Page 70 of Wilds of the Heart
“Some people call it a gut feeling, other people say intuition.” He shook his head and let out a deep breath. “They run on that feeling, and if something feels even a little different, they are out like a shot. Notice I said different, not bad. Just different. They put meaning to every single thing. That can be good, or it can be awful. I almost lost Mimi when I was nineteen because she had a funny feeling.” He scratched his head. “Come to find out, it was love.”
I nodded, feeling the unsettling sensation in my stomach at the thought of the residency.
He reached in and patted my shoulder. “Just be prepared to chase after her. That’s all I’m saying.”
I laughed nervously as I saw Emily bounding out of the house wearing an orange sundress. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Absolutely. I’m here to lend an ear.”
I gave a quick nod as her grandpa backed away, and she opened the door. “Whew. Record time. I’ve got frozen lasagna defrosting in the fridge for lunch, Grandpa.”
He chuckled and nodded with a quick wave. “Keep this up, and we might never go home.”
We pulled away, and she laughed. “And that is what I’m terrified of.”
Chapter Seventeen
Emily
I took a bite of a coconut macaroon and sipped on a mocha while sitting at a table at Mae’s. She was going over some things with one of her employees, but she promised to come dress shopping with me down the street.
Come to think of it, I probably shouldn’t be slamming a thousand calories for my snack before trying on slinky dresses.
Not that Lucas hadn’t seen every inch of me.
Ah, who cares?
It still felt like a dream. We’d crossed that bridge, and everything about it felt… right. There were no nagging little feelings or uneasiness roaring to life. It was refreshing. And I hadn’t hidden in a corner, ignoring his texts and pretending it didn’t happen, so I’d say that was a step in the right direction.
Not that I could ever forget that it happened. The man was skilled. I shook my head, taking a bite of macaroon as I dreamily thought back to his expert hands.
“Are we going or what?” Mae asked, slipping her hands to her hips. “It’s like the third time I’ve asked.”
I shot up from the chair and popped the last bit of coconut into my mouth and smiled. “Sorry. I’m out of it.”
Mae’s brow arched, and a smirk rested on her features. “Believe me, I’ve heard.”
I chuckled, dabbing my lips with a napkin before tossing it in the trash on the way outside. “I don’t know who has heard what, other than to say that all day, my entire family has been giving me side eye. It’s kind of creepy.”
Mae laughed as we walked down the sidewalk. “I don’t know. Mimi called Mom.”
“What? Mom? Ew.”
“She only said that you didn’t come home last night and wondered if she should be worried.” Mae laughed. “Mom saw right through it.”
“Yet, she felt compelled to share with you,” I pointed out with a laugh.
“Yeah. I can tell you if I ever find the man of my dreams, I’m just going to show up already eloped.”
I stole a look at Mae, wondering if she ever seriously thought about dating.
“So, is it true…?” Her voice trailed off, and she smiled at me.
I couldn’t hide my grin and nodded. “Yeah.”
“Finally. Amelia said she saw you two playing tonsil hockey at the beach, so I held out hope that you’d finally just go for it.”
I chuckled as we landed at the dress boutique. “Yeah?”