Page 67 of Blitzing Emily

“Yes. Mom, I’ll talk with you later.”

“Honey, please stay.”

“No, thank you.” She hauled breath into her lungs. Showing her anger, frustration and embarrassment was out of the question right now. “No matter how you feel about my choices, you’re right. I’m an adult. I’m capable of making my own way, and I have been for a long time now.” She looked into her father’s eyes. “Thank you for supporting me for so long. I love you both very much, but I can take it from here. Brandon’s my guest. Even more, he’s—he’s my friend. I’m choosing to be with him, and I don’t understand why you’re treating him so rudely.”

“Maybe we should talk about this some more,” Meg said.

“No, Mom. Dad’s done talking right now, and so am I.”

Emily hurried out of the dining room without waiting for an answer. She snatched up her handbag from the hall table, flung open the front door, and stumbled down the porch stairs. Brandon was right behind her.

“Emily,” her mother called out.

Emily heard thechirpof the locks as Brandon’s car doors disengaged. She wrenched the passenger door open and turned to look back at her mother.

“Don’t leave like this,” Meg pleaded. She stood on the sidewalk only feet away from them. She clasped her hands in front of her.

“Mom, I love you a lot, but we need to go.”

Meg extended her hand to Brandon. “It was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you, too, ma’am. I apologize for leaving such a delicious dinner.” He thought for a moment. “I hope we’ll meet again under better circumstances.”

A surprised expression crossed her mother’s face, but she said, “Yes, that would be nice.” She turned and went back into the house.

BRANDON FOUND Aparking spot a couple of blocks away and pulled into it. He turned toward Emily. She wrapped her arms around herself like she was attempting to keep her organs inside. She felt terrible, but she felt even worse for Brandon. He didn’t ask for this.

“I’m so sorry,” Emily gasped. “I can’t believe my dad acted like that. Does he think I’m not old enough to make my own decisions? Why does he ... I’m sorry.”

“Come here. We’ll be fine.” His arms slid around Emily. She felt him, warm and solid against her. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“It was awful. I am so embarrassed.”

“Shh,” he comforted.

“Aren’t you mad?”

“I don’t like the fact your dad upset you like this.” He kissed her forehead. “We will work this out. I want to keep seeing you, so I need to make peace with him.”

“I am as responsible as you are. Why can’t he see this? I ...” Her voice trailed off as he cupped her face in one hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb. She remembered she had pulled him away from an entire plate of food, too. “You’re probably still hungry.”

He looked somewhat amused. “Let’s go grab a bite. We’ll go for a walk at Marina Park later.”

“Baby, I still—”

“No more apologizing. Everything’s going to be fine.” His dimple flashed as his lips curved into a dazzling smile. “So, I’m your pal.” He sat back in his seat, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

She lifted a brow. “Maybe.”

“Maybe Katie’s at the park today, too.”

He shifted the car into gear and drove away, but not before Emily saw gratitude in his eyes.

Chapter Thirteen

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLEenjoyed the sunny spring afternoon in Kirkland’s Marina Park. Boats zipped by on the lake; kids ran and played on the beach while their parents relaxed on blankets spread over the grass. Brandon and Emily were shown to a table at The Slip, a small restaurant overlooking the park. Brandon reached across the table for her hand after drinks and food were ordered.

“Listen,” he said. “We need to talk about something.”

---