?”
“Easton?” Daisha asked.
Emma laughed softly. “No, me. I was an awkward mess.”
“He’s a cute guy,” Camille said, leaning her arm over the back of the couch. “I think you chose well.”
Emma sighed. “I can hardly believe I’m attracted to someone after all this time. I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s like coming out of the Great Depression.”
There was silence for a moment as they digested Emma’s confession. Perhaps there was a bit of shock as well. “So... ,” Camille said. “You came over to hang with us as a pretense to see Easton? I think I’m okay with that.”
“No... maybe... sorry.” Emma grimaced.
“I did not see this coming,” Daisha muttered.
Camille elbowed her. “What do you mean? I’m Camillethe matchmaker.”
Daisha rolled her eyes and shook her head. “What I didn’t see coming was all of my roommates falling for Peterson boys.”
Camille patted her on the hand like a puppy. “Don’t worry, little munchkin, there’s still one left for you.”
Daisha’s brown eyes widened. “Derek! Remember?” She shook her head. “I see some potential relationships here, but I can’t tell you if any of the boys reciprocate these girls’ feelings.”
Camille bit on her thumbnail. Guys could be hard to read sometimes. And attraction didn’t mean commitment. “Wait, idea!” She clapped her hands together. “I’m so, so, so brilliant!”
Daisha and Emma looked at her expectantly.
“We need to arrange more time together,” Camille said. “It’s tradition to have a dance in the Peterson barn to celebrate the end of harvest. It’s a big Halloween party. A lot of the local students and single adults come. You should all join us!”
