Page 22 of Throw Away the Key
Emma blushed.That is absolutely something I would do.
Eddie turned to Sadie. “I'llsend you–”
“Yep, send me your invoice and I'm sure I'll see you this weekend.”
He nodded, taking his leave and closing his door on the way out.
Emma’s face warmed as she met Sadie’s gaze, “So…”
Sadie held up a finger. “Wait, I forgot that I got you something else too. I meant to drop it off the other day. Thought it might help you out.”
“Oh?”What could she have gotten me?She frowned as Sadie placed a small brown paper gift bag into her hand. “You didn’t have to do this!”
“It’s not a big deal, I promise. Personally, I just think everyone should have one.”
Puzzled, Emma reached for the contents and threw her head back the moment she realized what she was holding. She laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
“It’s an Airtag so you can always find your keys.”
Emma wheezed, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. “This will definitely help, so long as I don’t also lose my phone.”
Sadie’s mouth dropped open. “I guess I never thought of that.”
“I’d lose my head if it was detachable,” she chuckled and stepped closer to Sadie, reaching for her hand. “Thank you. This is really thoughtful.”
Sadie’s heated gaze trained on Emma’s lips before her expression changed. She blew out a breath, her eyes darting to the clock on her soundbar. “Listen, I do some bookkeeping for a friend of mine who owns an art gallery, and we have some numbers to crunch. We just did taxes a couple weeks ago, so now we’ve got some planning to do.”
“Damn, duty calls, huh?” Emma pouted. “Are you sure you don't have time for…”
“I really hate to say this, but I don't. Raincheck?” Sadie reached for Emma’s hips, stroking them gently.
Emma nodded, pressing her lips against Sadie's once more. She wrapped her arms around Sadie's neck, pulling her into a hug.
Sadie stiffened and awkwardly patted her on the back.
Shit, maybe she’s not into hugs!“Maybe we can find some time this week,” Emma released Sadie, slipped on her shoes and inched near the door. She snuck a peek over her shoulder seeking a hint of assurance.
“Sure,” Sadie bit her bottom lip, her gaze dragging up Emma’s body as it darkened. Her voice was thick with want as she shoved her hands in her pockets. “Thanks again for the treats. All of them.”
Emma winked before letting herself out. “Anytime.”Call me.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“?Sadie,” Emma called.
The farmer's market was lively, the weather having warmed up a bit as they neared the vernal equinox. The breezy, mild weather meant a colorfully printed scarf and ankle boots with Emma’s favorite emerald green peacoat. She’d pulled her braids back into a half-up ‘do to keep her hair out of her face.
“Oh, hey.” Sadie’s casual chic continued with her heather blue jogger suit covered by a black motorcycle jacket–its collar covered by the hood from her sweatshirt. It had been almost a week since they last saw each other, and Emma didn't have proof, but she was under the impression that Sadie had been avoiding her. Her responses to texts had been short, and she never seemed to be home when Emma returned from work. “I didn't expect to see you here,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck and scanning her gaze over the market stalls. “Getting anything special?”
Or maybe she just doesn’t want to see me at all.Emma called Sadie the day after the key debacle, which she followed with a text in case Sadie was anything like Zora and didn’t listen to voicemails. No returned call. “I just wanted to come and pick up a few things and see if Tonya has another recipe for me to try.”
“So you've been trying your hand at cooking?” Sadie studied Emma’s face, her expression undecipherable.
Emma searched for hints and nodded, finding none. “Yeah. Are you meeting up with your friends?”
“Yes. She's supposed to be, but we've been trying to find her for the last half hour,” Joy retorted from behind Emma.
“Oh, hi, Joy. Sheena. How are y'all doing?” Emma giggled as Joy scowled at Sadie.
