Page 57 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
“Em—” I started, but immediately burst into tears before I could finish.
I was inconsolable that first night. Emma did what she does best and took care of me. She put me in a pair of her lightest pajamas so that I didn’t die of heat stroke in my sleep. She tucked me into her bed, lay next to me and stroked my hair, just like she did when we were kids. She might be my little sister but she’s always been nurturing and mature for her age. We’ve always been there for each other and gave each other maternal advice when our mother wasn’t available.
I fell asleep within minutes, the night's problems being replaced by my mind's peculiar dreams.
The next morning, I awoke, feeling confused at first about where I was. It took a moment for the previous day to come back to me. I groaned and threw myself back in bed, pulling the covers over my head.
“Hailey?” Emma asked, peeking her head through the doorway. “Hey, do you want to talk about yesterday? Maybe about why you showed up at my doorstep at midnight?”
I slowly moved the covers down under my chin so that she could see me. I shook my head with vigor. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Alright, fine. Well, I messaged my professors and told them I had a family emergency because I didn’t know what you were going to need. So, do you want to order Chinese and pig out while we watch movies all day?”
I sat up in the bed, eager for the small form of escapism that my sister had just handed me on a platter.
“Yes, please!” I smiled, clapping my hands in excitement.
She rolled her eyes and moved away from the door.
An hour and a half later, we found ourselves in front of her modest television, watching a comedy. My sister was shocked when I didn’t want to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s, since she knows it’s my favorite movie. When she asked why, my only response was to quickly slurp the chow mein noodle hanging from my mouth.
The rest of the day went on in much of the same fashion, with her asking various questions and me avoiding the answers. I could tell that it was getting under her skin, but the great thing about Emma is that she has the patience of a saint. Truly, she will be a great mom one day.
Today, when I woke up, Emma accosted me in bed.
“Alright, Hailey, I’ve given you sufficient time to just relax and forget about the things that are bothering you. Today, you have to talk. I can’t just keep telling my professors I have a family emergency so I can take care of you when I don’t even know what’s going on.”
The guilt creeps in as I realize that she’s right. I’ve burdened her with myself and my problems. I sit up slowly, meeting her gaze.
“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry, Em. I do want to talk about things anyway. Let’s get ready and head to the beach in an hour? We can talk there.”
I give her a hopeful smile and she rolls her eyes before getting up off the bed.
“Whatever. I’ll go shower then.”
EmmaandIarelaid up on beach towels in the early morning sand. The sun is momentarily covered by passing clouds, and the perfect temperature for a breeze is rolling over us.
“So, tell me what happened.” Emma finally says.
She let me sit here in silence for twenty minutes, so I do owe it to her.
“Okay. So, you know how I’m engaged to that guy, Landon?” I ask.
We never officially addressed it, but I do know that she knows.
“Hmm, you know, I do think I remember seeing that on TMZ,” she says pointedly, shooting me a look.
My face heats up immediately.
“Right, I’m sorry for not telling you in person first.” Stupid Landon, causing stupid problems for me with my family. “Well, we’ve been engaged for about a month and a half now. I moved in with him—”
“Whoa, what? You moved in with him?” Her eyebrows raise so high that I think they might shoot off her forehead right into space. “Dude, you literally never tell me anything! What the hell?!”
“Look, I know! Okay, I know. I need to be better at sharing. It kind of happened fast. My building got sold, and I only had a week to find a place, so Landon offered for me to live with him— It just made sense.”
She stares at me for a moment before sighing, accepting what I’m telling her.
“Okay, whatever. Continue.” She waves her hand flippantly.
