11. Emory
EMORY
The afternoon light streaming through my suite's floor-to-ceiling windows creates the perfect backdrop for what might be the most productive content creation session of my career. Vada is curled up beside me on the sofa, her laptop balanced on her knees as we review the footage waiting to put out.
She pulls up the analytics from our Instagram posts. The results are staggering. Content featuring both of us consistently outperforms our individual posts. Comments, saves, shares—every metric suggests our collaborative content resonates with audiences in ways neither of us achieves alone.
"This is business-level performance," I say, scrolling through the data. "Sustainable career numbers."
"I know," Vada says with excitement. "My event planning inquiries have doubled since I've been here creating content with you. And look at your travel brand mentions—they've increased by sixty percent this week."
I study the numbers, calculating the implications. Content this successful could solve my financial stress while creating something more meaningful than solo adventure posts.
"What if we made this official?" I ask, the idea forming as I speak. "Not vacation collaboration, but business partnership. Your event expertise plus my travel content experience could create something completely new."
"Destination event content?" Vada asks, and I can see her event planning mind working through possibilities. "Wedding and celebration experiences in incredible locations, real behind-the-scenes documentation instead of perfect final photos?"
"Exactly," I say, getting excited about the concept. "Couples could hire us to document their entire destination experience—the planning, the location scouting, the authentic moments, not the ceremony itself."
"That would be amazing," she says, turning to face me fully with bright eyes. "Travel meets event planning, adventure meets celebration."
"We could start with a few test collaborations," I suggest, envisioning how this could work. "Build a portfolio, develop the concept, see if there's market demand."
"Start where?" she asks with a smile suggesting she's hoping for the same answer I am.
"I could come to Portland," I say, leaning closer until there's barely any space between us. "I could base operations with you for a few months, help coordinate some local events while we develop the business model."
"You'd really consider that?" she asks, and there's something vulnerable in her voice that suggests this possibility matters more than just professional collaboration.
"Vada," I say, cupping her face in my hands because I need her to understand how serious I am about this, "I'd consider anywhere if it means building something amazing with you. Professional and personal."
When she kisses me in response, her hands thread through my hair, pulling me closer, and I'm amazed all over again by how perfectly we fit together.
My phone buzzes with an incoming video call, and I'm about to decline it when I see the caller ID: Stella. My sister, who has impeccable timing and absolutely no patience for being ignored when she wants to talk.
"That's my sister," I tell Vada, pulling back reluctantly from the kiss. "I should probably answer, or she'll keep calling until I do."
"Of course," Vada says, straightening her hair and looking slightly nervous in a way that makes my chest warm with affection. "Should I give you privacy?"
"Would you mind staying?" I say, realizing this might be the perfect opportunity. "I've been wanting you to meet her, and Stella's been curious about why I've been so distracted this week."
"You've been distracted?" Vada asks with obvious delight.
"Completely distracted," I confirm, accepting the video call. "Hey, Stella. Perfect timing as always."
My sister's face appears on the screen with the kind of knowing smile that suggests she's been waiting for this call all week. Stella Wise-Morrison, successful architect, devoted wife and mother, and the person who knows me better than anyone else in the world.
"Emory!" she says with excitement. "Finally! I've been dying to hear about this mysterious tropical vacation that has you posting the most romantic content of your entire career."
"It's not mysterious," I protest, though I'm grinning despite myself. "It's Erika’s wedding celebration."
"Right," Stella says with the expression of someone who doesn't believe that explanation for a second. "And the gorgeous woman who's been featuring in all your posts is just a random wedding guest?"
Before I can formulate a response that doesn't immediately reveal everything, Vada leans into the camera frame.
"Hi," she says with a smile that's genuine and slightly nervous. "You must be Stella. I'm Vada."
The silence that follows lasts exactly long enough for me to see Stella's expression cycle through surprise, recognition, and absolute delight.
"Vada," Stella repeats slowly, and I can practically hear her brain processing this information. "As in Vada, college girlfriend Vada, the one Emory never actually got over despite claiming he was completely fine?"
"Stella," I warn, though heat is rising in my cheeks because my sister has never been subtle about anything.
"Oh my God," Stella continues with growing excitement, "you're the event planning woman from his stories! The one who understood his travel dreams and made him feel like he could conquer the world!"
"You told her about me?" Vada asks, turning to look at me with an expression of surprise and something softer.
"I may have mentioned you," I admit, which makes Stella laugh with obvious delight.
"Mentioned," Stella repeats with sisterly accuracy. "Emory, you spent three years comparing every woman you dated to your college girlfriend. 'Vada would have understood this.' 'Vada always encouraged my dreams.' 'Vada made everything feel possible.'"
"I did not say all that," I protest, though my face is definitely betraying me with heat.
"You absolutely did," Stella says with the confidence of someone who has receipts. "Which is why I cannot believe you're sitting there with her right now, looking happier than I've seen you in years, and trying to play it casual."
"It's not casual," Vada says with the kind of honesty that makes my heart skip. "We're figuring out how to make this work for real."
"Thank God," Stella says with obvious relief. "Because watching my brother pine for someone for eight years while dating other people was getting depressing."
