26. STERLING
Buddy and I are hanging out by the lake like we do every morning. It’s definitely his favorite part of the day. He’d chase the ball into the water for hours if I let him.
It’s a nice distraction from thinking about last night, which I’ve been doing since the moment I woke up.
Emma is acting so strange.
It’s like we’re going backwards, from would-be-lovers, to friends, to awkward strangers, and I don’t even know why.
I thought we had a nice talk at Zoe’s last week and cleared up the misunderstanding about Sarah. But then we didn’t see each for a few days and at the auction she would barely look at me.
And last night I thought we’d be celebrating after another successful event, but she just kind of went home when it was over. Maybe she needed to get some sleep since we have one fundraiser left tonight.
I don”t know.
Still, the success of the events so far—how well everything is going on the shelter front—is undeniably exciting. As I watch Buddy, I think of all the strays like him that we’re going to be able to help.
I didn’t get a chance to tell Emma yet, but I’m keeping Buddy. I can no longer see my life without him. Plus, who will give my patients their proper butt sniff if he goes? Things would never be the same.
I call him over and he sits beside, positioning himself to get some pets.
“What are we gonna do about Emma, my little friend? Got any advice for me?”
He rolls over onto his back to let me know he’s ready for some belly rubs to commence. ”You’re no help.”
This is going to be a long afternoon. I almost wish I’d get a call somewhere, anything to eat up some time. But no call comes.
So there’s no other choice. Another deep clean it is, even though I’m not sure if my house really even needs it all this point. Although, a few of my socks are still missing their partners. So I might as well.
“Come on, Buddy,” I say,
He flips back over and trots beside me as I head inside to find some more domestic distraction.
***
Every seat is full. What an amazing sight! Emma said it was sold out, but it’s still different seeing it in person.
I got here early, but there really wasn’t anything to do. I offered to help the band bring in their equipment, but they already have people for that. So I’ve just been hanging out with Peter and Linda for the last few minutes.
Zoe is taking the tickets up front. She really loves people, so she was the obvious choice, again. She seems to enjoy it, so it was fine by me. Doing all that at the raffle was enough social time for the year for me.
Emma comes bouncing over to us, a huge grin on her face. She’s in a much different mood tonight.
She grabs my arm. “Isn’t the turnout amazing?” She actually squeals a little.
“Yes, it’s wild to see so many people in this place. I don’t think they’ve ever sold out anything here before. They’re in for a real treat when you break out that chicken dance.”
“Oh, I thought you were kidding about that?” She smiles nervously.
“Nope, it’s happening. Talked to the front man earlier.”
“You didn’t.”
“No, I didn’t. But I will.”
She pulls me forward. “There’s no time. Let’s go take our seats!”
Zoe slides in beside Mia and Emma just as the lights start to dim. I’m on her other side, followed by Peter and Linda.
Everyone jumps to their feet as the smoke starts to roll onstage. The drummer starts things off, hammering out a beat to get the crowd pumped and it works.
It’s so loud in here.
The rest of the band members come out one by one, grabbing their instruments and adding to the drumline. At last, the lead singer takes the mic and sings the first line of “Walking on Sunshine.”
I think it’s impossible not to be happy hearing the song.
Emma is right. This band is amazing. The crowd is loving it.
About an hour in, they start taking requests. I keep lifting my hand like I”m making a request, but Emma grabs it each time to yank it back down.
As our little game continues, I notice that she lets her hand linger on my arm a little more each time before she pulls it away.
Our dance of limbs repeats itself as the band takes more and more suggestions. Each time, we both laugh a little harder. I start trying to dart my hand in different directions to avoid her capture. But let’s be honest, I like being captured by her.
I really would love to see her on that stage shaking her moneymaker, doing the chicken dance. But I don’t think she actually wants to do it so I’m not going embarrass her. Eventually I stop my teasing.
As the night winds down, the band announces they”ll sing one last song. After the applause from the crowd, they thank everyone for coming. Then they ask Emma and I to come up on the stage.
She grabs my hand and I follow her. Hopefully, she’ll be the one who talks. Thankfully, it’s a short walk because the clamminess that attacks my palms is getting out of control quickly.
Nobody wants to hold hands with an over sweater.
The lead singer hands Emma the mic. Whew. Crisis averted. No talking for this guy.
Emma waves to the crowd.
“Thank you all so much for coming. You have made this project such a success.” She turns to me. “When Sterling and I first talked about trying to raise money for the shelter, I really didn’t know if it would happen.”
She smiles at me, then grabs my hand again. Oh boy, think of something cold. Ice cubes. Snow. Penguins. Why is it always penguins?
It’s no use, just start calling me “Sweaty Palms Sterling.”
“But thanks to all of your support. It’s going to happen. Cedar Creek will have a new, bigger animal shelter with Dr. Cole at the helm!” The crowd roars.
