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He saw the tears threatening in her eyes at his generous offer. The funny thing was, he knew these were good people. He'd spent the bulk of his life surrounded by fakes and wannabes. He was still getting used to the fact that good people like the Fischers existed in the world. He genuinely looked forward to spending more time with them.
It was Mrs. Fischer who eased the awkward silence that had fallen over the kitchen. "Well I think we've stayed long enough. Let's get heading home, Robert. We need to stop and pick up some groceries. I'm hoping to see all three of you on Sunday."
Emma looked shocked. "But, Mom. You still want us all to come? I mean, Grandma will be there. And what if Mrs. Spinner spies on us from next door? I'm not good at lying and well...."
Linda walked back to talk directly to her daughter. "Listen to me, Emma. First, I'm not asking you or even wanting you to lie." She paused, collecting her thoughts. "Let me ask you a question. Do you really want this relationship to work with these men? I mean really work?"
"You know I do."
"So if you can't be proud of it with the people who love you most in the world, how exactly do you expect to go public? They are not truck drivers or schoolteachers. They are famous models. There will be no hiding you from their fans for long. Don't you think your grandmother would rather you tell her in person than read about it in a tabloid or see it on the six o'clock news?"
Emma glanced nervously around the room, taking the temperature of all of the occupants... the people who truly did love her the most in the world.
"Okay, fine. You're right. We'll be there."
Once it was decided, Emma wasn't the only nervous one in the room. One look at Chase and Jaxson knew the men wouldn't be sleeping well, worried about what lay ahead of them on Sunday. They'd laid low long enough. It was time they took their relationship public.
Chapter 16
Their Journey as a Trio
Shopping/Buy:
Haircut & Highlights
Mani-Pedi
Tanning salon
New wardrobe
Make-up/Make-over
Bathing suit and wrap
Brazilian wax
Suitcase
"What the hellare you doing up at four in the morning, baby?" Emma almost jumped out of her skin as Jaxson's deep voice broke her concentration. His long fingers squeezed her tense shoulders, eliciting a surprised squeak. His gentle massaging motion did wonders towards relieving the growing tension that had been swirling like a tornado inside her.
"I couldn't sleep. I have too much on my mind. Ah... not quite so hard. That hurts."
"It hurts because you're wound tight. Let me work some of the kinks out."
Emma closed her eyes and let her chin drop to her chest as she tried to relax under Jaxson's ministrations. The pen she'd been holding too tightly slipped from her fingers as his technique moved to a light karate chop action across the taut muscle connecting her head and shoulders. The room was dark save the small lamp on the desk in front of her, illuminating the loose-leaf paper containing a brain-dump of all things panicking her at the moment.
Jaxson's magical hands worked wonders on her shoulders before trekking lower to slip into her worn terry robe to fondle her heavy breasts. It was then she remembered another important stop she needed to make at the mall—Victoria's Secret. If she was going to travel the world with sexy models, the least she could do is upgrade her undergarments from Target.
Her lover had obviously been looking over her shoulder. "What is all this and why did you need to get up in the middle of the night to write it?"
Emma used her left arm to cover the lists. She knew they were a glimpse into her own insecurities as much as anything else. When he reached for the paper, she self-consciously tried to flip the list over, but Jax was having none of it, picking up the top sheet as Emma groaned.
When Jax was quiet for a long minute, she started to shiver in spite of the room feeling oppressively stuffy. When the silence became awkward, she dared a peek over her shoulder to find a scowling Jaxson. He didn't look mad. He looked... alarmed.
"I can explain."
"Not even twenty-four hours. I'm an idiot. You really had me fooled." The flat defeat in his voice was new.