"I wasn't pining," I start, but both women give me looks that suggest this argument is not going to be successful.
"Vada," Stella says, "tell me you're considering keeping him. Because he's been a mess without you, even though he's too stubborn to admit it."
"I'm definitely considering keeping him," Vada says with a laugh that makes my chest warm.
"Stella," I try to interrupt, but she's clearly just getting started.
"Excellent," Stella says with satisfaction. "Because Tom and I were starting to plan an intervention about his dating life, and this is much better than having to sit him down to create a dating app profile."
"Tom's your husband?" Vada asks, clearly trying to keep up with my family dynamics.
"Husband and co-conspirator in worrying about Emory's love life," Stella confirms. "Though honestly, we stopped worrying the minute we saw his social media this week. You can't fake the way he looks at you in those photos."
"How does he look at me?" Vada asks with curiosity that suggests she genuinely wants to know.
"Like you're the most fascinating person he's ever met and he can't believe he gets to touch you," Stella says with the bluntness that's her trademark. "Also like he wants to show you the entire world and protect you from everything, simultaneously."
"That's... actually accurate," I admit, which makes both women laugh.
"So what's the plan?" Stella asks with the practical energy of someone who wants concrete information. "I hope this isn't just vacation romance if you're introducing her to family."
"We're figuring stuff out," I say carefully. "Basically, they were thinking about the hurdles of location, balancing work and life, and creating something that lasts instead of just getting swept away by this romantic setting."
"Smart," Stella says with obvious approval. "Seriously, you guys click! Watching you two work and even just the photos, it's clear there's way more than just physical attraction happening. You operate like a team that's been at it forever."
"It's definitely not just physical attraction," Vada agrees, though her cheeks pink slightly. "Though that part is... also very good."
"TMI!" I say quickly, while Stella laughs with obvious delight.
"I like her," Stella announces unnecessarily. "She's exactly what you need, someone who encourages your dreams while calling you on your bullshit."
"I haven't called him on any bullshit yet," Vada points out.
"Give it time," Stella says with confidence. "Trust me, he needs someone who won't let him overthink himself out of good opportunities."
"Speaking of opportunities," I say, trying to steer the conversation away from my psychological analysis, "Vada and I are discussing business collaboration. Combining travel content with event planning for destination celebration experiences."
"I think you two could make anything work," Stella says with complete confidence. "Honestly, it all boils down to are you willing to give building something together a real shot, or just doing your own thing in separate places?”
"We're working on it," I say, looking at Vada with the certainty that's been growing stronger every day we're together.
"Good," Stella says with satisfaction. "Because life's too short to waste second chances, especially when it's this obvious you're meant to be together."
Before either of us can respond to that declaration, voices carry from Vada's suite through our shared wall—Maya's distinctive laugh followed by what sounds like multiple women talking at once.
"That's my cue," Vada says with obvious reluctance. "Maya and some of the other women are planning pre-bachelor party activities, and I should probably join them before they come looking for me."
"Of course. I forgot about that."
"Stella," Vada says, turning back to the camera with genuine warmth, "it was so wonderful meeting you."
"Thank you for being brave enough to give him another chance," Stella replies with sisterly sincerity. "And Vada? He's worth the geographic complications. Trust me on that."
After Vada disappears into her suite through our connecting door, Stella fixes me with the expression of someone who has important things to say.
"Emory," she starts with unusual seriousness, "I need you to listen to me carefully."
"I'm listening."
"Don't overthink this," she says with the authority of someone who knows my psychological patterns too well. "Don't analyze it to death or create problems that don't exist or convince yourself you're not ready for this level of partnership."
"I'm not—"
"You are," Stella interrupts. "I can see it in your face. You're already starting to worry about logistics and timeline and whether you deserve this happiness. Stop it."
"It's complicated, Stella. We live in different cities, we have separate businesses, we've been back in each other's lives for less than a week…"
"So?" she says with characteristic bluntness. "Complicated doesn't mean impossible. You're both successful adults who are clearly crazy about each other. Figure out the logistics, but don't let logistics prevent you from choosing happiness."
"What if we move too fast and ruin it again?" I ask, voicing the fear I've been trying not to acknowledge.
"What if you move too slowly and waste it again?
" Stella counters. "Hey, Emory, things are different now.
You've both really come into your own since college, done amazing things with your careers, and figured out what you truly want in a relationship.
This isn't just going back to old habits; you're both grown-ups now, realizing you're just better off together than not.”
"When did you become a relationship expert?" I ask with affection for my sister's wisdom.
"When I watched my brother spend eight years dating other people while obviously still in love with someone else," she says simply. "Tom and I have been waiting for this phone call for years."
"You have not."
"We have," she insists. "Tom owes me fifty dollars, actually. I bet him you'd find your way back to each other."
"You bet on my love life?"
"Successfully," Stella says with obvious satisfaction.
"Stella, we're not—"
"Yet," she interrupts. "You're not engaged yet. But Emory, I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her. Don't let fear or logistics or overthinking rob you of something this good."
Sitting there after talking to Stella, I let everything sink in. The whole business partnership idea, how great it was for Vada and Stella to meet, and just this feeling that Vada and I are heading somewhere real instead of just playing it safe.