Page 370 of Small Town Firsts

"How about this?” he says, easing me onto the cushion next to him. "The unit next door just went on the market. Why don't you rent it?”

"It's probably really expensive."

He grins like he knows something I don't. "I know the landlord personally. Something tells me he'd give you a deal. And if it's too much for you and Stella, y'all could get a third roommate."

Stella nods eagerly. "I think we should consider it, babe. I really do."

"I'll think about it. That's the best I can offer."

CHAPTER 45

STERLING

I watchin rapt fascination as Emmalyn wakes.

It's the fifth time in as many days that she's woken up to me in her bed, thanks to her recurring nightmares. As much as I love the fact that my presence calms her, I'd do about anything for the nightmares to just stop.

"Sterling?" Her voice is thick with sleep.

"Good morning, little mouse."

She looks up at me and blinks, once...twice...and then sighs. "Again?" she asks, frustration chasing away any and all vestiges of sleep.

"Again."

She closes her eyes and rolls to face me, burying her head in my chest. "How many times is that now? God, I just want to be normal."

"Hey, it's okay."

"It's not okay! I feel so broken."

"You're not broken, Emmy. That much I know."

"I think...I think y'all were right. Staying here isn't good for me. I think I need to get away."

"I think that's a good idea. Do you mean for a while or for good?"

She doesn't answer me right away, so I know she's taking my question to heart. "Both, I think."

"My family has a cabin in Tennessee. We could go there."

"Really?"

"Really. And, if you're serious about getting away for good, maybe while we're gone Gabe and Zach could help Stella move y'all into the unit next to mine?"

"I'd have to talk to Stella."

"Talk to me about what?" asks Stella, popping her head into the room.

"Stalk much?" I ask, but I'm laughing.

"Hey, I was making coffee and heard my name."

"Emmalyn and I were talking about y'all moving in next to me. I suggested Gabe and Zach could help you move everything while I took our girl to my family's cabin."

"And I"—Emmalyn cuts her eyes at me—"was telling him I couldn't make those kinds of decisions without talking to you."

"Oh, I am totally down. Let's blow this popsicle stand."

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