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“It feels like I’m just one more possession,” she argues.
“Maybe he’s cold because he doesn’t know how to be any other way?”
“That doesn’t make things easier. I don’t really want to talk about it. Niko is out of town for the next few days. I just want to enjoy the break. So, help me avoid all talk of Niko,” Emilia says. I can tell she’s overwhelmed, so I let it go.
“I can do that,” I agree.
“Tell me, do you really like Callan?” A small smile plays on her lips, and I know she’s not against the idea, which makes me feel better.
“I do. I think I couldreallylike him and that’s what scares me,” I confess. The truth is, I already crave being around him. I’ve missed him since he left my house the other night—or morning really. I know I’m in over my head. I just don’t know what I can do about it. “Callan isn’t what I thought he was, Emmie. It makes me so nervous, though. He still doesn’t quite fit in my world. What if I allow myself to fall for him and he wakes up one day and discovers I’m just too different?”
“You’re forgetting, Zoe. You didn’t exactly feel like you fit with me either and yet, we are sisters in every way but blood. It’s the closest relationship I’ve ever had in my life.”
“I feel the same way,” I tell her, smiling. “The exact same.” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “I would be lost without you.”
“Ditto, but we need to hush on this before I start to cry,” Emilia points out.
“Okay,” I laugh. “I can help to sidetrack you. We can talk about my panic because I’m going out on a date with Callan tonight. It wassupposedto be lunch, but he got held up in a mediation.”
“You have a date with him and didn’t tell me?” Emilia asks in surprise.
“I wasn’t even sure I was going to really do it,” I confess.
“What changed your mind?”
“Callan came by the diner. He was so sweet when I had a flat. He insisted on giving me a ride to my house and made sure everything was safe inside the house, too. I didn’t even know guys like that existed.”
“Oh, they exist alright. Niko is like that, but it’s not always a good thing.”
“Maybe you need to give Niko a chance? I think there’s more there than he lets you see.”
“I think you’re wrong,” she counters.
“If you’re going to get married to him, you might as well make it worth it and find out,” I suggest.
“Maybe…” She doesn’t really sound like she agrees, so I let it drop again.
“Since you’re my chauffeur today, how about we go find an outfit for me to wear tonight?”
“Only if we can use my credit card.” She gives me a stubborn look and I frown.
“Absolutely not! I have money saved up from work. I can buy my own clothes,” I argue, shaking my head.
“Please!” She mock pouts, making me roll my eyes. “Niko gets after me because I never do anything nice for myself. I hate using the money he puts in my personal account every month. This will just stop him from yelling at me.”
“That money isn’t for me, Emmie. Niko wants it spent on you, not your needy best friend.”
“You’re not needy. You never let me do anything for you. Besides, Niko will only see that I went shopping and it will get him off my back,” Emilia counters. “Come on, Zoe. You know that I hate shopping for myself. He wants me to shop constantly. He clearly doesn’t know me at all or he’d get that.”
“I think you should let Niko see you for you and not what you allow yourself to show because of your family.”
Emilia sighs. “Didn’t we agree to avoid talking about him?”
“Fine. Let’s go shopping,” I relent.
“With my card.”
“Emmie—”
