Page 66 of Stay With Me

She doesn’t speak, not even to deny that she’s been avoiding me.

I shake my head and turn to look at her. “What do you say I take you home?”

“No. I can just get an Uber. I don’t need your help.” Her tone is dismissive.

“Jesus, Em. I’m trying to be patient, but I have no idea what I did to make you mad at me. And I’m not letting you get in an Uber when you’ve been drinking and you’re dressed like that.”

“What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?” She narrows her eyes at me.

“Nothing. You look fucking amazing. That’s the problem. So, you can hate me if you want but I’ll pick you up and haul your ass to my truck if I have to before I’ll let you get in a car with some stranger.”

Her gorgeous blue eyes home in on me and she nods, then mutters, “Fine. Let me just say goodbye to everyone.” She stands and walks over to our friends, doling out hugs and kisses on the cheek.

I realize she left her phone on the bench when it dings next to me. I should ignore it, but I don’t.Who the hell texts someone after midnight? Everyone most important to her is here.

Carl: Hey beautiful. It was nice to meet you tonight. Where are you ladies now?

It dings again.

Carl: I can meet you wherever you’re at. We can get to know each other better.

My heart is pounding in my chest and my hands shake.

Who the fuck is Carl?

The phone dings a few more times, but I force myself to look away and focus on Emily as she walks back to me.

I wasn’t kidding, she’s fucking stunning in the dress she’s wearing.

As I watch her, I’m filled with a desire to slide my hands along the material, feel her curves under the smooth fabric, and wrap my hands in the long golden hair that’s flowing down her back in loose waves. And those damn heels—they’re sexy as hell. Now, those are ‘fuck me’ heels. I have to force back a growl that threatens to escape me at the thought of her out looking like that tonight, drinking and dancing with God knows who.

Christ, stop it. What the fuck is wrong with me? This is Emily. She’s not mine and she can’t be.

“All right, I’m ready,” she says as she walks by me, not even stopping.

I stand and follow her as she saunters to my truck, ready to grab her if she stumbles. I didn’t realize until now, as I watch her swaying, but she might be more intoxicated than I originally thought.

On the ride home, Emily is uncharacteristically quiet, her pretty head resting on the passenger side window and staring out the glass. Her phone dings multiple times and she ignores it. When we arrive at her house and I’ve parked the truck, I hop out and make my way around to help her out. She doesn’t wait for me, though, and I get there just in time to catch her as she topples forward.

She swats me away. “I’ve got it. I can take care of myself. And I wouldn’t want you to loseanothergirlfriend because you’re around me too much.” Her words come out angry, harsh.

Without waiting for a reply, she bolts for her front door.

Girlfriend? What in the hell is she talking about?I close the truck passenger door, shut my eyes, and take a deep breath before I open them again and walk to her front porch, where she’s still fumbling with her keys.

When she finally gets the door open and steps into the house, she turns to face me.

“Charlie, you can go home now. I’m fine.” The glistening in her eyes says she’s lying.

I enter the house anyway and shut and lock her door behind me.

“Let me just get you some water and headache pills for morning, and I’ll go. Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready for bed? Okay?”

Her phone dings again, and she digs it out of her purse, glances down at it and heads for the stairs. “Sure. If that’s what you want.” Her tone is dismissive and I’m trying to remain patient but I’m starting to get genuinely pissed at her even though I know I shouldn’t.

I get her a glass of water and some pain medication from her first-floor bathroom, then head up to her bedroom. To give her enough time to get dressed for bed, I lean against the hallway wall for a few minutes, then knock and crack the door.

“Are you decent?” I call out.

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