Page 65 of Decoding Emma

I put her gym bag and backpack in the back seat while she got settled in the passenger seat and I got in.Belt, mirrors, phone in holder.Before I started the car, I glanced at Emma to make sure she was belted and comfortable.Her brow was slightly furrowed, and it looked like she was biting her cheek.

“Hey, it’ll be fine.”I patted her hand where it rested on her thigh.“You have a place to stay and a driver to take you wherever you want.”

She hesitated.

“Emma, there’s no pressure.I have a guest bedroom.”

Her sigh of relief made me grin.Was she worried I was expecting her to go to bed with me tonight?While it would be ideal, I wasn’t going to pressure her into anything if she was the slightest bit reluctant.

I backed out of the parking space and glanced at her as I pulled out onto the street.

“Asher, I don’t feel like this is fair to you.”

“What d’you mean?”

“I mean, you’re doing a lot for me, and I’m just a friend.”

I thought about her words for a minute.“I’m glad we’re friends.But I would like us to be more.”

“You would?”

I turned to her while I waited for the traffic light to turn green and, almost immediately, had to turn my focus back to the road as the car in front of us began to move forward.“Yes.But this isn’t a conversation I want to have while I’m driving.”Definitely not.

“Agreed.”

Emma fell silent, and even though I told her I didn’t want to continue on that subject, I missed hearing her voice.

“I don’t have much in the way of food to cook.Why don’t we stop and pick up something?”

“That’s fine.”

“What would you like?”I wanted her to feel comfortable in my house.

“Whatever you’re in the mood for.”

I barely bit back a retort.“Emma, this is a decision we can make together.Tell me some of your favorite foods.”

“Pizza, sandwiches, salads, I’m not super picky.”

“Pizza it is.”There was place I frequented that made the best thick crust pizza.“What do you like on your pizza?”

“You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

“Never.”

“Chicken and pineapple.”

I did a double take and then laughed.“I like pineapple on my pizza too.”

“Usually, people look at me like I’m nuts and say it ruins pizza.”

“Never.”Within minutes, we were at the pizza place.I told Emma to relax and went inside to order.They weren’t too busy, and we were on our way with a large pizza, salad, and cheese bread.

When we got to my place and parked the car in the garage, I went to grab her bag while holding our food.

“No, Asher.I’ll get my backpack and bag.You take care of the food.We can’t risk the stuff ending up on the floor just for the sake of chivalry.”

I laughed but wasn’t offended.Once inside, I plunked the food in the kitchen and guided her to the guest bedroom.