Page 69 of Emma

She rested back against the desk, folder still in hand, and fished her phone out of her hoodie pocket.

Her wife picked up on the second ring, her voice low and warm. “Hey, you.”

“She got it,” Emma blurted out, skipping the hello entirely. “She definitely got it!”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve just bumped into her. She’s going to reply tonight.” Emma sank into her chair, her face beginning to hurt from the constant grin she wore. “She said she liked it, babe.”

God, Emma felt ridiculous for being so excited by a simple exchange of words—she was in her mid-thirties, for God’s sake. But there was something about her small interactions with Freya that made her feel happiness on a level she hadn’t felt before. Itwasn’t the type of happiness she shared with Vanessa, that could never be compared, but for so long…Emma had gone through life with the knowledge she had no family to care about. Enter Freya, andeverythingwas changing.

“Oh, Em.” Emma could feel her wife smiling down the line. “That’s huge.”

“I know.” Emma pressed the heel of her hand to her chest, trying to steady the flutter. “It was just a quick, unexpected chat, only a couple of minutes before she was on her way to class, but she didn’t seem awkward or uncomfortable, and she didn’t look like she wanted to run away.”

“It sounds to me like she wanted you to know she appreciated it,” Vanessa said. “And maybe that she’s ready for a little more.”

“God, I hope so.” Emma tipped her head back and closed her eyes. “I didn’t push. I just kept it light.”

“That’s my girl. You handled it perfectly.”

Emma sighed when she finally felt that calm settle over her again. Vanessa would always be the reason; she was usually the only person who could get through to Emma. “I just wanted you to know. I couldn’t sit on it, knowing I probably won’t bump into you for the rest of the afternoon.”

“I’ll always want to know these things, Emma. Every step, no matter how small. They’re all a part of the journey.”

“I know.” Emma glanced at the clock. “I’ve got a theory lesson with year 10 in about thirty seconds, so I should probably pull myself together.”

“Go and be brilliant. Maybe we can celebrate later.”

“Deal.” Emma felt the warmth in that promise settle deep in her chest. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.”

And just like that, it was back to work. Emma tucked her phone away in her desk drawer and took another deep breath before heading out of the office again. No matter what the restof this day threw at her, Emma was certain of one thing. She wouldn’t stop smiling through any of it.

The house smelled faintlyof garlic and rosemary from the remnants of the roast Vanessa had made earlier. Emma had been sprawled on the couch for the last half an hour, her feet tucked under a blanket and her hair still damp from her shower after work. Vanessa, on the other hand, sat cross-legged at the other end, sipping her wine and pretending not to notice that Emma was nudging her ankle every thirty seconds.

“You’re bored,” Vanessa said as she glanced in Emma’s direction.

Emma rolled onto her side, propping her head up in her hand. “No. I’m…feeling interactive.”

“Interactive?” Vanessa arched an eyebrow. “That’s what we’re calling it?”

Emma grinned, pushing her toes against Vanessa’s thigh again. “You love it. Admit it.”

“Itolerateit.”

Emma snorted. “Liar.”

Vanessa’s eyes softened as she reached out, snagging Emma’s foot and giving it a squeeze. “Fine. I love it. But only because you look smug when you think you’re annoying me.”

“Iamsmug.” Emma stretched her legs out and rested her feet in Vanessa’s lap. “It’s my most attractive quality.”

“That’s debatable.” Vanessa’s hand skimmed lazily over Emma’s shin, inching her way over Emma’s knee and towards her inner thigh. “I can think of many other things I find far more attractive about you.”

“Finally!” Emma threw up a hand and rolled onto her back. “I thought you’d never take the hint.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. “You’ve never been backwards in coming forwards before.” Vanessa got to her knees and slowly crawled between Emma’s legs. “If you want me inside you, you only have to say.”