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“What did he say?”

“He demanded I repeat it.”

“Sounds smoking hot. The picture in my head is even hotter than when he showed up at the bar.”

“It was a mistake. Way too soon.” I tell her the whole story of the way home and the events leading up to my disastrous confession. When I’m done, her eyes are wide and shining bright.

“Let me get this straight. He kissed you so passionately your knees gave out, he said you gave him a gift he’d been waiting for, and told you that you’d have the conversation later; yet, you act like he shattered your heart.”

“I told him I love him, Maren. The first man besides my dad I’ve ever said that to, and he didn’t say it back. I’m embarrassed and I feel stupid.”

“Open your eyes, Emi. That was him telling you he loves you. He’s been telling you for weeks. Walker’s an action man… think about his actions.”

The last five weeks fly through my mind, and each memory sends a little ripple through my body. My mood does a complete shift as I realize I’ve been overreacting.

“GAH! Why am I such a girl?” I whack the sofa and fall back.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. As a girl, we get a pass on being emotionally distressed.”

“I’m going to pretend like it didn’t happen,” I declare, standing and reaching for my phone. “I gave him a little attitude this morning, so I’ll apologize and chalk it up to having to go into the office. Then I’ll act like nothing happened.”

“Not sure that will work, but give it a try.”

“It’ll work,” I assure her as much as myself, scrolling to his number.

“Wait, before you call him, did you retain any of the information about Justin?”

“Yep, and tomorrow, I’ll put a tracker on his car. We’ll go from there.”

“Perfect, now call your boyfriend.”

I hit send and listen for the connection, but at the same time, there’s a knock at her door. She looks at me, her jaw dropping.

“It can’t be,” I mouth, now hearing the ringing in harmony on my phone and the other side of her door.

She leaps up, running to the door and squinting through her peephole. She then spins around and starts motioning for me to help her clean up. In a panic, I hang up and throw the phone, scraping all the papers that are strewn across the table and sofa.

She slams her computer closed and lifts the sofa cushion for me to stuff the paperwork.

“Sit back and look natural.” She shoves my empty wine glass in my hand and then fluffs her hair, pasting on a smile.

“Who is it?” Her attempt at cheery comes out more of a squeak.

“Walker.” His brisk reply booms through the wood.

“Hi, Walker,” she says cheerily as she opens the door.

Without waiting for an invitation, he barges in until he’s in front of me. His eyes do a full body scan and land on mine. He takes the wine glass, tossing it on the couch, and grips my elbows gently, tugging me to him.

“Hi, sweetheart.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders and kiss him briefly. “This is a nice surprise.”

“You were supposed to call me.”

“I just did. You didn’t answer.”

“When you left work, you were supposed to call.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry,” I tell him sincerely, hoping he picks up my double meaning.