Page 48 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

One week, but who’s counting?

“It feels like it happened yesterday and also six years ago.”

“Also to be expected. But are you getting out? Or are you staying cooped up in that house?”

My mind runs through everything I’ve done since I’ve been here. I feel myself smile as I think back. Probably because Emmett is attached to every single moment.

“I’ve been getting out,” I say as I take my ice cream and go sit on the couch. “I’ve gone to the beach. Went shopping. Bought a new pair of shoes.”

“Of course you did,” Maeve says with a sigh. “What about meals? Please tell me you’re doing more than ordering Uber Eats every night.”

“Some nights yes,” I admit. “Some nights no.”

“Oh!”

I didn’t think she’d soundthatsurprised. Then again, I don’t even like going to the bathroom by myself in public.

“Look at you, trying new things. Solo dining is a big one.”

“Yeah.” The guilt is laced in my voice. I can hear it, which means I know Maeve can too.

“Stella…what aren’t you saying?”

I have two options here. Lie my face off, only for my big sister to call me out on it. Or I could just skip that part and tell the truth.

Ugh, I hate being a grown-up and doing the mature thing.

“I’ve…met someone.”

My admission stuns her silent. Or so I guess. She’s not replying, and I can’t even hear her breathe.

“Maeve? Are you there?”

“Did you say you met someone? As in a man?”

“Why do you assume it’s a man?”

“Because if it was a girl or a gay you met at the shoe store, you wouldn’t have stopped talking. You wouldn’t have paused in the middle. You would have went on for five minutes and given me the full Stella FBI background check on them.”

Ugh. Damn Maeve and her damn know-it-allness.

“Fine, it’s a man.” I start to tell her about Emmett, but I stop myself.

Should I tell her it’s Emmett? I assumed we’d tell Simon we met when I got back to Nashville, but something right now is stopping me from admitting who he is to Maeve. Not because I’m ashamed, but because somehow telling Maeve about him—which is the same thing as telling the rest of my siblings, because she will report it immediately—will ruin what we have.

And selfishly, I want Emmett all to myself. At least while we’re in Destin.

“He’s staying nearby. Traveling for work. We saw each other on the beach and struck up a conversation. We’ve been to dinner a few times. That’s it.”

There. Perfect. Not any lies. Just not the whole truth.

“Stella…”

“Maeve, you don’t need to worry. I’m fine. Plus, it’s not like that.”

I mean, it’s not. Technically. So what if my eyes roam a little? Or I melted when his fingers held my chin delicately in his hand? Or that every time he calls me Tiger I have to stop myself from thinking that it’s anything more than friendly. Because it is. He’s said it many times. We’re friends. That’s it. I’m Simon’s little sister, whom he’s become friends with. That’s it.

“I’m not going to tell you how to live your life.”

---