25. Emmy
TWENTY-FIVE
Emmy
As Ollie, Hattie, and I walk through the parking lot, we see cars decorated for various children’s shows and movies.
Each family has taken on a different theme, along with costumes to match.
It surprises me how no one is seeing any issue with the event.
It was the only thing I thought of when she said we were coming here.
When I was a kid, we were told not to get candy from strangers or go near their cars.
But here’s a whole event catered to doing the exact opposite.
This isn’t something we ever did in Seaside, but maybe it came after I was done trick-or-treating.
I’m also surprised that it’s being held at the orchard, but Hattie didn’t put together a trunk.
But then again, the whole reason I have a job is because Hattie actually has so little time.
I start to wonder if Lina or Tilly, or even Bells, have a trunk somewhere here.
As if reading my mind, Hattie leans in and points to Bells and Tilly, who are dressed up at the end of the row.
Bells looks like she’s in pretty normal clothes, but Tilly is wearing white face paint with tons of sparkles, and her blonde hair is in complete disarray.
The pretend meadow in the bed of Tilly’s truck helps give away their costumes.
“Bella and Edward?! I love it.” Hattie gasps.
“Are you Buzz Lightyear?!” Tilly exclaims; she doubles over in belly laughter while looking at Hattie’s costume. Honestly, I don’t blame her; it’s hard not to have that reaction.
“Obviously.” Hattie takes it in stride, ignoring Tilly’s obvious teasing.
“What are you people?” Ollie asks, looking between Bells and Tilly.
“We’re Bella Swan and Edward Cullen,” Bells says proudly.
“I don’t get it,” Ollie says, looking at them, confused.
“They’re from a vampire movie; he sparkles in the sun, and she falls in love with him,” Hattie explains.
“That sounds stupid.” Ollie frowns.
“It’s better than it sounds,” Bells says.
“Don’t say anything about the hair,” Tilly grumbles at Hattie.
“Come on, just one photo? I need to remember this.” Hattie laughs.
“She fought me about the hair, but it really makes the costume,” Bells says.
“It really does, because I kind of thought you were just high schoolers at first. Now I get it,” I joke.
“See, babe! I told you we needed more sparkles!” Bells exclaims.
“No. We never need more sparkles. These are going to be coming off me for weeks,” Tilly grumbles.
We hang out until Ollie starts to get restless. With all the candy he’s had and it being past his bedtime, I’m shocked he didn’t fall asleep on the walk to Lina’s. She greets Ollie with open arms, takes the bag from Hattie, and heads inside.
The walk back to the house is quiet, only filled with small talk between us. I think we’re both afraid to be the one to start the heavy conversation, so we are dancing around it.
“I’m going to change. I’ll meet you down here?” Hattie says, and I nod.
I change out of my costume, then head back into the living room.
Hattie’s there; the lights are all off, but there are candles lit all over the place.
Most of them are pumpkin, judging from the smell.
She’s wearing this cute set of black pajamas with pink ghost face masks all over them.
Her ass is hanging out as she bends over to light another candle.
She catches me looking when she turns around, with a box of matches in her hand.
“Power’s out,” Hattie explains. “It happens once in a while, usually with a storm. A big gust of wind must have blown it out.”
“Here I thought you were just setting the mood,” I joke. “Do you need any help?”
“Yeah, if you can get those last few? I’m going to start a fire before it gets cold in here. Sometimes it takes a while for the power to come back,” Hattie says, pointing to the candles on the table.
“It’s not something Tilly can fix?” I ask curiously.
“I’d rather not bother her tonight if I can avoid it.” Hattie winces. “I think she’s over there reenacting Bella and Edward’s honeymoon.”
“Okay, way too much info.” I grimace.
“Trust me, I definitely didn’t need to know that either.”
Hattie sits on the floor in front of the fireplace to make the fire.
I sit on the couch, pulling a blanket over myself, and watch.
I’ve never seen her make one before; they were usually already going when I saw one warming the room.
I knew she was the one making them, but I had never asked how.
She’s pulling out sticks from a bin she apparently keeps hidden behind the TV.
Then places a few logs between them, adds a few other things, and lights it.
The fire starts immediately, and she stands, her body illuminated by the candles.
Her silhouette moves across the room, landing next to me.
She holds out her hand and pulls me toward her.
I’m not sure what we’re doing until she starts to sway, and I realize she’s dancing with me.
I close my eyes, thinking about the first time we danced together.
Not knowing that in such a short amount of time it would bring us to now.
She places her head on my chest, and her dark curls tickle my chin.
“I don’t know what we’re doing,” she admits.
“I don’t know what we’re doing either,” I say.
“But I know I like you, and I want to be with you,” she says quietly, just above a whisper.
“I like you, too.”
“I think we’ve been playing it safe but also overthinking it. At least I have, anyway, and I don’t want to anymore,” Hattie says.
