33. A Queen and her Jester #2
“Nah, still totally fine. My office still has the daybed in it and everything. Also, I think he secretly likes being included in our little girl nights we have too.” I reassured her, because nothing would ever come between us.
I turned and placed a few cheese slices on some of the patties so it would be nice and melted.
“Yay, I’m excited. We can stay up late and annoy him then!” Emma clapped her hands excitedly before Dolly brought her the ball back, and she threw it again.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Here, let's get these burgers off the grill and head inside.”
Emma got Dolly in for me while I pulled the burgers off and then checked on the fries.
As they finished cooking, I got everything else ready and set out.
Spencer had been sitting at the bar with Emma when Carson knocked on the door.
Jogging over with Dolly hot on his heels, he let him in, doing that weird bro hug and back clap combo.
“Hi Allie, thanks for having me over. The food smells great.” He smiled as he waved at me.
“Anytime, Carson, I hope you’re hungry.”
“Sure am.” He looked Emma up and down as he spoke, jaw tense, and came to sit at the bar, the only open seat being next to Emma. I wasn’t sure if his response to me was about being hungry for food or for something or someone else. He leaned into Emma’s space.
“Emma, it’s always a pleasure seeing you. Nice shirt.” The smirk he wore was purely to get under her skin. Her shirt today was a black crop top with stars over the boob area. This was the most tame one she had.
I could see her slightly roll her eyes, and she turned to face him, rolling her shoulders back like the queen she was.
“Carson, hope you’ve been doing well.” That was it?
She was curt and direct with him, but was that a blush on her face?
I snapped my eyes to Spencer, who was looking at me too.
Something new had clearly developed between the two that we didn’t know.
Emma cleared her throat and turned to face me.
Yep, definitely a blush. “Man, I am hungry. How much longer do we have? Need any help? Also, Spencer, did you notice Allie’s new shirt?
I made it myself.” She shot up from her seat and came around to stand next to me. Carson’s gaze followed her every step.
“Uhh, sure, how about you cut up this lettuce?” I handed her the knife and stepped out of the way.
I didn’t think we needed more lettuce, but if it kept her busy, then more lettuce is what we’d have.
Actually, now that I think about it, she could get a little stabby when provoked, so maybe this wasn’t my best idea.
Spencer and Carson both looked over at me and started howling with laughter. In between laughs, Spencer finally spoke, “Gamer Pillows, oh god. That’s the best thing I’ve seen. Thank you for making that.”
“Those are his favorite pillows.” Carson finally was able to speak as he wiped tears from his eyes. Emma and I both started laughing along with them because it was a funny-as-hell shirt.
We finished getting everything ready and then made quick work of making plates loaded with food.
Surprisingly, we eased into conversation, catching up about each other's work, mine and Spencer’s trip, and then talked about the Halloween party.
Emma seemed to relax more and was even laughing at some of Carson's jokes.
Not a fake laugh either. Once we finished up, the boys worked on cleaning, and Emma and I went back to my bedroom.
She headed to the bed, and I closed the door behind us to give us some privacy.
“Well, that went pretty smoothly. How’re you feeling?” I grabbed my pajamas out for later and set them on the dresser, and then started lighting the candles around the room.
“I’m feeling good. Maybe Carson isn’t so bad. He was pleasant tonight, actually.” I saw her touch her neck out of the corner of my eye, but didn’t say anything.
“He is pretty funny. I’m glad you’re feeling okay too, though.” I sat down next to her, and she leaned back into my lap. I pulled her hair out from under her and started braiding it.
“So you and Spencer seem pretty serious at this point, huh?” I continued to play with her hair while I thought back on the last couple of months and being with Spencer.
I thought of each time my anxiety spiked and caused me to have panic attacks, and how each time he was my rock through the storm, the calming presence to help ground me.
Every moment, I struggled to find the words to properly express my emotions and wanted to cry.
He sat there and let me work through it.
Seeing how easily we fit together. It was as if our souls had always been bound together, and now they’ve come home.
He never made me feel less than or that I wasn’t worthy of love and respect.
My self-love and confidence had only grown since being with him too.
He made me feel desired, wanted, and beautiful in my skin as it is.
“Yeah, I think so. He makes me so happy, Emma, and so loved, it’s scary sometimes. I wouldn’t change anything, though. I’ve never been more certain about something.”
“I’m so glad, girl. You deserve that kind of love. You’ve spent your entire life taking care of everyone else and putting their needs and wants before your own. It’s time you slowed down and enjoyed your own life and happiness.” My chest tightened, and my eyes started to sting with tears.
“Thank you, Em. I—” I let out a shaky breath, trying not to cry, “I’m going to. I’m going to enjoy what we have and see where it takes us.”