"Yes. I.. uhm.. just wanted to let you know that Claire is coming over to stay with us for a couple of days," he said evenly. "She's feeling... lonely, given everything with Jake."
Emma blinked, her voice neutral. "Oh, okay."
Her lack of reaction stung, though Alex told himself it was to be expected. She was probably feeling uncomfortable by the prospect of having Claire around.
It was his fault. He mused, guilt gnawing at him. He probably should've been firm in his decision. He shouldn't have let Claire talk her way out.
"I hope that won't make you uncomfortable. I know Claire can be... intense at times. But if you'd rather, I can ask her to not to come. You don't have to pretend to be okay around her."
"It's fine, Alex," Emma replied softly. "Really. I won't be uncomfortable around Claire. You don't need to worry."
Her reassurance should've put him at ease, but instead, it unsettled him. He felt like there was more unsaid words between them, but he didn't know how to address it. "Are you sure? I can make other arrangements if—"
"Alex," she interrupted gently, "I'm sure. I can handle it."
Alex paused, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. "She's arriving this morning. Will you be okay managing things with her on your own until I get back?"
"Yes, I'll be fine," Emma assured him, though a part of her wondered why he sounded so worried.
Was it because of the promise he made to her or was there something more?
"Okay," he said, his voice softening. "I'll check in later, just in case."
"Thank you," Emma replied, her tone polite.
As they hung up, Emma stared at her phone, disappointment settling over her like a cloud. What were you expecting, Emma? That he'd call to say he feels the same way?
Emma sighed, placing her phone on the bedside table as the call with Alex ended. She leaned against the headboard, her arms crossed tightly, feeling a mix of emotions swirling in her chest.
How did I let my life get this complicated? First it was Jake and now, his Uncle. What was she to do with the drama going on in her life? Her life had been so perfect before that morning six weeks ago or so she had thought.
A sigh escaped her lips and she looked up at the ceiling. What was she supposed to do with Alex? What was she to do about their arrangement now? Could she still go ahead?
Her thoughts drifted to the previous night—the playful game of pretending to be strangers, the laughter they shared, the warmth in Alex's eyes that made her heart skip. And then, the kiss. It had been unexpected, electrifying, and entirely too perfect.
She closed her eyes, trying to will away the memory, but it lingered like a stubborn ghost. It had felt right in a way that scared her, and yet, Alex's apology that morning had crushed any illusions she might have dared to entertain.
Maybe it was foolish of me to think it meant something to him, she thought bitterly. No matter how many times she had told herself that, she still felt bitter and hurt about it.
What was she to do now? Everything just seemed like a mess. Maybe.... she sat up straight when crazy idea flitted through her mind.
perhaps it was time she started all over in somewhere new. Get a fresh life in a place where nobody knew her name or her past. Could I really do that?
She mused but the thought vanished as quickly as it came when her phone buzzed loudly beside her.
Emma glanced at the screen and sighed. It was Ivy. Of course, she'd call now. She thought when she realized they hadn't talked since after the date and she was calling to get all the juicy details.
Juicy details, indeed. She mused with a soft chuckle and then sighed. Perhaps she should just let the phone ring and then call later?
Ivy was just going to keep calling so it was best she just received the call now.
She told herself as she reluctantly picked up.
"Hey, Vee," she said with false cheerfulness.
"Hey, girl! How are you?" Ivy's chirpy voice came through.
Emma hesitated, considering for a fleeting moment if she should spill everything about Alex and the kiss. But the image of Ivy grinning smugly on the other end of the line made her reconsider. "I'm fine," she said simply.
"Just fine?" Ivy pressed. "Come on, you know I don't do vague. Tell me about the date! Everything. And don't you dare leave out a single detail," she said just as Emma had known she would.
Emma's heart skipped a beat, her throat tightening. She cleared it quickly. "The date was fine. Nothing special happened."
There was silence on Ivy's end for a moment, and then her sharp tone cut through.
"Nothing special happened? Em, why do you sound so off if nothing special happened?" she asked suspiciously.
"I'm fine," Emma said, forcing her voice to sound casual. But then, the weight of her emotions grew too heavy and she sniffled.
Ivy frowned when she heard the sniffle. "Are you crying, Em?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.
As though that was the trigger, Emma's eyes glistened and the tears she was trying to suppress started flowing down freely.
"I'm just... such a fool, Ivy. I'm a fool," she said amidst her tears.
Ivy's heart broke hearing how vulnerable she spunded. "What are you talking about, Em? How can you be a fool? You're the most strongest and smartest girl I've ever known, sweetie," Ivy said, her confusion laced with concern.
Emma took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Last night, Alex and I... we kissed."
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "What?! You kissed Alex? Then why are you crying? What's wrong with kissing him? Or did you both go all the way and he's refusing to take responsibility?"
"Yes," Emma admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What? You went all the way?" Ivy asked in shock.
"No! What? No!" Emma said quickly as she raised a hand to wipe at her tears.
"You didn't? Then what happened?" Ivy asked feeling quite confused now.
"We kissed and maybe it would've gone further if I hadn't stopped it. But this morning, he apologized. Said it was a mistake and that it wouldn't happen again."