33. Emma
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
emma
Two hours later, I’d managed to take a shower, do my makeup, my hair, and change into a dress that made me feel like a goddess. I’d picked out a black dress—you could never go wrong with the perfect black dress—with a lace corset bustier and a mid-length skirt with a split up my right leg. I was in heels, my long hair pulled back into a French twist, diamonds dangling from my ears.
Hunter’s knock rang through the house. I double checked Donnie’s food and water bowls, picked out a handful of treats for him, scattered them on the living room floor, and then opened the door.
Butterflies erupted in my stomach.
Hunter cleaned up really well. He wore a black button-down with black pants and boots. He smelled so good, my mouth started to water. He whistled softly as he looked me over, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.
“You’re beautiful, Emma. I thought the red dress was my favorite, but maybe I was wrong.”
“Thank you.” I reached up and grabbed hold of his cheeks, drawing him down for a kiss. Red rubbed off on his lips and I snorted, quickly wiping it away. “Ope. No kissing tonight, I guess.”
“I’ll wear your kisses as a badge of honor.”
I giggled and found myself just staring like an idiot.
This felt right. For the first time in my entire life, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be with someone I wanted to be with.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am.”
I grabbed my purse, stepping out onto the porch and locking the door behind me. As I turned back around, I noticed a police cruiser slowly driving by. Hunter gave them a wave and then looped his thumbs in his pockets.
I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway. “Did you have them do that?” I asked.
“Yep,” he said. “I sure did.”
I couldn't say I was mad about that. I'd noticed them a few days ago, and felt a little bit safer knowing someone was at least driving through the neighborhood. I still wasn't sure what to do about the letters or the photos, but that would be a problem for tomorrow. I knew Hunter was right about showing someone, but tonight I just wanted to focus on us.
I was going on a first date with a man I was madly in love with. Or at least falling in love with.
“So. Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“It's a surprise.” He held out his hand, and I slid mine into his palm. He raised my knuckles to his lips, kissing them gently before winking.
God, was it possible to combust from a wink? It sure felt like it. I followed him down the steps to his truck, where he opened the door for me. With a quick lift, he put me in the front seat, and shut the door before going around to the driver side.
I could get used to this, I realized. I buckled myself in, thinking about how this could have been us from the beginning if we didn’t let our stubbornness get in the way. I’d spent so much time telling myself that he was rude, incorrigible, unlikable, a total asshole. And sure, parts of him were that way, but it’s what I loved about him. And I also loved that he was protective and kind and always willing to do whatever he could to help others.
I wasn’t used to having someone try to help me like this. For years, I’d been doing everything on my own. I worked to pay my bills, to save up and buy whatever I wanted. I found random hobbies and jumped into them headfirst until I was the best, and then usually moved on to something else.
Maybe that was part of why it’d taken me so long to open up to him.
That, and I realized now that when he offered to help, it wasn’t because he didn’t think I could handle myself.
When I was with him, it was easy to forget my problems. It was easy to forget about Josh and my dad, and the lies we've been spinning.
“We probably owe Honey and Haley drinks,” I said. “Both of them are why I decided to confront you.”
Hunter let out a soft chuckle. “I’ll make sure to get them something. What did Honey have to say?”
“When I told her I thought you hated me, she told me there was no way you hated me, because then you wouldn’t have helped me to begin with.”
“Mm. Always so insightful. I love Honey. Although she kind of scares me sometimes. Can't get anything past her. Haven't been able to since I was a kid.”
I grinned. “She’s the best. She’s the grandmother I never had.”
“She’s good at that. What did Haley think of it all?”
“She was angry,” I said. “Rightly so. I’ve been a shitty friend. But I apologized. We talked through everything and she forgave me.”
“I’m glad,” he said. “I worried about keeping things from her. From Sarah and Alice too. I know how close you all are.”
I nodded. “Still need to tell them.”
“I told Cam.”
“What did he have to say?”
“That I’d be stupid not to grovel. And he was right. I planned on it, but I was just…”
“Scared? Do I scare you, Hunter Harlow?”
He grinned slowly. “You did taser me the first time we met.”
