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Emmie grinned. “A much taller version of me.”

“Okay, but I like you just the way you are,” said Ted, turning as Lauren and Rick walked into the kitchen together.

“Hey, little one,” Lauren said to Clark. “C’mon, it’s time to eat.” She picked him up and said, “We’ll be back.”

“I’ll get out some appetizers, and we can go into the living room, where we’ll be more comfortable,” said Emmie.

The men left the kitchen.

Emmie put together a tray of sharp Cheddar cheese, grapes, and crackers and took it to them. Then she fixed a little plate for Lauren and carried it to the guest room.

“Come on in,” called Lauren, at Emmie’s knock.

Emmie opened the door and walked into the room. “I’ve brought you some snacks. Would you like something to drink?”

“Just ice water,” said Lauren. “First, I want to say that Ted seems very likable in the few moments I had to speak to him. You’re both glowing. That’s such a sure sign that things are working between you.”

“Our relationship is very precious to both of us. After meeting in Florida, we’ve never forgotten our feelings for one another. He makes me very happy.”

Lauren studied her. “I wondered how people could commit this quickly, but then I realized you both have had enough time pass to be certain you want to see where your relationship leads. Gemma told me you were frantic to find him at the restaurant and that he traveled right back to Romero’s to reach you. That’s a telling story.”

Emmie took hold of Lauren’s outstretched hand. “That’s when I knew all those alluring thoughts I’d had about him were right. He was the man I remembered, and our time together was as amazing as I’d dreamed.”

“I’m excited for you. I just hope you don’t rush into things,” said Lauren, sounding more like an adult than Emmie felt.

Lauren lifted Clark, who was more asleep than awake, and placed him on her shoulder to burp him.

Both women chuckled as Clark let out a loud sound and closed his eyes.

“Let me put him down, and I’ll join you,” said Lauren.

Emmie left the room, pleased that her talk with Lauren had gone well. She hoped Gemma and Tony would be as supportive.

###

Dinner that night was delicious and congenial. It was obvious that Lauren and Rick liked Ted. The only time they showed any discomfort with the idea of Emmie and Ted being together was when the subject of housing came up. Neither Lauren nor Rick seemed to like the idea of Emmie moving.

Aware of their feelings, Emmie decided to leave any of that discussion for later. It was a major sticking point in moving forward.

Even later, lying in bed beside Ted, Emmie told herself to relax about the future. They had other things to worry about. Namely, how Ted’s family would handle the idea of his relationship with her and whether it might involve his business.

Ted, aware of her as always, rubbed her back. “One step at a time. Remember?”

She moved closer and took calming breaths.

“I like your family,” said Ted. “Brad and Kate, too. I hope to speak to Gemma and Tony soon.”

“I’ll be in Newton in two weeks to help them paint their new house,” said Emmie. “Perhaps we can arrange a meeting then.”

“Okay. Then how about you come to Skaneateles next weekend to meet my family? Could you leave on Friday to give you a full day with them on Saturday? They may be busy at the dealership, but we can squeeze in time for you to spend with them.”

“I’ll make it work,” said Emmie, using a phrase Ted liked. Her assistant could handle the office.

“I’ve fallen for you,” Ted said, tipping her chin up to face him. He gazed into her eyes, then settled his lips on hers.

Emmie was swept up in a rush of emotions that quickly turned into desire. She’d thought she’d never feel this way again and leaned into him, wanting to imprint the length of his body against hers.

Later, they lay quietly.