“I know you don’t want to hurt Ollie, and I know he must come first. But I also know I want to be with you, and that we can’t keep acting like this is nothing,” I say.
“I don’t want to pretend this was nothing or be professional anymore. Even though I’m pretty sure that only lasted like three days.” Hattie laughs.
“I’m pretty sure if you were a real boss, I’d definitely have a lawsuit on my hands,” I joke.
“You’re right, though.” Hattie sighs. “I don’t wanna hurt Ollie, but I have a bad habit of ignoring my wants and needs when it comes to him. And it’s recently come to my attention that it’s not like that’s helping him.”
“Your friends are smart people.” I smirk.
“Yes, okay, my friends did say that.” Hattie nods. “I just know what it’s like to have family abandon you, or in my case, kick me out. I don’t want Ollie getting attached to people who aren’t in it for the long run,” Hattie admits tearfully.
“Who says I’m not in this for the long run?” I ask.
“What?” Hattie asks.
“I think these last few weeks have shown me that I wouldn’t want to just be in your life, Hattie.
I want to be in Ollie’s life too. I’ve come to love the little guy, and every day I spend with him is amazing.
He’s so smart and kind, and all the best parts of you.
I know you’re a package deal and it’s the best deal I’d ever be lucky enough to have,” I say.
“So as long as you’ll have me, I’m ready to do this. ”
“I-I didn’t think you were looking for something so serious,” Hattie says quietly. “Then again, neither was I.”
“Oh, I was definitely not looking for anything serious.” I laugh.
“I moved here thinking I’d try to sell my dad’s house and make enough money for grad school.
I didn’t know how long I’d stay, what my next move was, or if I was even going to like it here.
But the town grew on me, and I fell into the job, seeing a struggling single mom and thinking I could help out.
I never thought I’d end up falling for you in this way.
I really did try to be professional,” I say.
“What about grad school, then? I don’t want you to give up on your dreams,” Hattie says softly.
“I can always look into local colleges or schools online. I’ve already started researching, and there’s a pretty good program only a half hour from here. Since someone is gracious enough to let me borrow a truck, I might be able to commute,” I suggest.
“You’ve really put some thought into this, huh?” Hattie asks.
“Hattie, you’re not someone who deserves a half-assed relationship. If I couldn’t give you and Ollie my all, then it wouldn’t be worth it. Of course I put thought into this; it’s probably all I’ve been thinking about for days,” I admit.
“Me too. I can’t pretend that I’m not worried about it, but I want to do this.
I like you, and I see how much you care about Ollie.
And honestly, how much he cares about you, too…
” Hattie pauses. “I think I’ve just been nervous about getting into anything serious that could pull my focus from Ollie.
But also, anything that would hurt the way it felt to lose Benny.
I know it’s not the same; it wasn’t romantic, but that loss hurt worse than a breakup.
I didn’t think my heart could handle it. ”
“We can take it slow; we don’t have to rush whatever this is. If you need more time for me to show you I’m not going—”
Hattie puts a manicured finger over my lips. “I don’t want to take this slow. I want to be all in with you. I don’t want to live my life afraid of the what-ifs. Let’s try this and see what happens. I like you, Emmy, and I want to be with you.”
Hattie moves her hand so I can speak.
“I like you too. I’d love to be with you.”
“Then kiss me already.” Hattie smiles, and I laugh.
Doing as she says, I hold her right cheek and press my lips to hers.
Her lips feel like they always do, but somehow different.
It isn’t rushed; I’m able to take all the time in the world just kissing her.
She isn’t trying to undress me, and we aren’t on a time crunch.
We can just enjoy this moment together, our bodies close, our lips meeting again.
Her tongue slips into my mouth, taking the time to meet mine.
I can feel her heartbeat through her chest, quickening with each kiss.
My hands move down her arms, holding the sides of her hips and pulling them into me.
She groans lightly into my mouth, and I move to kiss the side of her neck.
Soft, gentle kisses down the nape of her neck, across her collarbone.
Hattie pulls back, unbuttoning the front of her pajama shirt.
She lets it fall down behind her, all of her illuminated by the candles and the firelight.
Her shadow flicking behind her as I stop to admire her.
It’s the first time I’ve allowed myself to really look at Hattie.
The first time we hooked up, it was a haze of lust; even the second time was more like scratching an itch.
But this time I can see all of her. The freckle she has above her left breast, the stretch marks left behind from Ollie growing inside her, and her dark pink nipples. Her tattoos against her tan skin.
“Wow,” I say aloud. “You’re gorgeous.” Hattie blushes, almost shying away, but I stop her. “You’re perfect.”
She walks closer to me, kissing me again. Her lips softly take mine, and she holds my waist against hers. I can feel her smooth skin, little goosebumps rising on her shoulders. Her nipples harden against me, and I pause to take my shirt off, careful not to hit a candle when I toss it aside.