Page 4 of Merrick
Chapter 3
JEMMA
The only place big enough to hold an event like this is the lodge in town run by the Knight family. Our town's founding family is very generous, and they are always quick to offer up their space at their lodge to host fundraising events. It’s one of the oldest buildings in town, but the family has done some incredible renovations and even expanded in the past few years.
Twinkle lights line the trees on either side of the drive leading up to the lodge. Some young guys that look to still be in high school, wearing white shirts and black vests, stand by the door, ready to park the truck.
When Merrick pulls to a stop by the front door, one of the guys runs up to my door and opens it for me. I take his hand and let him help me out. This dress is no joke, and I'm not about to wipe out before we even get inside. Merrick jogs around the back of the truck and holds out his arm to me. Despite the happy smile on his face, I have to remind myself that this is not a date but just two friends hanging out in evening wear.
The black suit that Merrick is wearing fits him almost as tightly as this dress does to me. No suit could hide the thick muscles in his arms and shoulders. He’s a mountain I’d love to climb, but I repeat to myself that he doesn’t look at me that way.
“Did I mention how beautiful you look?” Merrick asks, his gaze traveling down the length of me and back up again. His Adam’s Apple bobbing noticeably when our eyes meet.
"No, but thank you." I smile, feeling a blush heat up my cheeks. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He lifts one eyebrow curiously. “I don’t looktoo bad? I shaved and everything tonight for you.”
I lift my hand and run my fingertips across the smooth skin of his jawline where his close scruff used to be. I prefer the scruff, but this comes in at a close second.
“I guess you look good, but I’m not sure I want to pump up your ego too much. I’d hate for your head not to fit through the door.”
Merrick throws his head back and laughs. “I guess I’ll have to take whatever compliments I can get from you.”
We head inside.
The large lobby is cleared out of all furniture, and people are standing around at tall tables. The back doors are wide open leading out to the deck, allowing the music of a string quartet to float in. The back yard is lit up by lanterns hanging in the trees, and tables and chairs fill the lawn. There is a black and white checkerboard dance floor in the middle.
“Wow,” I breathe. “I don’t remember this being so fancy the last time I was here.”
Merrick chuckles. “Yeah, ever since my buddy Beauden’s wife, Amerin, got involved in helping to plan the event, it’s been a classier affair each year.”
“Bridger Knight’s brother?”
"Yeah," Merrick says, his jaw ticks like he’s upset.
I feel a flicker of excitement tingle in my lower belly.Is Merrick jealous by just me mentioning another guy?
“Bridger and I were lab partners,” I clarify.
I can feel him relax next to me. But I can’t shake the thrill I felt that Merrick might feel more for me than just platonic feelings.
We make our way through the crowd, stopping and talking to people as we go. The place is filling up quickly and nearly looks like the whole town is here tonight. That’s good. It’s critical that the Knight’s Ridge Fire Department is fully funded. I already have one person that I can’t live without, risking his life to volunteer, the idea that Merrick is quickly becoming a second person in my life that risks his life is hard to think about.
MERRICK
Jemma spends nearly the whole night by my side. The only time I leave her alone is at the table with Ember after dinner when me and the guys have to get up and make a few remarks to the crowd.
“We would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight to support me and the other volunteers of the Knight's Ridge Fire Department," Aaron says.
I can’t keep my eyes off of Jemma. There have been a few guys circling around her, looking for a dance, but I don't want to share. She's my date, even if only because she's doing me a favor. I've dreamed about spending a night like tonight with her, and I don't want anyone getting in the way of that.
“Merrick,” Aaron whispers to me.
I look over at him and realize it’s my turn to speak. I step up to the microphone.
“We’d also like to thank the Knight family for generously donating time and resources tonight so that we could have this event. Without them, we’d be standing around the high school gym having terrible flashbacks to school dances.”
The crowd chuckles and I step back to let Rhodes, another volunteer, step up to the microphone. I don't listen to what he's saying or Tanner after him. My full focus is on Jemma. Bridger Knight is sitting next to and talking to her. I can't help the jealousy that tightens every muscle in my body, despite knowing that he's now happily married, and his wife is standing right there with them.
