“They really said that?”
“Right? How dare they? I bought those shoes for myself, thank you very much.”
My joke earns me a smile from Emmett before giving me leg a reassuring squeeze. “Has it gotten better?”
“It has. I’ve made friends. My best friend in the world works down the hall from me. I’ve shown my worth. It’s barely a blip on the radar anymore. Though I have a feeling whatever rumors Duncan is spreading are going to be ten times worse than anything I dealt with back then.”
“Could you get a new job?”
“I don’t want to,” I say. And that’s the truth. I love my job. I have friends there. I’m proud of the fact that I help run that place. “Can that be future Stella’s problem?”
“Sure.” I feel Emmett’s lips kiss the top of my head. God I’m going to miss that. I don’t even know if he realizes he does things like that. Little kisses or touches. Small gestures. Few words. He’s the king of the little things. The small gestures that mean more than any grand gesture ever could.
“How about you?”
“What about me?”
“What’s life for Cap when he returns to the land of being Emmett Collins?”
“Back to normal I’d assume,” he begins. “I’ll go pick up Winnie from Maddie’s house. Probably spend the day with her and little man before heading home. Grocery shop. Get ready for the week. Back to business.”
Out of all the words, thoughts, and feelings I’ve had today knowing our time was up, “back to business” somehow stings the worse. He’s going back to normal. I’m going back to chaos. He has a life he’s happy with. He’s going back to his days of work and his dog and his sister and nephew and bachelorhood. I’m going back to…fuck if I know.
We fall into a silence for the rest of the drive back. Which I’m glad for. Gives me a chance to get my mind right as we approach the Nashville city limits. Because I need to remind myself ofabout ten thousand things before I step out of this truck.Yes, this stings right now. Yes, the bubble is three seconds away from popping. Yes, you are walking back into a shit show. But remember that this vacation, the time with Emmett, was always temporary. It was what you needed at the time. It was time you needed for yourself. Now it’s time to turn the page. Face the music. Find the old Stella, and with it, become a new and improved version. Just remember, even though this is going to suck for a few days, the alternative is being Duncan’s wife, washing his tighty whities, and having pictures of your wedding day in that fucking dress.
Before I know it, we’re exiting the highway toward Ainsley‘s apartment—or I guess I should say my apartment. It’s where I lived before moving in with Duncan. And before I left for Florida she told me I was more than welcome to come back until I could figure out what was next. Little does she know that I have no clue what’s next.
I don’t text her to let her know I’m here. If I did, she’d come down and see Emmett, and I don’t want our final minutes together spent answering a million questions. For all she knows, I’m taking a Lyft here from the airport.
When he turns off the ignition, the sudden sound of silence is deafening.
This is it. When I step out of this truck, Emmett will go from the man who made me whole again to my brother’s best friend. He won’t be my Cap anymore. I won’t be his Tiger. I’ll just be Simon’s little sister.
It’s for the best. And soon I’ll realize it.
But not now.
Now, for just a few more minutes, I can be sad.
I reach to open my door when I feel his hand grip my arm. When I turn to look at him, the smirk he’s giving me is the one I want to remember when I think of my two weeks with Emmett Collins.
“I know we’re back in Tennessee, and the new rules are about to start, but that doesn’t mean you now open your door.”
I chuckle through the threatening tears as he walks around the truck to open the door, giving me his hand as I step out. He lets go so he can grab my mountain of bags out of the bed of the truck, and it gives me the chance to take one final look at the man who saved me in more ways than I can count.
When the last bag is out, Emmett looks over to me just as I lose the battle with the tears. He doesn’t say anything as he pulls me into him, bringing me against his hard, yet comforting, chest that I already miss.
“Best vacation ever,” he whispers as he buries his face into my hair.
“Best vacation ever.”
He pulls back, but just enough so now our foreheads are resting against each other. We’ve shared countless kisses and touches over the past two weeks. Yet none of them have conveyed more emotions and feelings than this one right here.
“See you around, Tiger.” Emmett takes a step back, giving my hand one final squeeze before stepping toward his truck.
“Thanks, Cap. For everything.”
We share one more knowing look before he gets in his car and drives away into the summer sunset. I feel myself crying, but I don’t do anything to push away the tears. I don’t even know how long I’m standing here, because eventually I feel two hands on my shoulders, giving me a familiar and comforting hug.
