Chapter Nineteen Emily
Chapter Nineteen
Emily
Me: I need to thank you again for the best night ever. I swear I haven’t stopped smiling since I got home.
Gavin: I want to see that smile.
Me: You can. Soon, I hope.
Gavin: How soon?
Me: Lol. You tell me.
Gavin: I think I can peel myself away from work tomorrow. Lunch?
Me: I would love that. See you tomorrow then.
Gavin: Good morning, gorgeous. How did you sleep?
Me: Not as good as when I’m in your bed. You?
Gavin: I much prefer waking up to you.
Me: You just like the way I wake you up . . .
Gavin: Did I love opening my eyes to you blowing me, fuck yes. But that’s not the only reason I like you in my bed. Just like having my mouth on your pussy before you fall asleep isn’t the only reason you sleep well when you’re with me.
Me: You may have a point.
Me: I get to see you today . . . it’s going to be very difficult to keep my hands off you at lunch.
Gavin: There’s always the backseat of the SUV.
Me: You have a better chance of that happening in the restroom at the restaurant than getting me to agree to kick Denis out of the driver’s seat.
Gavin: Don’t put that idea in my head, Emily. We’ll be in a stall for the whole hour of your lunch.
Me: I’m surprised you wouldn’t just shut down the entire restaurant.
Gavin: I would.
Me: I’m learning that about you. Where are we meeting?
Gavin: There’s a Peruvian restaurant three blocks from your work. How does 1 sound?
Me: It sounds perfect.
Gavin: I’ll send you the address.
Gavin: I don’t know how you escaped that restaurant without letting me taste you . . .
Me: I don’t know why you never let me pay for anything—our last meetup at the coffee shop, the restaurant today. Will you ever let me take you out?
Gavin: No.
Me: I work two jobs to afford these kinds of things, Gavin.
Gavin: Still no.
Me: Lol. Maybe I just need to surprise you then.
Gavin: You do. Every day.
Me: How?
Gavin: The things you say to me, the way you look at me, how you touch me. Not only does it surprise me, but I’m surprised by how it all makes me feel.
Me:
Gavin: Are you working tonight?
Me: No.
Gavin: Come over.
Me: Now?
Gavin: Yes.
Me: Isn’t Ben there?
Gavin: He just went to bed. I’m about to make dinner, which I would very much like to eat with you or on you.
Me: On me?
Gavin: Fuck yes.
Me: See you in twenty.
Me: Holy shit, that was a close call. I don’t think I’ve ever run for an elevator so fast in my life. I thought you said Ben could sleep through anything? We weren’t even making much noise, lol.
Gavin: He had a bad dream, that’s what woke him.
Gavin: Where are you?
Me: I just got downstairs. I’m about to order an Uber.
Gavin: Don’t move. I’m sending Denis. He’ll meet you out front of my building.
Me: You’re absolutely not doing that. The man is probably home with his family. It’s so much easier this way.
Gavin: I’m still sending Denis.
Me: Too late. Uber is here. I’m getting in the backseat noooow.
Gavin: Emily . . .
Me: I heart you for wanting to take care of me.
Gavin: Text me the second you get home.
Me: I will.
Me: Home.
Gavin: I’m sorry about tonight. I wish it hadn’t gotten so fucked up.
Me: It’s not your fault. Ben needed his dad. I love that and I love that you’re his comfort. Please don’t worry.
Gavin: I’ll make it up to you.
Me: No and more no. You’re a dad, Gavin, I understand that. I told you I will always respect the way you protect him. It’s all good, trust me. Go be with Ben and text me in the morning.
Me: There are no less than five hundred roses at the nurses’ station right now.
It’s like an explosion of long-stem red has completely taken over every inch of desk and counter space, even the floor, they’re everywhere.
And the way they smell! And how gorg they are, I can’t!
No one knows who sent them and no one knows who they’re for, there’s no card or anything.
But I have this strange suspicion they came from you.
Gavin: Guilty.
Me: Gavin! I told you, you do not need to make it up to me!
Gavin: The flowers are because I miss you. And if I can’t see you, then at least I can make you smile.
Me: I don’t even have a sassy reply. Your text just sucked every word out of me and turned me into a pile of mush.
Me: Seriously, no one has ever done anything like this for me before. They’re beyond beautiful. Thank you.
Gavin: When can I see you?
Me: I’m off this weekend, but I’m going to the hockey game with Maya and Bettie on Friday. How about Saturday?
Gavin: Saturday, you’re mine.
“To many more girls’ nights,” Maya said as she held her beer in the air, sitting between Bettie and me, directly in front of the ice. “Thank you for everything, Bettie.”
“Yes, the biggest thank-you to you,” I added.
