Page 64 of Save the Date

Will looked at his phone and grinned. “We’re up to number fifty-eight.”

“Oh my god, really?” Emma squealed. It blew her mind that their show was now more popular thanThe Happiness Labwith Dr. Laurie Santos, which was in her own regular listening rotation. It was both good and bad to know that one of the quickest ways to feel happy was to have a successful podcast.

“And Anika just sent me a link. Apparently, we already have our own subreddit. People are popping off in the comments.”

“Let me see,” Emma replied as Will walked into the kitchen with the lavalier mic in his hand. She tried to grab his phone but he put it back in his pocket.

“No way. I’m not letting you get lost down a Reddit rabbit hole.”

“Why, does everyone hate me? I knew my voice was too high-pitched for audio.”

“You have a great voice,” Will replied as he untangled the mic’s long cord. “It’s just not going to be productive for you to read random people arguing with each other right now. Let’sbuild the showwewant to make before paying too much attention to other people’s opinions.”

“I hate it when you’re reasonable.”

“That does seem to be our central conflict.” Will held up the lav. “Do you know how to put this on?”

“Not a clue.”

“We need to clip this part to your pants and snake this part up your shirt and clip it to your collar.” Will had a battery pack in one hand and a small mic in the other.

“Okay.”

“Do you want to do it, or do you want me to do it?”

“You’re the expert.”

Will nodded and took a step forward. He seemed unusually bashful and Emma realized he was worried about having to touch her. But why was he worried? Did he think he was crossing a professional line? Or was he concerned that once he started, he wouldn’t want to stop?

“I just need you to lift up your shirt.”

Emma did as she was told and stood completely still as Will slipped the silver clip over her jeggings. He then slightly tugged at the battery pack to make sure it was secure, revealing even more skin. “That part’s good.”

Emma nodded, trying to appear nonchalant even as her heart sped up. It was the closest they’d physically been to each other since…No. Thinking about that wasn’t a smart idea. They were finally getting good at being friends.

“And then we normally put this part under the shirt to conceal it but since we aren’t recording video I can just clip it over your shirt.” Will was now standing directly in front of Emma, their faces only inches apart. She was wearing one of her go-to black tank tops, which meant he was contemplating how to clip on the mic without touching her cleavage.

“Is it okay if I…?” Will gestured to the area in question.

“Go for it,” Emma replied, delighting in her ability to flusterhim. She’d never been someone who felt irresistible before. She knew her various partners and hookups were attracted to her, but she’d never believed that her body was so undeniably hot it caused men to lose control of themselves. Seeing Will this nervous—ostensibly because of her boobs—was strangely empowering. And rather erotic.

“I’m just going to clip it in the middle so it’s closest to your mouth,” Will explained as his hands manipulated the shirt’s thin fabric. They both knew she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“Okay,” she said barely louder than a whisper.

They watched as he attached the microphone clip, neither one remembering to breathe. Emma suddenly understood why so many people had affairs. Not being allowed to kiss someone really did make you want to kiss them even more.

“How’s that feel?” Will asked as he took a step back, breaking the moment before it turned into something they couldn’t take back.

Emma tested out the placement by turning, twisting and pretending to pack. “It’s good. Thank you.”

“No problem. Just doing my moderately paid job.” Will went over to his laptop to hit Record; Emma was officially on the record.

“If you help me with the kitchen, I’ll also let you do the medicine cabinets,” Emma offered as she handed Will a box.

“Deal. Would love to know what’s holding that bizarre mind of yours together.”

“I keep all my psychotropics in my purse, thank you very much.”

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