Page 35 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Ben

W hen I wake up the next morning, my bed is empty, and the spot where Emma was sleeping is cold.

I throw on a pair of sweatpants and check the guest room, but she’s not there either.

Her clothes aren’t on the dresser, so I can only assume she woke up sometime last night and hightailed it out of here.

I check the kitchen and living room for a note or something to give me an indication she’s okay. That we’re okay. But I find nothing.

There’s a cocktail of emotions stirring in my gut.

I’m angry that she probably got into a stranger’s car in the middle of the night so she could go home—away from me.

I’m worried she didn’t make it home and something bad happened to her.

I’m angry at myself for not being clear about her sleeping over. I’m angry at myself for breaking another one of her rules because she said she never spends the night. How could I let her go home when she was half asleep when already in the shower?

But mostly, I’m just… hurt. I’m hurt she didn’t leave a note. That she thought leaving in the middle of the fucking night was a better option than sleeping in my bed and waking up in my arms.

She told you what this was. It’s not her fault you didn’t listen.

I walk back into the bedroom when my phone buzzes on my nightstand. I check it and see a text from Josh.

Josh: Hey bro, want to grab dinner at River’s End tonight and catch up?

Ben: Sure. 6?

Josh: Sounds good. See you then!

Then, I notice I still have an unread message. I click out of Josh’s thread and find a message from Emma.

Emma: Sorry for bailing in the middle of the night. I didn’t want to wake you up. Kiera picked me up on her way home from the club. No need to worry about me !

I guess it’s good to know it wasn’t a stranger who picked her up, and she did leave me a note. But it still hurts to know she’d rather sneak out than sleep next to me.

Ben: Thanks for letting me know.

I already learned Emma has her read receipts off, so I don’t know if she reads it immediately. Still, I sit and wait for the text bubble to pop up.

It never does.

After ten more minutes of aimlessly scrolling a news website while waiting for her to text me back, I decide I’ve been pathetic enough. She’s not going to text me, and I have shit to do before dinner.

Josh is waiting for me in the waiting area of River’s End and greets me with a hug and a slap on the back.

“It’s been a while, my man! How’ve you been?”

“Pretty good. What about you?”

“Business is steady, so I can’t complain,” he says with a big grin.

Josh reminds me of a puppy. He’s very… energetic. Not to mention he’s charming as hell. He’s got a Disney prince vibe to him that just makes people trust him, I guess.

I still don’t know how he convinced me to be his friend. It probably has something to do with the fact he likes to talk, and I like to listen. He was unrelenting with his friendship in high school, and then we got partnered for doubles in tennis, and we’ve been best friends ever since.

We shared a dorm in college for the first two years, then shared an apartment with his brother during our junior and senior years. When Janessa and I moved in together after graduation, we rarely saw each other because she took up my free time.

He was there for our engagement party with a smile on his face, and then he was there with beers when Janessa and I ended things. I don’t deserve him as a friend, but I’m glad he’s here anyway.

We make small talk about our respective businesses and families while we wait for our table, then we’re led to our table by the hostess.

Josh and I sit in silence as we peruse the menus, then our waitress comes and takes our drink and food orders.

As soon as she walks away, Josh turns to me with an expectant smile on his face.

“So, how’s Emma doing?”

“Why the fuck would I know that?” Did she tell him something? How does he know about us?

Josh’s brow furrows. “Because you work with her?”

Right.

I try my best to be nonchalant with my answer. “I thought you meant in general. You know I don’t get personal with my coworkers. She’s doing good. She picked up on things pretty quickly and even landed a job with Derek Allridge. ”

“Daaaaaaamn. Way to go Emma. I knew she’d be a good fit for Rossi. I’m glad your dad took a chance on her.”

“Yeah, I guess,” I grumble.

“You two don’t get along, do you, Mr. Grumpy?” Josh teases.

“We’re fine. We’re coworkers. Nothing more.” The words taste bitter on my tongue, and I take a sip of my drink to try and wash it away.

Josh gives me an unamused look. “Really? That’s it? You’re telling me Emma—with her bubbly personality and ability to connect with everyone—hasn’t charmed you at all ?”

She’s charmed the pants right off me.

I can’t stop thinking about her.

I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her.

I shrug. “What can I say? She knows I’m a lost cause.”

Josh snorts. “I doubt she thinks that. She’s determined to make everyone feel comfortable with her—like they can trust her.

She’s probably just waiting for the right time to strike.

She’s very observant. I wouldn’t be surprised if she started showing up with your favorite coffee in tow just so she can break down your defenses and make you her friend. ”

“Why would she want to break down my defenses?”

“Emma’s gone through a lot of shit in her life.

I don’t know if you know anything about her family, but they made her feel like she’s only worth what she can do for other people.

She wants everyone to like her because she thinks it’s the only way she’s valuable to someone.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet, but she also doesn’t always know when to rest.”

I don’t tell him I know some of what her family is like. I know all about how she has nine fucking siblings, and not one of them seems to care about her. I don’t tell him her mother won’t let her say goodbye to her own grandpa.

Instead, I tell him, “Well, she’s already on Ralph’s good side, so it’s only a matter of time before she worms her way onto mine.”

Josh laughs in return and shakes his head. “Ah, good ol’ Ralph. When is he retiring?”

We spend the rest of our dinner talking about work related things, family, and Josh’s dating life while I stealthily avoid talking about mine. I know Josh views Emma as a little sister, and I don’t need him giving me a speech about breaking her heart.

Later that night, when I’m laying in bed, I think about Emma and how I’m even more determined to crumble whatever walls she’s built so I can make her mine.