Page 5 of Tea Leaves and Runaway Brides

"You really saved me out there."

4

Emerson

My gorgeous rescuer sets me up in an adorable cabin on his campground. I text the cabin's number to Tina, who shows up a half an hour later with my stuff from the hotel. After giving me an enormous hug and telling me how proud she is of me, she breaks open the wine she snagged from the hotel shop.

"Here, drink some of this," she insists.

"Oh, lord. Okay. And what's with the look? What are you about to tell me?"

"Oh, nothing that has any meaning in your life anymore," she says with a sly grin. "Just that Steve had basically a tantrum. He and his god-awful mother and cousins and the rest of them left for Boston soon after they gave up on looking for you."

"Welp. That works, I guess."

"And your dad is taking that secretary of his on your honeymoon because, and I quote, 'I fucking paid for it.'"

I burst into laughter, unable to stop myself.

"Of course, he's bringing freaking Marilou to Tahiti. I wouldn't be surprised if she forces him to elope there as well."

We kill the wine bottle within twenty minutes, and I'm already feeling a bit tipsy.

"Guess what?" Tina says in a sing-song voice as she pulls out a second bottle of chardonnay.

"Wow. You were busy while I was running away," I quip.

She pours me more wine right as there's a knock on the door. Darius, in all of his delicious glory, is standing on the step when Tina opens it.

"Emerson, it's your handsome rescuer," she says, giving me an obnoxious smile, and I feel my cheeks burn.

I stand up, feeling a little unsteady on my feet.

"Hi, Darius. Did you change your mind?"

He laughs, giving me a sexy crooked grin.

"No. Not at all. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. But I see you're already enjoying yourself," he says, indicating the wine.

"Want a glass?" Tina offers.

"No, I'm good. Thanks."

"Oh, fuck," I blurt out, and Tina and Darius look at me with surprise.

"Sorry, I just realized I fucking sold my goddamn condo," I say, turning to my friend.

"I told you to wait to do that." She says.

"Well, that's not helpful to me now, is it?" I snap back, then immediately say, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just mad at myself. Not you."

"Well, you could always get a flight to Nebraska and move in with me," she says with a shrug.

"Nebraska? You know I'd burst into flames if I lived that far away from the ocean."

Darius clears his throat.

"This cabin is empty for the rest of the week. You are more than welcome to stay here while you figure things out."