“My darlings, I hope this is the first of many games we go to together.” She clinked her wine against Maya’s beer and mine.
“I’ll cheers to that.” I took a sip and smiled.
While the players were busy warming up, Maya, staring at them, added, “This game is going to be so different than the last one we attended.” She knocked me with her elbow several times.
“Not that I didn’t have a good time last time, it was a blast—but once I saw Jordan on the ice, whoa, things mentally took such a different turn. ”
“I don’t think I’ll forget that day for as long as I live,” I groaned.
Gavin: I prefer the Tampa T-shirt over the Bears one. Although both look extremely sexy on you.
Me: Why would you say that?
“And look where things stand now.” Bettie took a drink, placing her chardonnay in the cupholder.
Maya let out a deep breath. “You’re right. I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Gavin: Because I can see the Bears T-shirt.
Me: What? How?
I tucked my phone under my thigh and looped my hands through Maya’s arm. “Bettie, doesn’t love look incredible on her?”
Bettie put a hand on Maya’s cheek and one on mine. “I’m with the two most beautiful girlies in this arena. Love, friendship, contentment—whatever either of you are feeling, you both look dashing.”
“Listen, Ms. Snazzy, you’re looking pretty fabulous yourself.
” I put my hand on top of Bettie’s and gave her a stern eye.
“And let’s talk about how well you’re doing.
To get to these seats, you had to descend at least twenty steps or more.
You tackled them all by yourself—you wouldn’t even let us help you. ”
“I held on to the railing.” She batted her lashes.
“So did I,” I offered. “That doesn’t change my opinion. You’re doing so, so great.”
She released both of us and waved the air. “I’m getting there.” She grinned. “But it sure feels good to get rid of that awful cane. It didn’t matter how many scarves I tied to it, it was a wicked eyesore.”
“And now it’s gone forever.” Maya briefly rested her head on Bettie’s arm.
“It better be,” Bettie said.
Gavin: I’m looking at it right now.
Me: Hold on . . . you’re Here?
Gavin: Turn around. Look up. I’m two boxes to the right.
Me: Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?
Gavin: Surprise.
Me: Are you alone?
Gavin: I’m with Jordan. Maya doesn’t know. He wants her to have a girls’ night, so we’re having a guys’ night.
Me: And why did you tell me?
“The game is going to start soon.” Maya put her beer in the holder between us. “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. Anyone need to join?”
I shook my head. “Unless you want me to go with you?”
“No, stay, I’m fine. How about you, Bettie?”
“I’m good, darling.”
“Be right back,” Maya announced and headed up the stairs.
Gavin: Because I refuse to leave this arena unless I taste you.
Me: You wild, wild boy. How is that going to happen?
Gavin: Don’t you have to go to the restroom?
Me: Now? The game is starting in less than 10 minutes.
Gavin: The game will be over two hours long. I’m sure you can find a window to escape.
I immediately felt Bettie’s gaze on me and turned toward her.
“Every time I see you, your smile gets larger.” She nodded toward the phone in my lap. “You know, I told you happiness looks beautiful on you. Now I’m starting to think what I see is love.”
I let out a loud breath. “Oh, Bettie.”
“Am I wrong?”
I slowly raised my shoulders. “No.”
She lowered her red glasses to the end of her nose. “He’s special, isn’t he?”
“He is.” I swallowed, my chest pounding. “You know more than Maya.”
“I had a feeling. You’ve been very vocal about her situation. I could only assume she would be the same about yours.”
“She will be, when the time is right. It’s just . . . not right yet.”
I couldn’t help but think of Ben’s mom and what that must have been like for Gavin. No wonder he didn’t date or bring women around Ben. The fear of them leaving—or worse—had to be far greater than the desire to love.
“The beginning is such a special period.” She linked her fingers and set them on the armrest. “An important one too. The pieces need time to click. A rhythm needs to be set, communication has to feel its way through the silence. If it were me, I’d keep it quiet too.”
“You would?”
“It gives you the freedom to move at your own pace without the questions and pressure and judgment of others. I often hear people say that things should come easy. That the beginning is the least complicated stage. I disagree. Powerful, yes. Unforgettable, yes.” Her head bounced, emphasizing each point.
“But there’s nothing easy about two souls colliding.
That’s like putting the moon and sun side by side.
The energy needs to find a balance, and when it’s significant and monumental, that balance takes patience and testing. ”
My eyes closed, my face scrunching as her words hit. And then they hit again. “Yes.” My eyes finally opened. “We’re slowly learning that.”
“Take your time. No need to rush it.”
There was movement from the aisle, and Maya squeezed in between us, taking her seat. “What did I miss?” She lifted her beer and took a sip.
Bettie looked at me as she replied, “Absolutely nothing, my darling.”