Page 40 of Mine to Hold
“Using foul language isn’t necessary.” Tessa pursed her lips. “And I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, you do. And if it happens again, they will be calling me in an official capacity, not as a friend.”
“Are you threatening me?” Tessa lifted her chin.
“Consider yourself warned.” He palmed his mug and muttered a few obscenities under his breath. “And both you ladies please be careful. Lock your doors and be aware of your surroundings. You’ll understand more of why I said that when you watch the news tonight,” he said in a softer tone. “Call me or 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious.”
“Is this because of what happened to Heather?” Tessa asked.
Emmerson nodded.
Tessa held his gaze for a moment before turning her attention back to her friend.
“I can’t tell if you hate her or still care about her,” Rumor said.
“It’s a little bit of both.” Emmerson shrugged.
“You’re a good man.” Rumor snagged a tray and placed the drinks on it. She made her way across the room and set the drinks in front of Tessa and Stacey. “Here you go, ladies. Do you know what you want?”
“Yes. We do,” Tessa said. “I’ll be having the summer salad.”
“I’ll do the same, thank you.”
“Coming right up.” Rumor turned, but Tessa grabbed her arm.
Rumor glanced down at the fingers curled around her wrist. “Is there a problem?”
“Woman to woman,” Tessa whispered. “Watch your back when it comes to Emmerson. While even I can admit he’s a decent human, he’s not boyfriend material. He’ll break your heart into a million pieces.”
“I don’t need advice from a woman I don’t even know.” Rumor jerked her arm free. She didn’t care if Tessa and her friend left her a shit tip. Or no tip. No one put their hands on her for no reason. “And don’t touch me again.”
Tessa lifted her hands. “Hey. Just trying to give you fair warning. But if you want to learn the hard way about the kind of man he is, well, that’s on you.”
“The man has had a rough day. Give him a break.”
“That’s the problem. His job is all he cares about. It sours every relationship he’s ever had. It will happen to you too.”
Rumor leaned a little closer. “Trust me. I know all I need to about Emmerson. And about you too.” She tapped the engagement ring on Tessa’s finger. “I just hope for your fiancé’s sake, you don’t cheat on him too.” Rumor turned on her heel, held her head high, and made her way back behind the counter. Fuck. She shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t her place, but she hated cheaters. A woman she worked for back in Knoxville had a husband who had an affair and watching what she’d gone through had been rough.
“I’ve lost my appetite. You can cancel our order.” Tessa stood, slapping some money on the table. “You sure know how to pick them, Emmerson. And you love to tell people only one part of our story, leaving out the things you did.”
“For the record, he didn’t pick me. I chose him,” Rumor said. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Emmerson chuckled.
“Glad I amused you,” she muttered.
“And me too.” Lucy Ann appeared from the kitchen carrying a plate with a cheeseburger and fries. “That woman is a bitch and I heard she got engaged to the guy she was cheating on Ben with.”
“I saw the rock. It was big. Gaudy actually,” Rumor said. “Who’s Ben?”
“An old friend,” Emmerson said.
“He used to be your best friend until that witch got her claws into him.” Lucy Ann placed the plate in front of Emmerson. “I just heard what happened to Edwina. I’m so sorry. I didn’t like her or what she did to you, but she almost wasn’t as bad as that one.” Lucy Ann pointed toward the door. “The way she used your career to justify her being lonely and cheating was pathetic.”
“She’s not wrong,” Emmerson said. “At the end of our relationship, I was never home.”
“Why do you always cut her a break?” Lucy Ann glared. “Tessa wanted you to leave the police department. So did Edwina. That’s unfair. All you’ve ever wanted was to be a cop.”
