Chapter Eighteen
Emerson
Luke had been friendly but distant. I wasn't sure if he was upset with me or if he was just trying to give me the space I had asked for. I hadn't intended to not talk to him but more just not kiss him anymore.
“Emmy!” Ryan ran up and grabbed me and twirled me around in a hug. I hadn't really talked to him since he interrupted us the other night. I wasn’t sure exactly how much he knew, but considering how close he and Luke were, I just assumed he knew everything.
“Hey!” I laughed as he continued to spin us.
“You gonna run with us this morning?”
“No, I have a report I have to submit in the next few days. So, I really need to work on it.”
“Well drink up and get to work.” He smacked me on the back as I walked away.
I laughed, grabbed my coffee cup, and disappeared into the house.
***
My phone rang a few minutes after noon, and I reached for it.
“Hello?”
“Emmy?”
“Rachel?”
“Yes! I lost my phone and all of my contacts were in it. You have been avoiding social media obviously because you haven't answered any of my messages from last night!”
“You sent me messages?”
“Umm. YES! I have some awesome news! And I want to tell EVERYONE, but I wanted to tell you first!”
“Yeah?” I said, even though I already knew what the news was.
“Charles and I are getting married.”
“Yay! That's amazing. I'm so happy for you.”
“I'm over the moon.”
“I bet you are,” I proclaimed.
“So, how are things out there? Have you told the hot neighbor you’re into him?”
“Really? You just got engaged and this is what you want to talk about?”
“Are you at least getting laid?”
“What? No.”
“Well, you should be. Don't waste that gorgeous body.”
I laughed. “Shut up. Now, when are you coming out to visit?” I asked.
“I have a week off coming up, and I would love to fly out and see you for at least a few days.”
“That would be amazing! There is a lot of testosterone out here and not enough estrogen.”
“Awww, you do miss me?” she cooed.
“You know I do!”
“Well, we shall remedy said affliction. By the way, do you know how many people I called before I thought about getting your number from Charlie’s phone?”
“You crack me up.” I laughed into the phone.
“It’s my job. Okay, I have to call like my mom and stuff,” she laughed. “I'll call you later this week and give you the details of when I can come out.”
“Awesome! We can stay in Portland for the day and see everyone. Granddad says you’re always welcome there.”
“Aww, I love that man. Is he okay now?”
“As crazy as ever. He wanted out of the hospital the day after.”
“Yup, that sounds about right. Tell them I said hi when you get a chance.”
“I will. Hey, I'm sorry I haven’t called much.”
“Girl, please. I know how you are when you get a new grant. There were weeks when we lived together that you didn't speak to me. I miss you though.”
“I miss you too. Love you, talk to you soon.”
“Love you too, bye.”
And she was gone. I was a shitty friend, but at least she knew me and my quirks. This was another reason why I never dated. There would be times where I was so focused on work that I didn't pay attention to anything else around me, and while that hadn't necessarily been the case, I was going to let it be at least for now. She would understand when she got here and saw my neighbors.
***
I worked more than usual over the next two weeks, and I avoided Luke as much as possible. We were always friendly and talked a little here and there, but he kept his distance and so did I.
When Friday rolled around, I drove to Portland and picked up Rachel. We spent the weekend with my family, and then I brought her back to the house Sunday. We stayed up until midnight watching Harry Potter and drinking wine then crashed.
When she heard the yelling and chopping the next morning at seven a.m., she stumbled out of bed and shouted at me, scaring me half-senseless.
“You lying bitch!” she pointed at me.
“What?”
“You have two of the hottest men ever, shirtless and sweaty chopping wood in your backyard.”
“Yeah, and?”
“Why didn't you tell me they were Magic Mike hot?”
“There was nothing to tell?”
“Bullshit, I am calling it now.”
I wiped the sleep from my eyes and then stood, pulling back the curtain. My eyes found Luke, and I smiled a little.
“You sneaky little slut! You are totally doing it the dark haired gorgeous one.”
“I am not,” I defended.
“I don't believe you.”
“I'm not, I swear.”
“Well... you should be.”
My face flushed.
“Oh, this is good shit right here. You so want him. Look how red your face is,” she teased.
“We might have kissed once.”
“Kissed?”
“Yeah and made out a little, but it wasn't anything, and I told him afterwards that I didn't think it was a good idea.”
“What the—? Why the hell would you do that? Could you even imagine what it would feel like to have sex with all that?” She waved her hand in a circular motion around Luke.
I stared down at Luke and smiled again. “Oh, the imagining has happened, but honestly I won't be here forever, and why should I start something I'm just gonna have to leave?”
“What is wrong with you?” She placed a hand on my forehead. “Why wouldn't you?” She stared at me like I had lost my mind. “And dear God, if Charles wasn't the love of my life, I would take a spin with his tall, lean friend there.”
“That's Ryan.”
“Like email Ryan?”
“Yeah, and he is just as awesome in person as you witnessed through email,” I told her.
“I would think so.” She stood at the window looking out over the two of them. I was a little jealous that I had shared them.
“Okay what are we doing today?” she asked, still looking.
“Hanging out. There really isn't a lot to do.” I shrugged.
“And yet you haven't had sex with any of that. It really is a shame.”
“You know I have been working.”
“Well take me where you work. I want to see these magical woods you speak of.”
“Okay let's get some coffee and then we can head out,” I suggested.
“Yes! All the coffee!” she growled.
When we walked out of the door, Ryan stopped and walked toward us.
“Who is this lovely lady?” He smiled his mischievous smile, and I stepped in front of him.
“No.” I pointed at him, and I heard Luke laughing in the background.
“What? I was just asking,” Ryan said.
“She is attached to someone, and that person isn't you.”
“I was just being friendly,” he pouted.
“Yeah, I know your kind of friendly.”
“Name’s Rachel, and sorry but you are about two years too late.”
“And what a shame that is,” Ryan added. “It's nice to meet you, Rachel.” He reached a hand out to her, and they shook.
“Hi. Luke.” He stepped over and introduced himself. I was completely distracted and didn't even notice how close he was until he said something.
“Hi.” Rachel winked at him. “I’m Rachel, and I have heard sooo much about you,” she chided.
“Is that right?” He smiled. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Rachel.” He looked down at me. “How are you?” he asked.
I had to steady my breathing. “I'm good. Busy. Trying to wrap up the first part of my research. Then, Rachel decided to pop in and disrupt my life for a few days.”
“Thanks for the note by the way,” he said, smiling softly at me.
“Didn’t want you to worry,” I replied.
His smile was kind, and I could see he wanted to say more. It was like that every time we talked over the last couple of weeks.
“I need to get with you about the competition coming up. Pass the details along and tell you where we’ll be,” he said.
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I'll come over later.”
I grabbed Rachel’s arm and turned her toward the woods, pulling her away from whatever conversation she’d been having with Ryan.
“I bet he needs to get with you,” Rachel whispered in my ear.
“Stop it!” I laughed.
“I see the way he looks at you. That is sooo not an I want to be your friend look.” She looked me in the eyes.
“I honestly don't know what to do.”
“Umm. No brainer. Him. You do him. How are we even friends and you not know this?” She ran her arm through mine, and we walked the path into the woods to my meadow.