Page 300 of Small Town Firsts

“Oh, sure.”

I walk her back against the far wall, caging her in with my arms. “Wait here.”

She blinks up at me with her big doe eyes.

“I mean it. Don’t move. Not a single inch.”

“Okay.”

I turn my back toward her and stalk toward the island, which is serving as a makeshift bar. “Sterling!” Emmalyn calls after me, and I glance her way over my shoulder. “I don’t drink alcohol.” She bites her lips and drops her gaze toward the floor for a moment before looking back at me. “Just so you know.”

The cogs in my brain are turning as an idea takes shape. “No worries. I’ll take care of you, Emmalyn.”

With a sure hand, I mix us each a drink, making sure to make hers with extra care.

When I return, Emmalyn’s in a heated conversation with her friends. “Oh, good,” I drawl. “Y’all found us.”

“Where were you?” Gabe asks, his voice ripe with accusation.

“Making drinks.” I hold my hands up and shimmy the cups before passing one to Emmalyn.

Eyeing me, she sniffs the contents. “What’s this?”

“Punch. My own special recipe, just for you.” I wink, softening the thinly veiled deception in my words.

She smiles, taking a hesitant sip. “Mmmm, fruity.”

Our misfit group lapses into an awkward kind of silence until Gabe looks at me and says, “Let’s chat for a minute.”

He’s not asking.

“Sure thing.” If he wants to play this game, we can play it. I come from a long line of lawyers, shit-talking may as well be my third major.

He guides me a few steps away from everyone; close enough to keep an eye on them, but far enough they can’t hear us.

“What’s your end game with Emmy?”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Don’t bullshit me, Abbot.”

I grin, liking his protective streak. Too bad he’s too late, because after tonight, Emmy will see me as her very own white knight.

“Listen, we clearly got off on the wrong foot.” I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “Why don’t we start over, yeah?”

He regards me with a snarled lip and keen eye. “You hurt her, and I’ll fucking end you, do you understand? I know you’ve been messing with her out of some sick sense of loyalty to your friend, but that girl? She’s already survived a lifetime of pain and betrayal, and if you add even an ounce to her suffering, I’ll take great joy in tearing you apart. Got it?”

“Let’s take a breath, big guy. No one’s going to hurt Emmalyn. I was running a fool’s errand and have seen the error of my ways. I’m trying like hell to make up for my less than stellar behavior, but having it pointed out isn’t really doing me any favors, you know?”

His facial features relax slightly as he stares me down, waiting for me to crack. But I’m rock solid. “Fine. But I meant what I said.”

“I have no doubts.”

He tips his head my way before turning and making his way back to where the rest of our group is congregated.

Emmalyn catches my eye from where she’s pressed into the wall. I raise my cup to her, signaling I’m getting a refill. She nods and breaks away from her friends and joins me. “Me, too?” she asks, her voice soft.

“Absolutely.”

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