Page 63 of Speak from the Heart

Rule 17

Them’s fighting words.

[Jess]

The next few days fall into a comfortable kind of rhythm, which I come to realize is both dangerous and something I don’t want to give up. Emily joins us for family dinner at Mom’s house the day after our date. Katie and I visit her at Mrs. Parrish’s place the next night for dinner. I notice Elizabeth doesn’t have a television, or at least a working one, so Emily comes to our place to watch a girly princess movie one evening, and we go see another one at the local movie theater the next. By Thursday evening, I’m kid-friendly dated out. I’ve been back to the house to re-measure for a new sink, but it still isn’t enough. I need some adult time with Emily, and more than just the kisses we sneak in when we think no one is watching or when Katie is out of the room for a few minutes. The clock counting down our time together feels like it’s speeding up, and I want to spend all my minutes with her.

“So, it’s kind of a tradition to meet up once a week with a few of my family members. Whoever is available,” I say to her as I arrive on Thursday evening.

“And how many are available tonight?” she asks nervously, paint splattered on her cheek. More preparations to leave.

“Well, Tom and Karyn. My sister Tricia, and my other sister Pam. And Karyn’s youngest brother, Ethan.”

“Your brother married Ethan’s sister and that’s what joins you all together?” she clarifies. I’d explained earlier how Gavin Scott was my best friend when I was a kid, and that Karyn is Gavin’s older sister. I’d forgotten to mention there was one more Scott sibling.

“Yep. Makes us family by default.” I swipe at her nose. “Did you get any on the walls?”

She looks up at me all innocent-like, and I can’t stop the grin from forming on my lips. It’s been nice to smile again, and this woman does it to me. I’ll be going back to who I was once she leaves. I’m certain of it.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re a hot mess.” I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen this girl pulled together. More times than not, she’s been a disaster of dirt smears, wet clothing, or paint smudges, and I love it.

I love her. It hit me hard on our date night as I entered her while her legs dangled off the side of the bed. I slid into her, propped over her, and caged her in. I want all things from her—her currently messy appearance, her sharp mind, and her loving heart.

Her mouth has fallen open at my comment, but I quickly cover it with my own. I’ve missed those lips during the hours I’ve been away from her. I love her taste, but if I don’t stop this, we’ll end up on the living room floor, and I promised Tricia I’d be at the Tavern for a bit. She’s going through something with her husband, and I don’t like it.

“Shower?” I mutter as I pull back from her sweetness.

“Join me?” she whispers, and I groan.

“We need to go uptown just for a bit.” I have every intention of being inside her again tonight before I need to leave and get home to Katie.

Emily pouts and turns for the stairs. She takes off her shirt as she climbs the steps.

“Dammit,” I hiss, watching her move away from me. Suddenly, I’m following her, tugging off my own tee.

+ + +

We finally walk up to Main Street forty-five minutes later. Emily had to do her hair and then tried on three different outfits before I told her I’d take her to the bar naked if she didn’t just pick something.

“Do they approve of me?” she asks. She bites her lip. It’s an unwarranted question, given she’s already met most of them.

“What’s not to like?” I squeeze her hand tighter, and she stumbles in her wedge heels. “Not wearing the most practical shoes again.”

“And those are practical?” She gestures to my boots, which are designed for riding a motorcycle, not walking on a street. “Speaking of shoes, when are you going to return the silver sandals you stole from me?”

“I didn’t steal your shoes. I’m holding them for safekeeping. For your safety, really. Those are a sprained ankle waiting to happen.”

“They accentuate my legs.” I want to tell her she doesn’t need anything accentuated. From the way she dresses in bright, colorful clothing to her pushy energy, everything about her is vibrant and lively. She’s a vision even covered in dirt or soaking wet.

When we reach the Tavern, I hold open the door for her. “Ready?”

The din of the boisterous crowd feels welcoming, and my brother, Tom, calls out to us in greeting. My sister Pam is present, along with Ethan Scott, as predicted. He’s a good-looking man, and he knows it, thelittle shit, even if he is over thirty.

“Well, well, well, look who Jess dragged with him,” Ethan states as he looks at Emily from head to toe. “Come sit by me, beautiful.” He pulls out the chair beside him.

“Find your own woman,” I snap good-naturedly. I position myself in the chair he provided and drag up a new one for Emily. Possessively, I casually lean my arm on back of her seat, and she sits on the edge of it, leaning toward me.