Page 342 of Small Town Firsts

"Don't worry about me, babe. Go have fun with your man."

"Emmy, why don't you and Zach help Stella into the car?” Sterling says.

He's clearly up to something, but I go along with it, rushing ahead of them to pull open the door.

"You take care of her," Gabe says, his attention focused on Sterling. I'm not sure he means for us to hear him, but the wind carries his words to us loud and clear.

"She's in good hands," Sterling replies, his voice as stiff as his posture.

"You know, a month ago I would have trusted wild dogs more than you."

Sterling smirks, not rising to Gabe's bait.

"But now...as much as it pains me to admit this...you're good for her."

"You're goddamn right I am."

"So swoony," Stella sighs, her head lolling back against the seat back.

"Text me," I remind her before shutting the door.

Gabe breaks away from Sterling and I hug both him and Zach bye, much to Sterling's displeasure.

"Ready, baby?" he asks.

I smile up at him, my heart torn between excitement over a night beneath the stars with him and worry over my best friend.

"Ready."

CHAPTER 39

STERLING

"Did you get enough to eat?"I ask Emmalyn, knowing her mind is a million miles away. She's worried about her friend, and it pains me that her camping trip has been derailed, though I’m not sorry to have her to myself.

"Yeah, I think so."

“You tell me if you get hungry. I brought snacks.”

She cracks a smile. "So did Stella. I'm pretty sure half her bag was food."

"That must've been why it was so heavy when I carried it to the car."

"I hope she's okay." The worry in her voice gnaws at my heart.

"She will be, baby. It's probably just a bad sprain."

"I know, I do. But, I can't help feeling guilty. I'm the reason we were even out here."

"Don't do that. Don't place blame on yourself when there's no need for it."

Her shoulders slump. "Logically I know that, but..."

I pull her off the stump she's sitting on and onto my lap. "I know, baby, but the heart isn't very logical."

"Tell me something," she says, "take my mind off of it."

"Hmm. I could tell you that I love you."

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