I look into the seas of faces to see Peter, Linda, Mia and Zoe cheering with their hands in the air.
What a ride this has been.
Emma hands the mic back and we walk back down the stairs to listen to the finale.
When it ends, people slowly head for the exits. I see nothing but happy faces. We sit in our seats for a few minutes just taking it all in.
Eventually, the six of us make our way to the front to talk to the band while the last few people straggle out. I go around to each bandmember and personally thank them.
While I’m talking to the drummer, music starts up from the sound system. It’s a great song, too, an absolute classic, “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon.
As I look around, I realize the rest of our group has disappeared.
Then the bandmembers wave and tell me to have a good night.
What is going on? Where did everybody go?
Then Emma comes sauntering toward me from off stage. My heart starts beating a mile a minute.
“You have a sec?” she asks.
“For you, all the time in the world, you know that,” I answer.
She takes my hands in hers and closes her eyes for a moment.
When she opens them again, she looks so sincere. I’m putty in her hands like always. “Look Sterling, I’m sorry for being weird last night.”
“You were being weird? I hadn’t noticed.”
She pokes me gently.
“After you left Zoe’s the other night, I made a pros and cons list for getting into a relationship with you.”
I tilt my head and arch my eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yes, don’t judge me. I like lists. They’re tangible evidence.”
“Ok, so how did I do?”
She puts my hands on her waist and then her arms around my neck. Her body starts swaying gently to the music and I follow her lead.
“You had some pros. She runs her fingers through my hair, then touches my eyes. “This and these.”
When I smile, she moves her hands to my dimples. “And those, of course.”
“And let’s not overlook, here,” she says as she runs her hands over my chest and then to my shoulders and down my arms.”
“Well, all this seems based on the physical. I’m not sure if I should be offended or not. You know I’m not just a boy toy,” I say as I pull her body closer against mine, smirking.
“I am just getting started.”
“Oh, okay, by all means, carry on.” She pulls away a little so that she can look me in the eyes.
“These physical traits are all nice, but it’s more than that. You’re more than that. You’re kind and thoughtful. You’re funny and genuine and you truly care about people, about me. No one else has ever come compared to you. By the time I was fifteen, you had already ruined me.”
I cock my head. “Ruined in a good way, I mean,” she says with an adorable grin.
“And the cons?”
“Well, there were two. Peter was one of them, but I decided that he doesn’t count anymore. I can take care of myself. So, then there was just one.”
I’m almost afraid to ask but I have to. “And?”
She stops dancing. “I don’t live here. And I don’t like long distance relationships.”
I bite my lip to keep from saying anything and feel my head droop. But then her hand gently lifts my chin so I’m looking at her again.
“So that’s why I reached out to my Aunt Susan who’s on the school board at Cedar Creek Elementary School. Apparently, they need a third-grade teacher because someone retired.”
I feel my heart rate spike, but I need her to say it to make it real.
“And you got it?”
“I got it! I wanted to surprise you tonight, that’s why I kind of avoided you yesterday. I’m not good at keeping secrets.”
I can’t wait any longer. I lift her in the air and let her body slide down on mine until my lips meet hers. There’s no dog to trip us, no phones to ring and no siblings to interrupt what is going to be our longest kiss yet.
My fingers thread through Emma”s hair and then move to the back of her neck, bringing her closer still. She gasps into my mouth. I need to hear that sound again.
Our kiss deepens as she moves her arms, first to my back, nails grasping and then to the front, twisting my shirt. Her hands are demanding my body stay close to hers and I”m happy to oblige.
I push her dress strap gently away from her collarbone, then kiss every available inch of skin in a path from one side of her neck to the other. Goosebumps explode at the brush of my lips, and I feel her body shiver.
I playfully trace a path along her jawline, but she grabs my face, directing me back to her lips. No complaints here. Wherever she leads, I”m more than willing to follow. Emma kisses me like she”s been in the Sahara for months and I”m her only water source. It”s urgent, craving, longing. I”m happy to be her oasis for as long as she needs. I don”t want her to ever go thirsty.
I wrap my arms around her waist as our kiss continues, fast then slow, soft then hard. We are taking our time, speaking volumes to each other without a word. It”s perfect.
When she finally pulls away, she licks her lips. I”m hoping I”ve quenched her thirst. But maybe I should just double check.
I put one last soft kiss on her lips, and she leans her head on my chest while I run my fingers gently through her hair. We stay that way for a minute before I ask, “Did you pick this song?”
She giggles. “It was my backup plan in case I didn’t have the nerve to tell you how I feel.”
“‘I Can’t Fight This Feeling,’ huh, clever. Were you just going to stand there and let the song play?”
“If I had to.” She’s too cute for words.
My Emma. I can finally say that out loud. But honestly, it’s more like I’m her Sterling. And I always will be.