Right about then, Ember comes out of the bathroom. “Well, damn, I can cross fucking in a bookstore off my bucketl...” She makes it to the front of the bookstore, and I don’t have to be looking at her to see her eyes go as wide as saucers.
“Atlas, oh f-fuck,” she stammers before standing beside me, elbowing me as I try to cover my chuckle while I coo at Aria. She shoves her elbow into my side, thrusting her arms out to take Aria from me.
“There’s Aunt Emi’s baby girl.” Ember snuggles into Aria, and Aria lets out the cutest little giggle. I can’t help but watch Ember with Aria.
Atlas butts in, “Damn, when I said all things, I didn’t mean ALL things.”
“Shut the fuck up, Atlas.” Ember forces a grin and rolls her eyes. “What’re you girls out doing?” Ember tries to lead the conversation away from her confession coming out of the bathroom.
“Oh, picking up a few things for Asher,” Atlas says, and I pick up on the somber tone.
He’ll be deploying soon, and I can only imagine the toll that’s going to take on Atlas and Aria. But, I remember that’s why Ember moved closer, and I find myself selfishly thanking Atlas for needing her sister.
“Well, I was going to invite you over for dinner. I made Mom’s lasagna.” Atlas lets out a laugh. “And you know I only know how to make enough for an army.”
“Hell yes, count me in,” Ember replies, swaying with Aria wrapped tight in her arms.
“You come too, Harley!” Atlas says quickly, eyes shooting to Ember, who is rolling her eyes again.
“Oh that’s okay.” I don’t want to intrude on their family time.
“Come. You’re not intruding. I’d love for you to be there,” Ember speaks up quietly, eyes peaking up under her lashes.
“I can bring some wine?” I say, suddenly feeling giddy like a schoolboy, knowing that Ember wants me there.
“Good man. Dinner’s at 5:30! Bring a bottle of red!” Atlas scoops Aria back up into her arms, snuggling into her and smelling her head.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EMBER
The weather is prettygross out, and business was entirely too slow to stay open all day. I closed a few hours early, since the street was beginning to flood.
The owner, Mrs. Philch, is pretty good about letting me call the shots on things like this. If I'm being honest, I hope she gives me the option to buy it from her when she retires. She had mentioned retiring a couple of months after her granddaughter was born.
Since then, she has really let me take the reins on more admin work, and I am not complaining in the least. I love the bookstore, and the sense of nostalgia it carries with it. Despite that, if it was mine, I would add some “Ember touches” to make it more of everything I've ever wanted a bookstore to be.
Harley has already headed out to run a few errands before he picks me up to head to Atlas’s together for dinner.
Once the shop is locked up, I hop into my car and head home to get a quick rinse off and to try to tame my hair a bit before dinner.
Last night’s dream and the weather has ruined all chances of feeling pretty today, despite how Harley left me last night.
I pull into my driveway and sit there, listening to the rain drops pelt down on the roof. I love the sound, it calms me. I let out a breath and push my car door open. As I round my car and head to my front door, a sudden feeling creeps up the back of my neck. With just my eyes, I glance back without turning all the way around, trying to see if I can catch a glimpse of someone. Maybe someone is just peeking through a window? But it doesn’t feel like someone is peeking. I quickly unlock the door and get in the house. Once the door is securely locked, I plop on the couch and take a breath. I check my cameras to see if someone has been lurking. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, so I give up playing detective. I close out of the camera app and begin to scroll through my social media. I don’t post much at all, but I still like to keep tabs on everyone.
Pushing up off the couch, I head upstairs to lay down for a minute. I can feel the onset of a headache, likely from all the crying I've done the past few days. I push my door open and I'm greeted by my furball, already warming my spot.
Laying down, I curl up on my side of the bed, pulling the blanket across my tired body. I have about three hours before I have to be ready for dinner at Atlas and Asher’s, so I let myself doze off.
It feels like I've only just closed my eyes when I hear a pounding on the door. It's dark out now, and I reach over to flick on the lamp by my bed. I grab my phone and pull up the notification for the cameras. I’m thankful that when I pull it up, I see a familiar leather jacket.
“Babe! Please open up.” Harley is pulling out his phone and I can see him panicking. I bolt to the front door and yank it open. Just as I pull the door open, I’m met with Harley’s face, which is turning a vicious shade of red. “EMBER! Jesus.” He pulls me into his chest,his hand cradling the back of my head. I inhale his musky scent of leather and smoke. “Fuck, I knocked for five minutes,” he says with exhaustion and relief. “I was about to break down your door, damn it.”
“I was sleeping,” I say as I slither my arms around him and look up into his eyes. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Harley bends down and softly lets his lips touch mine. “We have about twenty minutes before we have to head over to Atlas and Asher’s place.”
Shit, I still need to fix my hair and my face.
