Page 61 of Stay With Me

Emily giggles. “What?” She places a hand across her chest dramatically. “You two don’t hang out normally? I hadn’t noticed,” she deadpans.

Trina rolls her eyes and I watch, mildly amused but still very confused by how this came about.

They go back and forth a few more times, and I don’t mind, because then I don’t feel obligated to speak. But apparently Trina has had enough.

“You both are ridiculous,” Trina adds. “I should’ve known you two would be unbearable hanging out together in a small group.” Her tone sounds annoyed, but she wears a hint of a smile despite it.

“Ben, you havenoidea how glad I am to have another sunshine here to even out this grumpy sunshine dynamic.” Emily gestures between her, me, and Trina.

Emily’s smile is bright, and I’m happy to just sit back and watch her enjoy herself.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not grumpy,” Trina objects. Ben gives her the side-eye.

“Okay, sure,” Emily says. “And the pope’s not catholic.”

I chuckle and Trina turns her glare on me.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing. They’re calling you grumpy, too.” Trina offers me a satisfied smirk.

“What? No, I’m one of the sunshines, too,” I feign. “Right, Em?” I turn my head to her, awaiting her response.

She simply widens her eyes and bites at her lower lip. It’s not meant to be sexy, but it is, and I have to turn away.

“Well, you’re grumpy sometimes. But not as grumpy as Trina. You’re more the quiet, introspective type.” We all chuckle at that, even Trina relents.

The doorbell rings and Trina stands. “You can all kiss my grumpy ass. I’m gonna go get the door.”

Two and a half hours later, the realtor has come and gone with promises to email Emily paperwork to review and sign if she wants to proceed with listing the house. We’ve all eaten the amazingly delicious meal Emily made, and we’re back on the patio enjoying a bottle of wine. Even Trina seems to enjoy herself, and I’m glad to see it.

Emily turns to me. “Can I have your phone to go connect your Sirius radio to the Bluetooth speakers?” I smile at her and pull it out of my shorts pocket, type in the passcode and hand it to her. She heads into the house and is gone for several minutes. I’m assuming she’s struggling with getting it connected and I’m just about to head in to check on her when she returns.

“Here.” She hands me my phone without making eye contact.

And though we stay outside another hour before calling it a night, something is clearly off with Emily that wasn’t before. While I’m gathering my stuff, Trina and Ben say goodbye and leave.

When we’re at the door, I ask her, “Are you all right? Something seems off since you went in the house to set up the Bluetooth.”

“No. I’m fine. I’m just exhausted and want to go to bed.” I’m not convinced by her words, though, and she’s not looking me in the eye.

I open my mouth to speak, but she cuts me off before I can.

“Goodnight.”

I look at her for a few seconds, but she still won’t meet my gaze. “Em? I thought we don’t avoid the hard conversations anymore. You’re clearly upset?—”

“I said goodnight.”

I stand there for a few seconds, then give up.

“Goodnight, sunshine.” Not knowing what else to do, I turn and walk out the door to go home.

CHAPTER24

CHARLIE

It’s been one hell of a day to be working the ambulance. It’s only four-thirty p.m. and Finn and I have done back-to-back emergency calls since we got on shift this morning. We’ve just dropped off our most recent patient in the ER and are getting ready to leave when we run into Annie as she’s walking out of her office. She’s Assistant Nurse Manager at First City ER and soon to be marrying Jack.

“Hey Fitz, Finn. You guys have been keeping us busy today,” Annie says.

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