Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I’ll get it.” I hear Monroe call out. When she pulls open the door, her mouth falls open in shock. “Hey, Em, it’s for you.”
“I’m not here,” she calls back.
“For real, it's for you.”
“I’m not expecting anyone. I have a phone call to make,” she grumbles.
I can hear her footsteps as they grow near, and my chest does this funny squeezing thing when I hear her say she has a phone call to make. She’s eager to call me. She appears in the doorway and blinks a few times before she bursts into tears and launches herself at me. I catch her easily, handing the bag of snacks to Monroe, and walking us both into the apartment. I move to the couch and sit with her in my arms. She’s sobbing and her fingers dig into the back of my shirt as if she’s worried I might disappear.
I hear the door close and footsteps carry down the hall, which I assume is Monroe going to her room to give us some time. I don’t know how long we sit huddled together while her tears soak my shirt, but eventually, she lifts her head. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and tears are still flowing freely.
“What are you doing here?”
“Dad and I finished early, which you know, and I’m off tomorrow. When you called, I knew I had to get to you.” I wipe her tears with my thumbs. “You needed me, baby girl. Where else would I be?”
“Where do they think that you are?”
“I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving. The guys know I took off tomorrow to help Dad. They don’t know we finished today because my uncles came over to help him yesterday. I’ll think of something if it comes up.”
“I can’t believe you drove almost four hours on a whim just to see me.”
“I hated that you were upset and had such a bad day and I wasn’t here. I had the time away from work scheduled, and I can’t think of a better way to utilize that time.”
“So you’re staying?”
“Is that okay? I can get a room,” I offer.
“No. Please, no. I want you to stay.” She leans in and I close the distance, kissing her softly.
“Have you had dinner?” she asks.
“Do snacks from the gas station count? Speaking of?” I glance over and see the bag sitting on the chair. “I brought you and Monroe some of your favorites.”
“You know my best friend’s favorite snacks?”
“Baby girl, we’ve known each other for years. I pay attention, and Monroe is always with you.” I shrug.
“We just had dinner. I can warm you up some leftovers. Cheesy chicken and rice.”
“I’m good for now.”
“You promised me a movie.”
“I did.”
“Come on.” She starts to climb off my lap, but I hold on to her. “Tell me where we’re going, beautiful. I’m not ready to let you go just yet. In fact, be prepared for me to be glued to your side until I leave tomorrow.”
“I like the sound of that.” She kisses me again, before pulling back and telling me which room is hers.
We strip down, her in her panties and my T-shirt, and me in my boxer briefs, and climb under the covers. I pull her into my arms as we lie on our side and stare at her laptop screen. The movie is on maybe five minutes before she’s sound asleep. Reaching over, I close her laptop and place it on the nightstand. Pulling her close, I snuggle into her, and close my eyes.
It’s the best night's sleep I’ve had since she left.
Chapter
Eighteen
Emerson
* * *
“Lachlan, you outdid yourself with the turkey this year,” I tell him. “Who knew a deep-fried bird would be so good?”
“I did, obviously,” Lachlan replies with a wink.
“Obviously,” I parrot back to him.
“I’m stuffed,” Monroe says, shoving her plate away from her.
“We still have pie. Lots and lots of pie,” I remind my best friend.
“I know. I helped make them, but I can’t do it. Not right now, at least.” She rubs her hands over her flat belly as if she can feel the difference after all the food we just consumed.
“Well, boys and girls, it’s time for some football.” Maddox pushes back from the table and heads toward the living room.
I smile as everyone files in after him.
Every year, as long as I can remember, we’ve been having our own Everlasting Ink family Thanksgiving on the Friday after the actual holiday. Forrest records the games from Thanksgiving Day, and we all pretend like this is the actual day. I once referred to it as Friendsgiving and my brother about had a heart attack. He made it very clear that everyone around the table that day, which included the two of us, Monroe, and the other guys from Everlasting Ink, were family.
He’s right. Everyone here today is family we chose, and I think we did a damn fine job. We invited Drake, Lisa, and Lyra, but they already had other plans. I made sure to tell them that if they could make it next year, to plan to be here. I also told them that if they hadn’t made plans yet, to save Christmas evening for us as well.