And with that, she leaves me reeling. Because I can’t tell if she’s still talking about art. I take a deep breath and force a smile on my face. “I guess we’ll see, huh? Maybe I’ll try to be brave.”
“I think you’re braver than you give yourself credit for.” She glances over at my friends and smiles. “And I think you have a really good support system, your friends, they’re your family now. I can see how much you all love each other. I’m so glad you have that.”
“Yeah. Me too. It was hard, you know. When my parents—” I shake my head. “I’m glad I have them too.” I say, choking a bit on the emotion in my throat. “You fit, just so you know.”
She looks at me with wide eyes, so full of hope it kills me. Did she think she wouldn’t?
“Really?”
“Yeah. River is smitten.”
She giggles. “Peyton hit on me, before atBlazing Brew. Did she tell you?”
I stiffen and shoot a look at my friend, who isn’t paying us any attention. “She said you bought her a drink.”
She nods. “I did, because I already had one and she wanted to buy mine first. I was very flattered.” She’s smiling wide, her eyes twinkling with mirth and I have to fight the surge of jealousy in my chest thinking about what could have happened if Peyton didn’t realize who exactly Emma was back then.
“Well. She is cute I guess.” I grumble.
Emma huffs and looks up to meet my eyes. “I’m not interested in Peyton.”
“Okay.” I say roughly. “Good to know.”
“It’s getting late.” She says softly. “I should probably get back home.”
“Alright, we’ll walk you to your car. We parked the street over that way.”
“Oh, me too. How perfect.” She says with a grin.Perfect.
The four of us make our way down the block, Emma fishing out her keys as we approach her car. Call it fate, kismet, or a fucking curse, but she’s parked across the street from us. River hands her her things and she gently sets them in the passenger seat of her car. “I had so much fun tonight.” She says. “Thank you for inviting me along.”
“You’re always welcome.” River says and wraps her in a big hug. “Automatic invite, alright?”
“Okay.” She says softly and looks at me with a nervous smile. “What he said.” I huff out.
Peyton gives Emma a hug, and she and River walk over to where our bikes are parked, getting their helmets unlocked from where they’re clipped to the back of River’s.
I hear a choked sound come from Emma and fight a laugh. “Okay?”
“Those are yours?” She squeaks, waving toward where my motorcycle stands next to River’s.
“You like it?” I ask, my grin spreading wide.
“Ye—yeah.” She breathes. “So fucking cool.”
I let out a loud laugh. “See you later, Emma.” I say with a wink, walking backwards toward my bike. She watches me go and keeps eye contact as I unhook my helmet and slip it on. I let out a shaky breath the second I’m hidden behind my visor. She waves as I turn the key in my ignition, the engine rumbling loudly. I wave back and follow behind River, Peyton nestled on the back of his bike, as we head back to Cedar Falls. My heart in my throat the whole drive back.
Fuck. Me.
She’s under my skin now, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get her out.
CHAPTER 11
Emma
Be brave, Emma. You can do this. You’ve been debating this for too long, just walk through the door. Do. Not. Chicken. Out.
Rust Belt Revival’s sign is taunting me as I stand outside the front door. I’ve gone over this a million times now in my head. I’ve wanted to get my little croissant since finishing pastry school. It’s just a tiny bit of pain, I can do this. It’s definitely nerves over the tattoo andnotthe woman inside.
