Page 60 of Save the Date

“I’m so happy for you two,” Matt’s youngest sister, Katie, said. She was the only sibling not having to split focus with a demanding toddler or newborn. “We should probably let you guys celebrate.”

“But I have more questions,” Matt’s other sister, Mary, whined as her husband, Shane, completely zoned out next toher. Mary’s dour facial expressions had made it known from the beginning of the call that she was the most skeptical of the bunch. “She’s going to be my sister-in-law even though I don’t know herat all.”

“There’ll be plenty of time to get to know each other when we fly out for the wedding,” Matt’s father replied. “Your mother is already looking into flights.”

“What airline?” Matt’s brother, Dave, asked with the kind of energy that suggested this was a contentious topic in their family—much like the 405 freeway was in Emma’s.

After another five minutes of airline debate, goodbyes and one more close up of what Emma had to assume was at least a two-carat diamond, they finally hung up.

It was Emma’s and Matt’s first time alone as an engaged couple.

“Your family is great,” Emma said, meaning it. It was obvious the Monroys cared deeply about each other even if their decidedly Midwestern vibe was a bit of a culture shock. Emma could already tell that twenty-six-year-old Katie was likely to be her closest ally because she hadn’t once said the wordsblessedorgod willing.

“They can be a little much,” Matt offered politely. “But I can tell they really like you.”

“Even Mary?” Emma asked as Matt laughed.

“She’s just protective. The first time I took Kelly home to meet them, Mary cornered her for the entire night grilling her with question after question. But by the time we left two days later, they were best friends.”

“Do they still talk?”

“No,” Matt replied before fully considering the question. A look of concern crossed his face. “At least I don’t think so.”

Emma nodded, not knowing what to say next. As much as she liked Matt, they didn’t have the level of repartee she was used to in her relationships. She suspected Matt might still becarrying around too much grief over the end of his marriage for him to be fully present with her. It was like looking at a work of art covered in a layer of grime and dust. She could see the beauty underneath but wasn’t sure how to access it without doing more damage.

“Is there anyone else you want to call?” Matt asked.

“I don’t think so. You?”

“Nope.”

They locked eyes and Matt shifted slightly closer to Emma on the couch. He reached his hand out and slowly caressed her face. Emma tried not to breathe too loudly despite her nerves and surgically constructed small nasal passages. He leaned in and suddenly they were kissing with more intensity than Emma expected. He was one of the best kissers she’d experienced in her rather eventful dating history, and something about the way Matt touched her helped wash her nervousness away. She was able to zone in and focus on her body in a way that normally eluded her.

“Did you want to go to the bedroom?” Matt asked, his voice husky and a bit ragged.

“Yes, please,” Emma replied even though the break in physical contact had caused her brain to reengage. She suddenly felt unsure if she was ready to go all the way. But Matt was already holding his hand out to help her. She followed him up the stairs to the primary bedroom, the whole time focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Her knee injury had required her to relearn how to go up and down stairs without second-guessing herself. It was similar to how her broken heart was making it difficult to effortlessly fall into bed with her new fiancé, even if her lower half really wanted to.

Matt sat down on his all-white bed. Emma wasn’t sure if this clean look was his preference or a holdover from life with Kelly. She’d always found all-white bedding devoid of personality. But then again, Emma wasn’t known for her taste.

“Come here,” Matt said with a level of authority Emma could get behind. She stood between his legs as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He was so tall they were almost the same height with him seated. Emma leaned down slightly and kissed him. He then masterfully picked her up and flipped her onto the bed. Suddenly she was on her back, and he was on top of her, kissing her neck and her chest and—

A loud jingle suddenly rang throughout the apartment, jolting them apart.

“What is that?” Emma asked, her heart racing from a mix of sexual arousal and primal fear.

“The doorbell,” Matt replied as he got up and adjusted himself.

“You have a doorbell?” Emma’s mind flashed back to her entire family standing uselessly in the hallway.

“Yeah, it’s a little off to the side. Let me go check who it is.”

“What if it’s a murderer?”

“Then the security guard is in a lot of trouble for letting them up here.”

Matt made his way to the front door as Emma tried to fix her bangs behind him. If an intruder was going to take Matt down, they would go down together.

“Oh, hey man,” Matt said as he opened the door.

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