I leave.
9
EMERY
Ishould go after Weston.
The wind is still howling outside, though not as badly as last night, and the steady patter of rain against the roof probably won’t let up anytime soon.
But I can’t, because my legs are as wobbly as my resolve to hold him at bay.
I saw the look in his eyes, the one that screamed last night meant as much to him as it did to me, and I panicked. I’ve finally landed a dream job and the last thing I need is Weston making a grand declaration. Or worse, expecting me to give up everything to be with him.
Because that’s what his little speech had been about. He’s staying put in Brisbane and wants to ‘date’ which probably means continue hooking up.
Yeah, the sex had been that good.
But I’m going to Melbourne. I’ve caught a break and I won’t give that up for any man, even if that man is Weston Spade.
So, I made light of his suggestion. Let him off the hook. Though I hadn’t expected him to look so devastated, which makes me feel awful.
I ignore the inner voice that insists I should at least consider a solution to possibly dating Weston, but beyond the occasional booty call if he happens to be in Melbourne or I’m in Brisbane, how can we resolve this?
Thankful for generators, I check on the food in the fridge, relieved most of it will keep for the rescheduled wedding, whenever it is.
As if on cue, my phone rings and Tom’s name pops up on the screen.
“Hey, bro.”
“You okay, Em? I heard Ceto only caught the edge of the cyclone, but from the news, nearby islands got smashed.”
“I’m fine. Gale force winds, heavy rain, that’s about it.”
It’ll be weird if Weston tells him about us being stranded together and I don’t, so I add, “Weston and I hunkered down in the kitchen last night when the worst of it hit.”
“Yeah, he told me.”
I don’t understand the amusement lacing his tone.
“He also told me he wants to date you.”
He did? Wow. Not what I was expecting.
“What did you say?”
“I said I’ll break his legs, then kill him if he hurts you. But I’m not blind and I’ve seen the sparks between you two over the years, so I guess it’s fine. He’s a good guy, lonely from what I observe, and you could do worse. Him too.”
I stare at the phone, surprised by my brother’s astute deductions.
But what does he mean about Weston being lonely? From Weston’s social media accounts, he travels the world and has friends in every city. He’s gorgeous, popular, and successful.
“Lonely?”
Tom snickers. “That’s what you focus on? Em, I’ve just given you my blessing to date my best friend.”
“Like I need it.” I snort. “What did you mean by he’s lonely?”
“He works a lot, but he doesn’t socialise much. I have to drag him out to have a beer whenever he’s in Bris-Vegas. He hasn’t had a relationship for as long as I can remember.”
