Page 22 of Right Where You Left Me
“And I stayed there Emma. I stayed right where you left me. I couldn’t fucking leave. I loved you and I was stuck in that goddamn moment. Hoping that you’d come back and talk to me, but you never did. You left me there. So yeah, it’s been a long fucking time since that kiss, but it mattered to me. You ripped my goddamn heart out, Emma. And you never even looked back.”
“Sage.” She breathes out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know…”
“Even if you didn’t, you still cut me out without an explanation.” I wrap my arms around my middle, as if that can prevent me from falling apart over this mess all over again. I feel fragile, brittle. I never wanted to dig this shit up again, but Emma looks so distraught over it.
“I just— Sage you kissed me and I panicked because it felt good and I didn’t know what to do with that because Ionlyliked boys and?—”
“Yes, yes. I know, Emma. Part of that was on me for falling in love with a straight girl, that’s not what I’m still upset about. But I think you’re right. Now that I’ve laid it all out for you and you’ve apologized—sincerelyapologized— I think we can move on. I won’t be a cunt anymore.”
Emma laughs wetly, her smile making her eyes shine. It’s endearing. Her soft face showing all the emotion she’s feeling. “About that.”
“What?” I ask, grinning back. “Don’t think I can stop being a cunt?”
“No.” She laughs again. “It’s not that. I’m not straight.”
Wait. What?!
“You’re not?” I manage to squeak out. I’m never going to hear the end of this from Peyton for being right.
“No.” She shakes her head. “That’s why I got divorced and moved back here. I’m a lesbian.”
Oh. My. God. My skin feels like it’s on fire and my stomach swoops again. She’s queer? Emma, the girl that broke my heart and who I’ve tried so fucking hard to get over actually likes women? I finally have a chance?
Fuck.No. Just because she’s a lesbian doesn’t mean that I can trust her now. She still broke my heart and left me behind and although I can put it behind me and be friendly with her again, I don’t know if I can trust her with my heart. It wouldn’t survive being hurt again, not by her.
No.Friends. Friends is good.
She’s looking at me, worrying her lip between her teeth again. Ireallywant to soothe that poor, sore spot. “Wow, Em. I’m proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to come out, to uproot your life like that. I’m happy you figured out who you are. And, I’m happy that you’re back here to do it.”
She smiles softly. “Thanks, Sage. So, we’re friends again? No more hostility?”
“Yeah, Em. We’re friends.”
Her arms reach out as if she’s going to pull me into a hug, but River’s obnoxious ass voice rings out from the back, “You two are just so fucking sweet!” and ruins the moment.
Emma chuckles and her cheeks turn bright pink. I just smile at her, and deny that the butterflies flying around my chest are from the gorgeous girl smiling back.
CHAPTER 9
Emma
To say that the environment in the cafe has improved since Sage and I were able to lay everything on the table, would be an understatement. I wouldn’t call us best friends again or anything, but she’s no longer snapping at me and when I start conversations with her, she’s actually— nice. She smiles at me. I’ve heard her laugh, because of somethingIsaid. It’s making me feel… things.
I’m noticing more about her now that she doesn’t make an effort to stay away from me. Like the way the corners of her eyes crease when she teases me. The way her nose twitches when she laughs. Those hazel eyes sparkling like polished river rocks underneath the lights in the cafe whenever I’m close enough toher to really look at them. She’s so achingly beautiful, a piece of art just like the ink that decorates her tanned skin.
I clear my throat and refocus my attention on the dough that’s done proofing and start rolling it out. My cinnamon rolls have been the biggest hit since I started working here and I’ve found that I need to prep a second batch to bake later in the morning so that we have enough to last through the later breakfast surge. I’m cutting the rolls from the log when Sage barrels into the kitchen.
“I know, I know! I’m grabbing it!” She yells through the open door before she turns her attention on me and rolls her eyes. “You’d think that Piper would be nicer to me, considering I’m here helping out of the goodness of my heart.” Her tone is teasing and I know that she actually really does want to be here to help her sister out. I may not know her like I used to, but one thing about Sage is that she doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.
I laugh, setting the rolls in a baking dish, and shake my head at her. Her hair is tied back in a tiny knot at the back of her head, the green swirling in the black, and tiny wisps hang at her temples from where the hair was too short to reach the elastic. She leans down to grab the container of cold brew that’s on the bottom rack in the fridge and I try so hard, Ireallydo, to not stare at the way her pants stretch across her butt. Her fantastic, perfectly round butt.
She heaves the carafe up, looking back at me. “Smells really good in here, Em.” She says, giving me a small smile as she walks back out into the cafe, oblivious to my ogling thank goodness. I quickly set the buns to the side for their final proof, set my timer, and head back out into the cafe to finish up my shift. I only have two more hours left until I’m off, and only one of those spent here with Sage. I’ve been fighting with myself all morning about whether or not this idea I have is a smart one. We only juststarted being friendly again, I don’t want to push her too much. But, I’m dying to hang out with her, to really spend time with her. We had so much fun when we were younger, and she’s only gotten cooler. I just, miss her and I want to spend time outside of this place with her.
The timer going off has me jarring back to reality, my face burning when I realize I had been on autopilot for the last hour. I excuse myself, Sage taking my place at the register while Piper makes drinks. I grab the rolls, checking that they rose properly before I set them in the preheated oven and set another timer. I take a deep breath. Okay. I can do this. All I’m doing is asking Sage if she wants to hang out with me. That’s not so difficult. It’s in fact, incredibly easy. Just— Just do it, Emma.
I peek through the doorway and stare at Sage for just a moment. She’s gesturing wildly, laughing with the customer at the counter. I smile to myself and wait as she finishes ringing him up and then I make my move. I walk up beside her and lean into her shoulder, slightly bumping into it. “Hey, I wanted to ask you something.” I say softly.
She bumps my shoulder back with hers. “What’s up?”