“I sure did.” I smiled as I looked out the window, Citrus Cove passing by as he drove towards Austin. “What was it like growing up here? Aside from the stuff with your dad. This is such a small town, I can't imagine living my whole life here. Well, now I can, I guess.”
“Do you like it?” He asked.
“I do,” I said. “I plan to stay. You can’t get rid of me.”
“Good,” he said. “As for growing up in Citrus Cove—I’m biased, but I love it here. I know I've complained about Pops a lot, and the farm, but I do love what I do. I like the seasons and the weather, I like being connected to nature. And beyond that, I like living in a small town. I like knowing who my neighbors are, I like seeing how their lives go. Their happiness is my happiness, and vice versa. You can't get that in a big city. I’ve taken long vacations, only to end up feeling homesick. Citrus Cove will always be my home.”
I wanted it to be home for me, too. The longer I stayed here, the more it felt that way. Initially, the only reason I'd come out here was to be close to Haley. But then I'd met the rest of the people who would eventually become my own chosen family. And for that, I would always be thankful.
“I guess growing up here was maybe what you would expect. When I was in school, I was…”
“I bet every girl wanted to kiss you.” I gave him a teasing air kiss. “Were you one of those guys? Mr. Popular?”
“I guess I was. Everyone says I was. I was also the guy who would step in if someone was getting bullied. I always hated that stuff. I remember when Cam was being mean to Haley because he liked her, instead of expressing his feelings. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, huh?”
I started to laugh, recalling my conversation with her. “Haley said you pulled a Cam.”
“God,” Hunter sighed, shaking his head. “I sure did. I’m sorry.”
“I know,” I said, reaching over to touch his thigh. “We’re moving forward.”
“We are.” His voice thickened. “If you touch me, I’m gonna get distracted.”
Heat crept up my spine. I wanted to touch him more, but I also wanted to get to our date safely. I pulled my hand away and adjusted in my seat, focusing on him.
“I heard all about Cam before I even met him. When Haley and I met, we talked about him every now and then. It's funny knowing now how much they love each other and how much things have changed, especially after hearing all shit she talked about him. I think they were always meant to be together.”
“Me too,” he said. “Colt has always loved Sarah. Always. But you know how that went. As for Sammy, the three of them falling in love was a surprise to me, but they really work together, don't they?”
“They do,” I agreed.
“And then there's us.”
And then there was us.
“I think we have a shot,” I said.
“Me too.”
“Although, I have to tell you, if we end up together forever, I will be the one in charge of decorating. Although I suppose you can bring all your plants to my house.”
“I will happily be in charge of all plants,” he said.
“I noticed you robbed my back porch.”
“I didn’t see it as robbing you, more as rescuing your plants from certain death.”
I giggled. “It wasn’t that bad. They were still alive.”
“They were holding on by a thread. I’ll be in charge of plants and then you can boss me around. I love your house. All of the colors, the pink and blues, and things I would never think do to my own house. Every time I'm at my cabin now, I feel like it's bland.”
“You should let me decorate it,” I said. “I like going into thrift stores in Austin, it makes me happy. Home decorating makes me happy.”
“I didn't know you liked thrifting. You should check out Mom's storage container in the back of the farm. It's full of all sorts of shit that has just sat there over the years.”
“Well, we'll see how our dinner with them goes,” I said.
He chuckled. “It'll be fine. I mean, I have a feeling we're going to be scolded about the fiancé thing… But she loves you, Emma. I think I’ll be the one they’re upset with.”
I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of anyone being mad at Hunter over this situation. I’d been the one to drag him into it.
“None of this has been your fault. They shouldn’t scold you for any of it. Plus, it’s clear I can make my own decisions. And I’m choosing you.”
“You're part of the family, Emma. Everyone loves you and cares about you. Historically, I don't just make rash decisions, so I'm sure there's quite a bit of confusion around the fact that they found out you and I were engaged because of a Facebook post. And she's given me some space on it, but I think I've run out of time.”
“Well, we’ll tell them the truth. And we can tell them we’re dating now.”
“We could also tell them you’re still my fiancé.”
I snorted. “Hunter, everyone is right about me not getting engaged without a ring. I do have high standards, you know.”
“Oh, I know. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”