Emma took a deep breath before nodding. She should at least try to get to know them, after all, he was amazing with her parents. She just didn’t know how his would react to her, if hismom was anything like some of her past boyfriends’ mothers, it wouldn’t be good.
“Yes? You’ll come to dinner with me?”
“Yes,” she stated, nodding again. “I want to come with you, and I want for this to come out, us being together, so that maybe part of those annoying girls will back the heck off you because they’ll know you’re mine.”
“Is that the only reason you want us to come out?” His question made her smile softly at him before she shook her head no. “What’s the other reason you want everyone to know now?”
Emma slid her arms over his shoulders lifting her lips to his with a lingering kiss before answering him, “So guys will leave me alone, won’t constantly hit on me with disgusting pickup lines, and know they have no chance because I’m in love with you.”
“Now that’s certainly a good reason for it,” he agreed cupping her cheek as it grew a little windier sending cold through them. “Right now though, I’ve got what I think is a good idea, but you tell me if you agree. How about we go somewhere a little warmer?”
“You practically read my mind.” She gladly let him help her up before gathering their things for the walk back to the car.
“So where are we going next?” she asked once they were headed back towards town, the clock showing just past ten.
“What do you want to do? I originally planned to spend longer up there but it’s just too cold still. We’ll have to come back later this year and spend the day there together.”
“That sounds incredible,” she said as her toes warmed in her fuzzy boots. “I was going to go by the tailors at the mall to check on my dress for Court Warming. There was a huge group waiting last night so I figured I’d just do it today. I still have time, so we don’t have to do that, but I’d like your opinion on it.”
“You’re sure you want to be seen at the mall with me today?”
“Absolutely,” she said curling up in the sweatshirt further watching him drive.
Ben paused at the intersection, not sure if she wanted to change before heading to the mall and he glanced at her, smiling when he saw the look on her face. “What?”
“I just like watching you drive. You take such care to keep everyone safe. After riding with Carter and the accident I was a little scared to get in a car again but with you I know I’m safe.”
“Always Em,” he promised kissing her hand as he glanced around the intersection. “Do you want to go change first? You look absolutely gorgeous just as you are but if you want to stop by your place we can.”
“Who else do I have to impress? If you think I look good that’s good enough for me.”
His gaze slid over her putting a slight blush into her cheeks. “Baby, I think you look good all the time, but especially this morning with your hair a mess, no makeup on, and a little crease on your cheek from your pillow.”
She leaned over giving him a kiss before he turned the car towards the mall enjoying her just the way she was as long as she didn’t care.
He found a close spot and pulled into it, moving around to get her door not wanting to bother with his coat while in the mall. She slid a hand up into her sweatshirt to keep her fingers warm and he was surprised when she slipped her other hand into his, tugging him towards the entrance when he stood rooted to his spot.
“Come on Benny-boy; come see my dress for the dance. I think you’ll love it,” she said turning back towards him with a grin he couldn’t resist.
“Careful there, Em or else I might decide to take another of those stolen kisses you still owe me.” He met her gazebefore hurrying across the walkway and into the warmth of the building.
“Anytime you want Ben, I’m done hiding us. I want everyone to know I love you, that I’m proud to be yours, and that you got into Columbia. I’m telling your parents when we have dinner unless you do before then.” Emma gave him a smile, holding onto his hand a bit tighter when his fingers began to loosen on her as they spotted a couple girls from their school across the open area watching them.
“I want that dinner to be about us, not what school I got into Emma.”
“It’ll be both, after all if you’re truly mine it won’t matter where I’m at while you’re at Columbia, right? You’ll still be my Benny-boy?”
“Always Em, I’m always yours,” he agreed, and she grinned brightly before heading towards the tailor shop to see what her dress looked like after the alterations.
Chapter 5
Ben heard the rustle of a curtain and turned towards the open area of the shop, his breath leaving his lungs quickly seeing Emma in the dress. She was stunning, and he was once again thanking his lucky stars, beyond amazed that she wanted him.
“Wow…are you trying to ignite a riot with the girls on the court?” She grinned fully at his reaction, but he couldn’t help it, she was so utterly gorgeous she stole his breath entirely every time he saw her again—even if they’d only been apart for a few minutes.
“Oh, you didn’t hear?”
“Hear what? You won homecoming so you’re not eligible for Court Warming, I know that much.”
