Page 40 of Am I the Only One

“So, you just talked?”

“We kissed,” she reveals. “Nothing intense. No touching or anything. Just kissing. Like I said, he came off confident, but there was a hint of uneasiness. It was him who pulled away first, but then he asked if he could stay the night.”

“He slept in bed with you?”

She nods. You’d think I’d be irate to know they kissed, but I’m not. It doesn’t even feel real.

“We both had a little too much to drink, so that’s all that happened. We talked, kissed, and then fell asleep.”

“And this morning?”

“He was up and had ordered room service before I was even awake. He seemed rushed, but he asked if he could see me again tonight.”

“That’s um ... that’s good.”

“Can you rent the room for an extra night?”

Flustered, I rub my brows. I don’t know what I was expecting. I mean...I sort of figured this would be a one-and-done, but that was stupid of me to assume. “Um, sure. Yeah, I’ll extend the reservation on my way out.”

Emma reaches over, lays her hand over mine, and with a gentle tone, says, “If you don’t want me to meet him tonight, I don’t have to.”

“No,” I blurt a little too quickly. “It’s fine.”

“I’m on your side,” she assures.

“I know. It’s just ...”

“Yeah, I know.”

I take in a deep breath before letting it go and standing. “So, that’s it?”

Looking up at me from where she still sits, she responds, “That was it. Aside from the kissing, it was harmless.”

I stare into her eyes, knowing everything she’s been through this past year, and I get an overwhelming urge to protect her. It’s stupid of me. How can I possibly protect her when I’ve thrown her into this situation? But the feeling is there in spite of what I’ve done.

“Are you okay?”

She hesitates for just a moment. “I’m fine. Like I said, he was harmless. Actually, he was pretty gentlemanlike, all things considered.”

“Yeah, he’s a man of chivalry, all right,” I condescend, to which she chuckles.

She then stands with an air of lightness to her. “You know what I mean.”

I smile before asking once more, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nods, adding, “So, is the routine the same? I should text you after I see him tonight?”

“Yes.”

I pick up my purse, take one last look at the bed, and then turn for the door before she stops me, saying, “Oh, he said he wanted to have dinner at Plume.”

I turn back to her, and she lifts her shoulders.

“He said it was a Michelin-starred restaurant. I don’t have anything nice enough to wear.”

Her eyes are bashful, and I feel bad that she’s having to ask for more help when I know how much she hates it.

“It’s okay,” I tell her as I pull out my wallet and slip a few hundreds from it. “Here. This should be enough.” She takes the money, and before I walk out the door, I remind her, “If you need me, I’m here.”

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