Page 18 of Emma
“I’m serious, Emma.” Vanessa traced Emma’s bottom lip with her thumb, the intimate gesture sending a shiver down Emma’s spine. Vanessa had always expressed herself with her hands, but it felt far more powerful in this moment. “If it wasn’t for you, for always pushing me to live my life, I would have given up months ago.”
Emma wrapped her arms around Vanessa, pulling them closer together. Vanessa had said things like this before, but Emma had always brushed it off. None of it ever seemed real. In Emma’s mind, Vanessa was a force of nature. So…vibrant and untouchable. The thought that she could have ever truly given up was terrifying.
“You wouldn’t, babe. You’re the strongest woman I know. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you as hard as I did.”
Vanessa’s gentle blue eyes gazed back at her. “From this moment on, we do whatwewant to do. I’m not planning around anyone else anymore. If people need me, they can have me when I’m available. Not when it suits them.”
“And by people, you mean…Lauren?” Emma asked cautiously. She didn’t want to stir the pot, but ignoring it wouldn’t make it disappear. Lauren knew exactly how to use silence to her advantage, and the last thing Emma wanted was to be the next target.She’s already targeted you!
“Yes, that means Lauren.”
Emma chewed the inside of her cheek, hesitating for a moment. “Can I ask why you’ve come to that conclusion?”
Vanessa trailed a finger up the centre of Emma’s throat. A slow, teasing trail that made her ache for something more. Something…intimate. “Because she’s not dictating my life to me anymore. She’s notassumingmy availability, and she’s not throwing a tantrum when it doesn’t go her way.”
“She’s okay with that?”
Vanessa shrugged. It appeared nonchalant on the surface, but Emma noted the flicker of unease in Vanessa’s eyes. “I don’t know. I said what I needed to say and left.”
“O-oh.” Emma’s heart sunk. That didn’t sound like a resolution. It sounded like a fallout. “So, you didn’t work things out as I hoped?”
“Lauren is welcome to visit me…us…when she’s figured her shit out. But she won’t speak to me like that, and she certainly won’t try it with you again, either. You may be long-time friends, but you’re my wife, and I’m not putting up with it.”
Even with the uncertainty, two things would always remain between them. Protectiveness and love.
“I appreciate that more than you know, but she’s your kid, babe. She’s your life…your blood. I don’t want you to lose anytime with her or Daisy because she has it in her head that I’m manipulating you or something.”
“Manipulating me?” Hurt flashed across Vanessa’s face. “S-she said that?”
“In a roundabout way, I guess. Yeah.” Emma looked down, almost ashamed to repeat what Lauren had said. “I believe her exact words were that I tell you to jump, and you ask how high.”
Vanessa scoffed and turned on her heel, heading directly for the wine rack. She pulled out a bottle of red, her jaw clenched and her hands trembling as she turned back to Emma. “I don’t know who she thinks she is.” Vanessa pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know she’s having a hard time, but that’snoton us. We shouldn’thaveto take the brunt of it.”
“S-she’s having a hard time? With what? Is she okay?”
Vanessa softened again, tilting her head as she smiled back at Emma. “Even when she treats you the way she does, you still care deeply about her.”
“Of course I do. She may be a dickhead, but she’s still my best friend.” No matter what, they wouldalwaysbe best friends. Yes, things could get a little rocky from time to time, but they were stuck with one another now.Ifthat was what Lauren still wanted. “Does she hate me?”
“No. She’s just lashing out because she doesn’t have the ability to do whatever she likes anymore.” Vanessa moved to the dining table, motioning for Emma to join her. “She said she’s struggling with Daisy and all the time Rob spends working.”
Emma nodded. “As we thought.” She accepted the red wine Vanessa set down in front of her with an appreciative smile. “What’s she going to do?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t give her the chance to respond.” Guilt settled on Vanessa’s face, but Emma didn’t know why. Laurenhadspoken to her like shit earlier. “But I was worried I’d saysomething that would really ruin our relationship, so I decided it was better to get my things and go.”
“That’s sensible. I’m sure Lauren understands.”
Vanessa shook her head lightly, her usual beach wave a little dull this evening. Her hair always told the truth, and tonight it was speaking louder than her words. “I think I may have traumatised her a little.” Emma frowned, needing more information. “She asked why I didn’t want to stay at home doing family things anymore…”
“Right.” Emma leaned in this time, still unsure what was coming. “And?”
“And I decided to strip off in front of her and show her why I don’t want to sit at home anymore. Why I want to enjoy my life.”
Emma winced inwardly. She would never judge Vanessa, but her body tensed regardless. “You showed her your scars.”
“Mmhmm.”
“How do you feel about doing that?”
