Page 107 of Emma

Vanessa lifted her brows and exhaled slowly. “In that case, the moment she gives you the go-ahead, I’m going to have my work cut out making it as perfect as it can possibly be.”

“Babe.” Emma snorted. “You’ll be here, so it’s already going to be perfect.”

Mesmerisedby the steady stirring of the sauce, Emma stood in the kitchen, one hip propped against the counter, the comfort of cooking easing some of the restlessness she’d been carrying since she’d called Carmen last night. She didn’t expect a response immediately; Freya was probably hanging out with Alice or at one of her football training sessions, but it didn’t stop her from thinking the worst.

I don’t know when you started doing that, but it needs to stop.

Lost in thought, she jumped when her phone started to vibrate on the counter. She grabbed it quickly, nearly burning her wrist as she fumbled with the wooden spoon.

Freya.

Emma’s palms grew clammy, but she immediately answered. “Hey, you.”

“Hi, Emma.”

Even now, Freya still went into every interaction with Emma on the shy side of things. She understood, this was a hugeadjustment for everyone, but she hoped to one day do this without either of them feeling as though they were putting the other out.

Emma beamed a smile. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Um, Carmen said you’d asked if we’d like to come to yours for Christmas dinner.”

Emma’s stomach flipped, but she held her nerve. Maybe if Freya noticed that Emma wasn’t apprehensive, it would rub off on her. “I did, yes.”

“I-I wanted to ring you and tell you that I’d like that.” When Freya’s voice brightened, Emma could almost picture her fidgeting with the cuff of her jumper. “Really like it.”

Emma pressed her palm flat against the counter to steady herself. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

Freya gave a little laugh. “I do, and I believe you. You don’t lie to me like everyone else used to.” She hesitated, then said, “It feels really nice to be wanted somewhere.”

Emma blinked back the tears settling on her eyelashes and swallowed. “Youarewanted, Freya.Always.”

“E-Emma, what would you like for Christmas?”

Emma froze, the wooden spoon clattering lightly against the edge of the pan. Nobody had ever asked her that inthatway before. Not like this; not a sister and certainly not family.

She composed herself and closed her eyes. “Honestly? Having you here is the best present I could ever ask for.”

Freya giggled. “That’ssocheesy.”

“Oh, I know it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true.” Emma lowered the hob and turned, pressing her back to the edge of the counter. “Presents are just things. They’re nice and all, but you being here with me at Christmas…that’s everything.”

“Okay. I’ll bring myself as your present.”

Emma pressed a hand to her chest, the ache almost too much to bear. “Thanks, sis.”

“You remembered and said it back!”

Oh, this child was going to be the death of her one of these days. Emma just knew it. “Of course I did. It’s hard to forget something like that.”

“Can I keep your number and text you now that I was allowed to call you?”

Emma chewed her lip, resuming her stirring of the sauce for dinner. “If Carmen and Ben say it’s okay, then of course you can. But you have to ask them first.”

“I will.” Freya sighed. “Okay, I have to go now. Ben is waiting to drive me to football training. But…I’ll see you soon.”

“I can’t wait,” Emma said softly, no longer terrified of telling Freya how she felt. “Good luck at training. Score a few goals, yeah?”

“I’ll try.”