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“Thank you.”
While Emma gets pulled into another conversation, Jolyn guides me to the bar where she orders a drink.
“Have you and Emma been looking at apartments? She mentioned she had a few viewings this week.”
“Um—” This is news to me. Emma hasn’t mentioned anything about apartments. But why would she? I’m supposed to be leaving on Monday. We haven’t planned on moving in together, but I go along with it.
“Yeah, we’re still narrowing it down.”
“Philip and I love having you with us, but it will be nice when you’re settled into your own place. Then you can open some of those gifts.”
I smile. “Thank you for letting us stay with you.”
“Of course. You’re family.”
Over the next hour, I mingle through the crowd, mostly with my arm wrapped around Emma’s waist, but when she excuses herself to use the restroom, I set my beer on a table and take a moment to send Sophie a text. I’ve just hit send when Jess sets her drink on the table and drops down in the seat across from me.
“Congratulations,” she says, lifting her wine glass toward me.
“Thank you.” I clink my beer bottle against her glass.
“There’s a lot to celebrate tonight. You passing the bar, Emma signing the contract with Bergman’s for her line. It’s all very exciting.”
“Wait. She signed the contract today?” I ask.
“Yeah, didn’t she tell you?”
At that moment, Emma appears at our table.
“Do you want another round or should we go?” She tries to wink seductively, but she’s tipsy and it turns out more goofy than sexy.
“Can we talk for a minute?” I try to keep the frustration out of my voice but Emma catches the edge in my tone.
“Ooh,” she says it dramatically. “Am I in trouble?”
I take her hand and lead her down the hallway by the bathrooms. I pull her into a small alcove tucked back by the kitchen.
“Jess told me you finalized the contract with Bergman’s today. That’s huge. Congratulations!” I pull her into me and squeeze her tight.
“Thank you.” Her laugh is pure joy.
I relax my hold on her, but keep her close, trying not to be too stern when I ask, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to tell you.” Her fingers tease into the hair at the nape of my neck. Her tender touch eases my frustration at her omission. “I was about to call you but you called me first and told me about your exam and I wanted to celebrate you.”
I shake my head. “We can celebrate both of us.”
“I know, but I wanted to give you your moment. Not make it about me.”
“You’re my wife. All my moments are attached to you.”
The second the words are out of my mouth; I realize what I’ve just said. What I’ve laid claim to. But Emma doesn’t seem to notice.
She licks her lips and leans in for a kiss. “You’re sweet.”
“You know what else is sweet?” My hand slides under the hem of her dress, contacting the smooth skin of her thigh.
“Hmm?” Emma hums against my lips as I capture her mouth with mine.
