Page 45 of Cougar

“We’re all afraid of something.” I smile sadly and turn my attention to the sidewalk.

“What are you afraid of, Emerson?” he asks softly.

“Right now?” I huff out a humorless laugh. “Everything.”

“Emerson, you don’t have to be afraid. You’re here. You have your family. You have me.”

“Thank you.”

Looking around the patio, I notice some of the patrons at nearby tables are looking at us curiously. And suddenly it dawns on me that I’m not just sitting here having lunch with my friend Cam. I’m having lunch with Cam Parker, the professional baseball player.Jeez.It’s only a matter of time before they start pulling out their phones and snapping selfies to post on social media.

Pushing back from the table, I stand, grabbing my purse and pulling it over my shoulder. “Ready?”

Cam’s gaze flicks to the side, then back to me before he nods. Rising from his seat, he pulls his wallet from his pocket and tosses some cash on the table before leading the way through the small gate separating the seating area from the sidewalk.

“I forget you’re a celebrity.” I grin.

“I’m not a celebrity. I’m an athlete.” He winks. “People don’t usually bother me while I’m eating.”

After lunch, Cam drives us back to my house. I wish him luck on his game in Boston and promise to grab lunch again next week when he’s free.

Making my way to the kitchen and over to the small built-in desk, I grab the FedEx package I received this morning from Lilly and take it over to the countertop where I can spread it out. Then I dial Lucas and put my phone on speaker while I sort through my email.

“Hey, dude!” he chirps happily into the phone.

The excitement in his voice makes me smile. “Hey, dude!” I parrot. “You make America fall in love with you yet?” Lucas’s band LAW has been on tour going on two months now.

Lucas laughs. “America already loves me. Have you seen this face?”

I snort a laugh as I scroll past an email marked Urgent with the subject line “Lucas Wild, care of Emerson King.”That’s strange.My professional name is Emerson Mackenzie; King is my married name and is only used on personal legal documentation.

“Do we need to go over the rules?” For the time being, Andrew is managing Lucas’s band, but the band is still a product of King Records, which means, as a majority shareholder, I’m still his boss.

“Nope. I’m good. I’m sure Dad will keep us in line.” This is true. “Is Jay home from school yet?”

“Not yet,” I reply, distracted as I scroll back up to the email and open it.

Dear Lucas,

My name is Molly…

My heart freefalls into my stomach.

“… talk to her before I leave,” Lucas continues, but I’ve lost my train of thought.

“Hey, Luc, is your dad around?”

“Nah. He and Lilly went to Target to grab some snacks for the bus.”

“Okay. I’ll give him a call on his cell.”

“’Kay. Tell Jay to call me when she gets home from school.”

“Will do. I love you, dude.”

“Love you more. Mean it.”

The call disconnects and I quickly dial Andrew. “Hey, sweetheart. How’s Florida?”

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