Page 372 of Small Town Firsts

"Where are you going?" Emmalyn asks, pouting.

"To pack a bag. I'll be back in two hours to pick you up."

"Okay. Drive safe."

"I will." I pause right outside her door. "Oh, and, Emmy?" She looks up at me. "I love you."

Her cheeks go pink. "I love you, too."

CHAPTER 46

EMMY

"I'm reallyproud of your progress, Emmy," says Holly, my therapist. "You've come leaps and bounds.”

I laugh softly under my breath. "Still got a long way to go."

"And that's okay. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Do you remember what we discussed, about what to do when you feel overwhelmed?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"Good. Employ the things we've discussed, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results, okay?"

I nod.

"Great. Same time next week?"

"Yep, see you then." I do an awkward little finger wave before ending the video call and packing up my laptop.

I linger for just a moment before taking a deep breath and stepping out of the bedroom.

"How'd it go?" Sterling asks, standing from the chair he was seated in.

"It was good. We talked about a lot today. Unpacked a lot, too."

"I'm so proud of you, baby."

I can tell he wants to say more, to reach for me, to kiss me and touch me. There's a longing in his steely gray gaze that reflects that of my own.

Ever since coming to his family's cabin two weeks ago, we've been dancing around each other, but neither one of us has made a move.

Aside from sleeping wrapped around one another and a few soft kisses, we may as well be completely platonic friends.

At first, it was to protect myself, and then it was to protect him—I didn't want to jump back with both feet only to have another breakdown and drown him right along with me. But now...now I'm ready.

My heart, brain, and body are all on the same page, and they're shouting for me to claim my man and my happily ever after.

Holly thinks it's okay, too. Not that her opinion is the be-all-end-all, but it's nice to have her on board.

"So, I have a surprise for you tonight." He rocks back on his heels, a boyish look flitting across his handsome features.

"Do you?"

"Well, since it's our last night at the cabin, I figured I could grill us a nice steak dinner and maybe we could check out the hot tub."

I have to bite my lips to stop from grinning. Looks like we're both ready to take things up a notch, because I know for certain neither of us brought a swimsuit.

"That sounds really nice," I murmur, and he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

---