17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Ryan
A fter walking Emily to her apartment, I went to the library - choosing to ignore the feelings of disappointment over her declaration of just being friends. I still had a few things to go over before the council meeting on Tuesday. I finished putting together my presentation and even practiced it a couple times.
Giving Emily the day, I figured I would see her at the library when she came in to write. Unfortunately, she never showed. By eleven in the morning, I gave up hope she would come, and I sequestered myself in my office. Betsy hadn’t said a word to me, and I was thankful for it.
I cursed myself for telling my sister to get headphones. Maybe if I hadn’t done that she would have continued to blare her music and forced Emily to make an appearance. However, Emily would wonder why I didn’t say anything to my sister about the volume of her music.
That kiss was soul shattering, so I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t come to the library. Did she not feel the same way? What if it wasn’t the best kiss of her life? Was she trying to save my feelings? I wanted her, but what if she didn’t want me?
Packing up for the day, I left the library, and went to the bar to meet up with the guys. I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to tell them. They wouldn’t share what happened, but I did worry they would give me shit - or maybe even try to get involved thinking they could help me. I didn’t think Emily would appreciate it, but I needed to talk this out with someone.
Walking into the bar, I spotted the three of them in our normal booth and was grateful to see the bar wasn’t packed. I might be able to tell them without anyone overhearing our conversation.
“So, how did Saturday night go?” Trey asked with a grin.
“I kissed her,” I answered, deciding to rip the band-aid off.
“Way to go, man.” Levi raised his glass but then lowered it when he spotted the unsure expression on my face, “It wasn’t a good kiss?”
“The kiss was incredible. She was totally into it, and so was I.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Preston asked.
“I invited her to brunch the next morning, and we went, but the Hills showed up and it suddenly got awkward. Rose asked if we were dating, and Emily blurted out we were just friends. After I walked her back to her apartment, that was it. She didn’t come into the library today, and I have no idea what to think.”
“First off, take a girl to dinner,” Levi started and Preston nodded his agreement.
“So brunch gave her the wrong idea?”
“No, brunch is fine and a very coupley thing to do, but it could also mean friendship. She needs to be wined and dined, so it’s clear,” Levi explained.
“At what fine establishment in Maple Creek am I supposed to wine and dine her?” I asked, pushing my fingers through my hair.
The guys silently stared at each other before Levi stated, “I guess you have a point.”
The table went silent while they considered where I could take Emily, and I glanced down at my hands. How was I supposed to woo in a small town? I was so far out of my element. It’d been years since I last dated someone, and I didn’t know how to do that in a small town.
Furthermore, Emily was different from the women I dated back in the city. A romantic dinner at an expensive restaurant and chocolates delivered to her work, weren’t going to prove anything to her. For one, we had no expensive restaurant, and secondly, she worked in the library or at home. Plus I didn’t want to do what I’d done in the past, because Emily deserved so much more than the bare minimum. She deserved creativity, thought, and care in the little details.
“Oh, invite her to your place and make her a meal there,” Trey offered.
“That’s great, but she already publicly stated to Rose we were only friends. I don’t want to push if she’s not interested.”
“Rose Hill is a nosey bitch. Emily was probably protecting you both and keeping Rose out of anything you two potentially have,” Trey said.
“Plus, you said she was into the kiss, right?” Preston asked.
“Yes, at least it seemed like she was.”
“I bet she’s trying to avoid being the main subject of the rumor mill. After what went down between her and that one dude, she’s probably hoping to keep this a little low key until you two have a chance to see if you both want to try being more than friends,” Trey explained.
“What happened between her and the one dude?” I asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but rumors were the two were headed for marriage. Then one day, he left. She never seemed broken up about it, but Emily’s a tough woman. Either she hid her real feelings, or the town made it more than what it was.”
By hiding her feelings, the town would let go of the rumors faster, or, at least, that would be her hope. But like Trey said, the town could have made their relationship more than it was. Neither of which offered any further insight into my predicament.
“Honestly, you should tell her how you feel. Let her know you want to be more than friends,” Preston suggested.
“I agree. If you want something, you have to go for it. Don’t let anything stop you,” Levi encouraged, and Trey nodded.
“Yeah, OK.”
The conversation moved on, but, Levi’s exuberance aside, he was right. If I didn’t make it clear to Emily I wanted to be more than friends, I wanted her to be my girlfriend, we’d never get there. The next time I saw Emily, I would make my intentions clear. Except, with the meeting tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t have a chance to see her at least until Wednesday. Was that too long?
I stood from the table, and Trey asked, “Where are you going?”
“To see Emily, I’ll catch up with you all tomorrow.”
The guys chuckled as I walked toward the door, but I didn’t care. I was going to get my woman, or at least try.
Pushing through the door, I turned to walk toward her apartment before I lost my determination. Nerves ran through me, but I was bound and determined to do this - even if I was scared as hell she’d reject me.
Like an angel, Emily appeared carrying groceries toward her building. Her hair was down straight, she wore her navy peacoat, and she stole my breath away like every other time I stared at her. She was beautiful, and it didn’t matter what her appearance was like, I studied every single one of them. Checking the road, I darted across the street toward her.
“Hey Emily,” I shouted and she stopped and turned toward me as I approached, “You didn’t come to the library today.”
She stared up at me wide-eyed for a second before she said, “Oh, yeah. I worked from home. I didn’t feel like getting out of my comfy clothes until like noon.”
“I missed seeing you.” I stepped up to her, her head tipped back and she smiled softly.
“You did?”
“Yeah, I did,” I whispered before I leaned down.
Gripping the back of her neck, I pressed my lips to hers. The thud of her bags hitting the ground sounded in my ears as her hands gripped the sides of my jacket and pulled me closer. She was holding on to me like I might drift away. It only confirmed my original thoughts, she was definitely into me.
I simply had to give her a reason to come back for more.
Releasing her, I took a step back as her hands unclenched from my jacket. She blinked up at me, her lips parted as we quietly took each other in. Bending down, I picked up her bags and handed them to her.
Looking into her eyes, I said, “Just so you know, I don’t want to be just friends. And I don’t think you want to be just friends either. But the ball is in your court. I’d be honored to date you. So, think about it, and when you’ve made your decision, come find me.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up, then she licked her pretty pink lips before giving me a nod. I tipped my head and turned around to walk back to my car.
Would I have loved for her to tell me then and there? Of course. The anticipation was going to kill me, but I needed her to know she could take her time and think it through without me pestering her.
I fought the desire to run back to her and kiss her until she admitted she was mine. Instead, I stared up at the night sky and wished on every star she’d tell me yes, that she wanted to be more than friends, too. And someday soon, I’d be able to claim her as mine and she’d claim me as hers.