Page 138 of The Golden Scoop

Classic. Emma has too much inside information about The Scoop. Too many internal threads and things she’s pieced together over time for anyone to ever doubt it was her behind it. Even without disclosing specifics, it puts them in an extremely vulnerable position.

“Maybe something good will come from the article blowing up,” I offer.

“Already did,” Emma says, turning toward me fully, though she still doesn’t quite meet my eyes. “I liked my life before you.”

That makes me smile before I can stop it. Of course she did.

“It was easy,” she adds.

“You’re telling me quitting your job isn’t easy?” I try, earning a sharp slap to my chest.

When she looks up at me, her eyes are glossy. I reach out without thinking, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my thumb brushing lightly across her cheek as if I can steady her with it.

“It’s okay,” I murmur.

Emma shakes her head. “I can’t go a single day without missing you. Or our bickering. Or how annoyingly thoughtful you are,” she admits, voice cracking slightly. “It’s like everywhere I go I’m thinking ‘What would Matthew do?’ It’s terrifying.”

“Oh, trust me,” I say softly. “I know.”

She leans into my touch and tilts her head down for a second before pulling away, shaking her head once more like she’s resetting herself.

“But you were right at the wedding,” she continues. “I think… maybe I am too much.”

It’s offensive that she believes that.

This time, there’s no hesitation. I take her face between my hands and gently, firmly make her look at me.

“Emma,” I say, steady but sharp enough there’s no space for doubt. “You are absolutely too much.”

Her expression falls, and she tries to pull back.

“You’re stubborn. You ask a thousand questions about everything. You bicker with me so much it drives me up the walls,” I list off, voice softening as I go. “You have more energy than a kid on a sugar rush, and you’re so adventurous it’s intimidating. Don’t even get me started on these⁠—”

I tug on the front pocket of her overalls and she frowns, looking downright offended.

“Leave my overalls out of this.”

I laugh.

“I wouldn’t change a single thing,” I tell her. “They make you special. Like no one I’ve ever met before.”

She opens her mouth, already winding up for an argument, but I interrupt her before she can say anything.

“I love you.”

Her eyes widen.

“Told you last time we were here I’d tell you my one, big secret. Well, there you have it,” I say with a helpless shrug. “Since the day we met, I’ve been in awe of you. Your strength. Your determination. The way you throw yourself into everything without looking back. How you make every room brighter as soon as you walk into it. Couldn’t tell you when it turned to more. I just know I’m completely in love with you, Mills.”

Emma doesn’t say anything. A couple of tears roll down her cheeks. I’m about to brush them away when she beats me to it.

“Shit.” She laughs, rolling her eyes. “I love you, too.”

Done.

The words leave her, and I’m finished.

Every doubt I’ve carried for the last three days evaporates so fast it’s embarrassing.