Page 89 of Blitzing Emily

“Nice to see you stopped by the bakery. I told you I was gaining weight.”

Emily set the box and the coffee tray on Amy’s worktable. “It’s a pretty big occasion,” she said.

“Better be.” Amy pulled a chocolate iced doughnut from the box and took a bite. “God, this is good. I can only imagine what you might be celebrating.” She leaned closer to Emily. “Let’s see here. Flushed, smiling, eyes sparkling, hair’s got that tousled look.” Her sister pointed at her with the doughnut. “You just boinked Brandon.”

Emily bit into a lemon tart, and tried not to look so damn obvious.

“Oh, I needallthe details.” Amy grabbed her coffee cup and another doughnut. “Spit it out.”

“Have you talked to Mom?”

“Quit it. I need to know.” The phone rang. “This will not get you out of some answers. Hello, Crazy Daisy.” Amy listened for a moment, and Emily saw an evil smile steal over her lips. “Brandon, it’s so nice of you to call.” Emily choked on her coffee. “No, no, things are fine. I’d love to help you with that. Is there anything specific you’d like to send?” She listened for a few more minutes and said, “I’ll get right on it. What would you like on the card?” She scribbled on the notepad next to the phone. “I’ll make sure she gets them this afternoon. Thanks for thinking of me.” She laughed. “I’ll be sure to do that. You, too. Bye.”

She hung up the phone and said, “If you don’t marry him, I will. He said he wanted to send something as lush and as beautiful as you are.”

“He makes me sound like the Amazon rainforest.”

“You’re getting Ariana roses and freesia,” Amy said. “Maybe some white lilies and greens. I got some this morning. They’re gorgeous.”

“Maybe it’s bad that he’s not sending red roses.”

“Everyone else does. They’re boring.” Amy grinned at her sister. “He said that I was the professional and I knew what would make you happy. He also said that he wants a bunch of my business cards to give out to guys on the team who are always looking to send flowers, so I scored. Maybe he’d like a case of microbrew as a thank-you gift.” She plunked down on the stool by the worktable. “Out with it. What happened yesterday?”

Emily was ebullient, but also a little scared. She’d spent the previous night having sheet-scorching sex with a man she adored. A box of baked goods sat open in front of her, Brandon was sending flowers, and the day was shaping up to be spectacular. At the same time, she had a big confession to make.

“I don’t know what to do,” Emily said.

“Take him back to bed later. Doesn’t that sound like a plan? It does to me.” Amy bit off another huge chunk of chocolate-frosted doughnut.

“I’m in love with him.”

Amy flew around the table to throw her arms around Emily. “Finally. I have been waiting to hear you say that.” She returned to her chair, sat down, put her chin in her hand, and said, “You’re shaking. You’re scared shitless, you big chicken.”

“I thought I was in love before,” Emily said.

“You are the only woman on the planet that could have an evening with a man most women would do just about anything to body slam, and not be quivering with happiness afterward,” Amy said. “Buck up, little camper.”

“It’s not that I’m not happy—”

“I can’t believe you. You’re not doing this, Em. Iknowyou. What happened?”

Emily let out a sigh. “Well, you know about what happened at Icicle Creek.”

Amy’s grin was positively saucy. “Everyone knows by now. Where’d you go after you guys gave the Cub Scouts an eyeful?”

“His house. We didn’t get out of bed all day yesterday.”

“Details.”

“I don’t think so,” Emily said.

Amy took a sip of her coffee. “Was it good? And how many times?” Her sister was teasing her, but Emily saw the happiness in her face.

“I’m not going to t—”

“You tell me everything else.”

Emily closed her eyes for a moment.

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