Page 18 of The Love Chase
The bell tinkled over the front door before I heard Dina herself cry, “Oh, my goodness, it’s a day of miracles! Is that Emma Beck returning to us at last?”
Every muscle in my body locked up, and my head snapped over my shoulder. Sure enough, there was Emma, wearing a yellow sun dress with white sneakers, her damp hair in two curly buns at the nape of her neck.
I didn’t think I’d ever thought the words before, but I couldn’t help thinking that Emma looked beautiful.
Where did that come from? We’ve been best friends forever, and I’ve never once been attracted to her. I just missed her, that’s all.
Emma smiled at Dina with that bright smile of hers. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it until I saw it grace her face. She didn’t see me yet, and I briefly thought about sneaking out of the restaurant so my presence didn’t make that smile disappear.
“Who’s that?” Bridget asked, crashing a heavy bucket of cold reality over my head.
My heart lurched in my chest. I didn’t want my manager anywhere near Emma. Sure, Emma could hold her own no problem, but I didn’t want to risk my best friend getting dragged into one of Bridget’s schemes. Emma deserved better than that.
“Just some girl that lives in town,” I lied, the words bitter on my tongue. I filled my mouth with another bite to prevent myself from blurting something I couldn’t take back.
She arched a perfect brow. “Looks like more than just some girl by the look on your face.”
I breathed through my nose, trying to calm myself as I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
And then, all the way across the room, I heard Dina’s voice say, “I’m just happy as a peach! Who would’ve thought that both Emma and Liam would return to Meridel at the same time!” She paused to wag a finger in my direction. “It’s like Christmas Day, only without the dreadful snow!”
Emma’s shoulders instantly went to her ears, her hands clenching at her sides, but she didn’t turn.
“That’s um, great, Dina,” she stuttered out, keeping her back to the rest of the room.
The old Emma would’ve dropped what she was doing, stolen some of my fries, and spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with me. Have I really hurt her that much?
“I’m just going to take my food to go,” she said, but Dina acted as if she hadn’t heard her, her short curly hair bouncing as she moved behind the counter.
“Everyone was so sad when both you and Liam moved away, and it’s so nice to see the two of you back here again. Just like old times.” She clapped her hands together in excitement.
Dina, you might as well have stabbed Emma in the stomach with how tense your words are making her.
“Right, like old times.” Emma’s words were quiet, but I still heard them all the same. Heard the sadness and regret layered deep inside them.
“Who is that?” Bridget asked me again. Her sharp eyes were narrowed on Emma, and I found myself wishing they had never crossed paths. Once Bridget got an idea, nothing would stop her.
“No one,” I retorted, though inside I was pleading. She’s my best friend. Please stay away from her.
“Sounds like you two know each other?” she asked, still studying Emma’s tall figure across the room.
I could only shrug as every word I ever knew fled from my brain.
Dina gave Emma a hug before handing her a bag of food. Just as Emma scurried to the door, still refusing to look my way, Bridget spoke.
“Excuse me, Emma?”
No no no. My stomach crashed into the ugly carpet beneath me. I hid my face behind my hand, pretending to rub my forehead, as if that would do anything at all.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, leaning over the table.
Bridget ignored me. “Emma? Come over here, please.”
I closed my eyes. I couldn’t believe this was happening. What scheme did she have up her sleeve this time? The burger I had eaten churned in my stomach.
“What. Are. You. Doing?” I asked again through clenched teeth.
She glared at me. “Fixing your problem.” Then the brightest smile appeared on her face as she turned to face a reluctant Emma, who stood a few feet away, her face pale as if she were looking at a ghost.