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“Ms. Emma, you have to try this,” Bryce says as he walks over to her and shoves the s’more in her face.
“Okay.” She takes it from him and takes a small bite. “This is so good. You did a great job making it,” she tells him as she hands it back. His fingers are covered in mess, he’s got chocolate all over his face, and poor Moose is looking at him so longingly I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me.
“I’ll make you one,” he says, moving back toward the platter.
“You know who owns that orchard,” Ash says as he looks at me. “Briggs.”
Briggs. He used to come and watch us play at Smokey’s. From what I remember, he’s a decent guy.
“That’s right.” I glance over at Cora. “His family has lived in this area for generations.”
“Okay,” she says, a little wary of why we’re telling her this.
“Just saying, if you needed any help, I’m sure you could ask him,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “No thanks. I won’t need any help,” she declares determinedly, as if this is going to be a piece of cake.
“Or us. We’re all here to help you too,” Emma chimes in, and I notice an orange flicker across her face.
Glancing out toward the lake, past the tiki torches we have lit around the deck, I see the sun has set enough that it’s finally dark outside. In the distance, fireworks have started, and they echo around the mountain range. Every time one pops and sends out a rumble, Bryce’s head swivels around like he might be able to see it.
“Bryce, do you want to walk down to the dock with me to light some fireworks?” I ask. He’s just about to start the next marshmallow for Emma, but instead he drops it on the platter. Juliet’s gaze shoots to mine, and while I smile at her, she rolls her eyes.
“You got fireworks!” He jumps to stand in front of me, and Moose jumps too.
“I sure did. What kind of uncle would I be if I didn’t?” I ruffle his hair as he licks his fingers.
“The kind that believes in him keeping all his fingers and toes,” Juliet sasses.
“Hey now, I didn’t bring any fireworks,” Ash says, frowning.
“That’s why I’m his favorite.” I smirk at him and stand.
Everyone else stands too.
“You all can head down, I’ll grab them from the garage and follow.”
“I’ll help you,” Emma tells me as she picks up the s’mores platter to take it inside. “We can eat more of these when we get back.”
One by one, the five of them start making their way down the stairs while I run out and grab the bag. Emma is still in the kitchen, and I realize we are alone. It’s been hours since we’ve had any time just the two of us.
“Having fun?” I ask as I make my way toward her and drop the fireworks on the counter.
“Yes,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she looks up at me.
Reaching for her, I run my hands under the skirt of her dress, grabbing both butt cheeks, and I pull her into me. She’s wearing a thong, and instantly the blood in my body reroutes.
“What are you doing?” She laughs.
“It’s been too long since I’ve had my hands on you.” I bend down and kiss her. She tastes like chocolate and burnt sugar. She tastes delicious.
“Feeling is mutual,” she says against my lips as she runs her hands up my chest and straight into my hair.
I can never get enough of her.
Taking the free moment, I kiss her. I kiss her because I missed her, even though she’s been next to me all night. I kiss her because it slows my heart and grounds me with contentment. I kiss her because she’s my best friend and my most favorite thing.
I once thought I had put myself together with an indestructible glue, but as it turned out, I hadn’t. Emma nudged her way back in and blew my world apart, only it wasn’t glue I needed, it was just her. She’s mended the pieces of me I was forcing together, and because of this, because of her, I feel whole.
