Page 36 of Resisting the Temptation (Broken Shelves #3)

Emma

I knew falling asleep in Ben’s bed was an omen or some shit that something bad was going to happen.

I spent all of yesterday worrying because for once I hadn’t had the urge to sneak out in the middle of the night. For once, I wanted to bask in the heat of another person’s body and wake up next to them.

But my heart is already too attached, and waking up to his deep morning voice, watching him go through his morning routine, knowing how he takes his coffee, and eating breakfast together like a couple would completely break me.

So I texted Kiera and asked her to pick me up. It was pure luck she was working the closing shift at the club last night and getting off at the same time I reached out, or I would’ve taken a rideshare, and I didn’t really want to do that alone at one in the morning.

Everything seemed to be fine yesterday. I thought I was just overreacting .

Until my mom called me at six this morning while I was getting ready for work to deliver the news I was anticipating but still wasn’t prepared for.

Grandpa Walter passed away in his sleep last night, the funeral will most likely be Friday. It was in his funeral plans to have the grandkids sing Nearer, My God, to Thee at the funeral, so I better come prepared to perform. Guess my six years of school choir will finally be put to use.

“And please, Emma,” Mom sighs. “Try to remember you’ll be in the presence of family. Of children.”

In other words: “Please cover your tattoos and take out your nose ring so no one knows you’re such a heathen.”

Now, I’m running late to work because I couldn’t stop crying long enough to get my makeup done.

Jordan was there to comfort me, and when I asked them if they would come with me to Utah, they cursed and apologized profusely because they have a conference in San Francisco this week they can’t get out of since they’re a key-note speaker. I felt like an asshole for forgetting that.

I assured them I’d be fine. It’s not their fault this happened. I’ve made the drive alone before, and I’ve faced my family my whole life. I’ll be fine.

Now, pulling into work, I take a deep breath and plaster on my mask as best I can. I’ll need to talk to Enzo about taking the rest of the week off, but I’m sure he’ll understand.

I just have to get through today and pretend like nothing’s wrong, then I can fall apart.