Page 371 of Small Town Firsts

"Are you sure?"

"One-hundred-and-ten percent. And I know the guys will be down to help me move our stuff. You just take care of you. Go to the cabin, relax and recharge. Read a book on a bearskin rug in front of the fire."

"I thought you were supposed to make love in front of the fire?" Emmalyn asks.

"Now, there's a thought," I murmur in her ear.

"Oh my God! I cannot believe I just said that."

"I'm just saying, baby. You want to give that a go, I'm down." My tone is light and teasing, but I'm half serious, too.

It's only been five days since Emmy came home, and I'm respecting her need for time. But it is driving me fucking insane to sleep next to her every night without touching her.

I've got blue balls like a motherfucker, but I know she'll return to me. I also know that when she does, it'll be mind-blowing and oh-so-worth the wait.

"Okay, let's do it."

"There's no rug here. Or fireplace."

She rolls her eyes and laughs. "I meant let's go to the cabin. And...let's move."

It takes everything in me not to fist pump. "Y'all want to get started on packing and I'll head home and pack a bag for the cabin?"

Stella answers for them both. "Yup. It's basically just clothes and a few odds and ends."

"Oh!" Emmalyn cries. "We don't have furniture."

"You're in luck," I say, lying through my teeth. "It comes furnished."

Emmy and Stella exchange grateful glances and then Stella says, "Sounds like it was meant to be."

"Something like that," I mutter, wondering how fast I can get furniture delivered. And if I can get the blond giant and his boyfriend to set it all up.

Something tells me I can; I'm pretty sure those two would do anything for my girl. And if they were anyone else, that notion would piss me the hell off, but with them, I don't mind.

"Well, at least I'll never have to see Melanie again." She frowns. "Unless I run into her on campus."

"Baby... Did no one tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Jelly Melly isn't here anymore," Stella says, sounding ridiculously pleased.

"What?"

"Turns out when Rob was here, he followed you for a few days and somehow made friends with her. She helped him withstuff. And yeah, she was relieved of her RA duties. Her parents were so furious they pulled her from school."

"She's practically grown," Emmy says, furrowing her brow. "Why would her parents care?"

"Rich people." Stella shakes her head. "They didn't want her ruining their good name. Sent her ass to Europe. Poor thing."

Emmalyn rolls her eyes. "Sounds about right."

"Summer was in on it, too. She quit, but no one knows where she went."

"Good riddance, if you ask me," Stella mutters.

I stand from the bed.

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