Page 115 of That Friendzone Feeling
“Can’thelp it.There’ssomething about this room that makes me unable to keepmy hands off you.”
Sheraises her eyebrows and lowers her voice. “Thatspot over there will always be my favorite part of this whole place.”Shepoints to the far corner where the workbench was on that rainy night.It’snow home to a large potted plant.
“Weshould put up a commemorative plaque,”Itell her.
“Likea silver plate engraved with, ‘Thismarks the spot where the owners first gave each other an orgasm’?”
“Perfect.Butnot factually correct.Because, you know, not me.”
“Oh, yes.”Shestretches up on tiptoes and leans in to whisper in my ear. “ButI’mdoing my best to make up for that.”
Andis she ever.
Ofcourse, she never looked for a place of her own.Whatwould have been the point?Andit wasn’t like we needed to date to get to know each other.Wealready knew we loved each other.Allwe were missing was the living-together part.
Myfridge has never had so many sweet things in it, but the array of hideously flavored coffee creamers makes me smile every timeIopen it.
“Okay, let’s do this.”Ipull open the heavy glass door and waveEmilythrough.
Forour launch party this evening, we’ve booked a couple of music acts—an up-and-coming acoustic singer-songwriter and a cool, big name hipster band who’re a perfect fit with theToastedTomatobrand.
Allthe guests have been treated to a day of tours of the resort and the brewery, tastings in the bar and restaurant, and now there’s the sunset concert that will be the perfect end to the perfect opening day.
AtleastIhope it will.Morethan the business rides on it.
Anyway,EmilyisMCfor the evening—a role she was born for—and she has to take the stage to kick it all off.
Weskirt the edge of the audience.Somepeople are seated on chairs ringing the central lawn, where the rest of the crowd is relaxing on theToastedTomatoblankets everyone received as part of their launch gift pack.Abunch of other branded goodies and a six-pack of the newHornbyIslandAlewere also in the hampers.
Icould not be happier with how the ale turned out.Flavoredwith hints of lemon and the famous local cranberries, it’s the perfect summer beach beer and was a big hit at all of today’s tasting sessions.
“Andthis is the reasonI’mwearing flat shoes for the first time in a thousand years,”Emilysays, pointing down at the lawn we’re walking across.
Iput my arm around her shoulder, pull her to my side, and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Ilove you.Goshow us how it’s done.”
Asshe heads toward the stage,Ipick my way between the blankets, careful not to collide with any of our servers handing out complimentary drinks and food.
Frontand center, theDashwoodclan are gathered on two blankets laid out side-by-side.AsIapproach,ChasejoinsMaggie,Jim,Elliot, andMaxandPolly, andMax’sassistantCharlotte.
Theothers brousins couldn’t make it.Tomis busy inLondon,OwenandSummerare atMaggieandJim’shouse working on the final prep for their wedding next month, andConnor’stakenRoseto my lake house in upstateNewYorkto rest up between acing her master’s finals and starting herPhDprogram.
Allcredit toChase, he’s been amazing.There’sbeen no awkwardness over him askingEmon a date.We’reall adults here, and he’s an asset to our business.Hetalks about the resort andToastedTomatoin every interview, has shot a huge ad campaign for the new beer, and wants to use his fame inAsiato help us break into that market.
Itake the empty spot on the blanket betweenMaggieandCharlotteasEmilyclimbs the steps to the stage.
Iglance over each shoulder and around the lawn. “AnyoneseenEm’sparents?”
“They’reover there somewhere,”Elliotsays. “Whenwe walked by them with the blankets,Mrs.Lombardogot a bit sniffy about sitting on the grass and said they were going to use the chairs.”
“Notnecessarily a bad idea.”Jimwinces. “Myknees are already starting to ache sitting here.Mighthave to go join them in a bit.”
“Iwant to make sure they have a good view,”Isay, craning my neck and catching a glimpse of them in the third row to the left of the stage.They’dbetter be able to see okay.
“CouldIjust say thank you for inviting me?”Charlotteraises a glass ofHornbyIslandAle. “It’sso lovely of you all to let me crash the party.”
“Therewas no way we were leaving you home alone,”Pollysays.Shelowers her voice. “Notunder the circumstances.”
Elliot’sbrows descend behind his glasses as he leans towardCharlotte.Hislips part to speak, but he’s silenced by the growing applause around us asEmilywalks to the center of the stage with a microphone.
