Page 102 of Cougar

“Neither.” I drag my hands down my face. “I’m asking as Cam, who’s known Jayla since she was a kid. I love and adore that girl. Liam loves and adores that girl. And he’ll kick your ass if you hurt her. Hell,I’llkick your ass if you hurt her.”

“I love her. I’m not gonna hurt her or get her pregnant. We’re both covered. What do you think Liam will do when he finds out his best friend is banging his sister?” He raises his brow.

“He’s not going to find out until we’re ready to tell him. Unfortunately, Em and I put you in a difficult position, but you absolutely cannot tell Jay.” I narrow my eyes. “I mean it, Zach.”

“What are you doing, Cam?” He leans back against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “Do you have any idea how many people are going to get dragged into this if things don’t work out?”

I press my index finger to my lips and lean my head back to look down the hall. “Logan is here,” I whisper. “All I need is for word to get back to your mom.”

“He wouldn’t say anything to Mom. But he’d definitely call you out for being a cougar-fucker.”

“She’s not a cougar,” I defend. “She’s forty and sexy as fuck.”

He shrugs as if it doesn’t make a difference. “When did Logan get here?”

“Early this morning. He’ll probably sleep most of the day.”

“So what exactly is going on with you and Emerson? Are you guys just fucking, or are you in love?” he teases with a smirk.

I keep my expression blank as I rub my hand over my jaw. “I’m in love with her,” I admit.

His brows skyrocket to his hairline. “Seriously? Does Emerson know how you feel?”

I nod slowly. “Pretty sure she does.”

“Does she feel the same?”

I blow out a breath in frustration. “It’s complicated.”

“Well, at least now you can update your Facebook status,” he says with a laugh.

I can’t help but chuckle. “Asshole. I know she loves me, but she’s afraid it’s too soon after losing Marcus to admit it. I think she’s worried what people will think of her—what Jay will think of her. That she didn’t love Marcus enough if she’s able to move on so quickly. Right now, I’m just giving her the space she needs.”

“I hope you guys figure it out before Jay does.”

“Emerson and I are friends. Jay is used to seeing us together. When Em is ready to be with me permanently, then we’ll talk to Jay.”

“What do you mean ‘permanently’? Like married?”

I shrug. “I’d marry Em in a heartbeat. I know you think it’s weird, but I love her, Zach. I have for longer than I care to admit. She’s an incredible woman. An incredibly stubborn woman, but that’s one of the things I love about her. You see her as Jayla’s mom, but I see her for the beautiful, strong woman she is. Everyone thinks Jayla gets her caring heart from Marcus, but she gets it from Emerson, too. They’re a lot more alike than you think.”

“I can see that. I’m not judging you, Cam. I’m happy for you. I’m just worried. I know you think it’s about you and Em, but it’s not. What about Mom?”

“What about her? It’s none of her business.”

“I agree. But if things progress between you and Emerson, maybe you should try to get her and Mom in a room together to talk things out. I still don’t understand how those two went from being best friends for eighteen years to suddenly hating each other.”

“I have no idea. I asked Em about it once and she shut me down.”

Zach goes over to the sink and rinses out his glass before putting it in the dishwasher. Then he turns to face me. “I’m gonna hop in the shower. Will you drop me off at the salon?”

“Sure.”

* * *

Emerson

“Emerson,” Cam calls as he walks toward me. A younger guy with brown hair and dark eyes walks beside him. And there’s no mistaking who he belongs to. He looks just like her.

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