Page 38 of Decoding Emma

“It’s not.I’m usually not short tempered.”

“What set you off?”I was curious.

“My parents are coming to town in a couple of weeks and want me to attend some event with them.”

“And that’s bad because?”From the tone of her voice, she wasn’t happy about her parents visit or whatever the event was.

She shook her head as Josh and Dean walked up to the table.

“What a day.”Josh sat to Emma’s right, and Dean sat next to Josh.

“I need this,” Dean said.

“How are you, Emma?”Josh asked.

“Good.Busy day?”

I watched the interaction between Josh, Emma, and Dean.She was friendly with them, but not overly so.I’d noticed that when she chatted with them about what was needed for their app.

By the time Cassie and Marcus joined us, Miles and Lucas had arrived, and there were two pitchers of beer on the table and mugs.

“We’re all here,” Marcus commented.

“About time,” Cassie muttered.

The men laughed.“Sorry, Cassie, some of us don’t get to leave the office at four,” Lucas said.

I glanced around the table at my friends, and my gaze settled on Emma.She looked a bit uncomfortable.She hadn’t been around all of us at once yet.

“Are you okay?”I whispered.

“I’m fine.It’s interesting to see all of you together.”

“Watch out once the beer starts flowing.”

Chapter Sixteen

Emma

I wondered what Asher meant.A few hours later, I found out.The men were on their way to being drunk.I’d never seen men put away so much beer.Even though they ate, the guys were unsteady on their feet.

“Another pitcher,” Marcus said.

“Nope.”Cassie waved the waitress away.“All of you are getting drunk.”

“Aw, Cassie.We’re fine,” Josh said, his words slightly slurred.

Cassie shook her head.“No, you’re not.”

“How are they going to get home?”I whispered to Cassie.

“Can you take Asher home?The other four can do a ride share, and of course, I can take Marcus.”

“What about their cars?”I wasn’t sure how secure they would be.

“The parking structure locks down at night.I’ll let security know their cars are going to be there.”

“It locks down?”I didn’t know that.