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Emma continued to talk to her sister for another ten minutes, mouthing ‘yes’ when he pantomimed eating dinner.
By the time she was done with her call, he had the meal served in front of the TV.
They had moved on from Bill Murray to Keanu Reeves. Emma hadn’t been the biggest fan of Bill and Ted, but she loved Keanu in anything action because she was the most perfect woman in the world.
ExceptJohnny Mnemonicwasn’t Keanu’s strongest work. Emma was flagging by the midpoint, and he wasn’t doing much better.
“In retrospect, taking the extra strength Benadryl for the cat dander might have been a mistake.” He yawned.
There was no response. Emma was already asleep.
It was time to carry her to her room. He was just going to close his eyes for a minute…
There wasa hand on her breast. It was very warm and very big.
This was around the time Emma realized she wasn’t in her bed. She had fallen asleep on the couch again.
But Garrett hadn’t done that thing they didn’t acknowledge. He hadn’t put her to bed. Instead, he’d lain down with her, curling around her body so that her back was to his front.
And now his arm was wrapped around her, his big hand underneath her T-shirt, cuppingunderneathher bra.
Dear God, her nipple was diamond-hard. It was throbbing and for once that word didn’t mean pain.
Her inhale must have been too deep because Garrett began to stir.
“Baby?” he muttered sleepily, squeezing her breast.
Emma pushed out of his arms so fast she fell off the couch, landing on the hardwood floor with a thump.
“Shit.” That had hurt. Emma picked herself up with a groan.
“Emmy.” Garrett’s voice was slurred. He was still half-asleep. Blinking, he pushed himself up on one elbow.
He swore under his breath when he realized where they were. Then his eyes slowly focused on her. “Did we fall asleepon the couch?”
Did Garrett not realize he’d been feeling her up in his sleep moments ago?
“I guess so,” she mumbled, flushed, her skin itchy. “God, look at the time. I have to get ready for work or I’ll be late.”
He frowned and started to ask a question, but she was already rushing out of the room.
Hurrying, Emma showered and dressed, ducking out of the apartment as soon as she heard the doors to Garrett’s room close. Then she left for the shift that wouldn’t begin for another two hours.
Emma’s mind was racing the whole ride down the elevator to the lobby.
Baby. He’d called her baby.
Obviously, he’d been thinking about someone else. Who was it? His ex-wife? Or was it someone new she didn’t know about?
Hold up. That was crazy. Garrett wasn’t seeing anyone. He would have told her. Relished doing so in fact.
Unless he’s sneaking around.
That didn’t seem like Garrett. But he was the type to be protective of a new partner. Maybe he didn’t want to bring it up to her before he knew it was serious. Men did that sort of thing all the time, right?
He was divorced. It was only natural he’d be gun-shy and careful with a new partner. Unless it was his former wife he was thinking about after all?
Her stomach tightened. Emma didn’t know which idea she disliked more. They all sucked.