Page 88 of That First Night

“Ouch,” I chuckle.

“Yeah, ouch my fucking head.” She laughs. “The correct answer is B. Because I’m supposed to know thatthatorange is the color, not the fruit.”

“Double ouch.” I laugh.

“Plus, I ran into fucking Lincoln Log earlier today when I was leaving from my overnight shift in the Emergency Room when he was bringing in some early morning drunk.”

“Logan?”

“Yes,” she sighs. “He’s been so fucking annoying since the beach house trip. I don’t understand how he’s so shocked that I’ve grown up. It’s like he can’t accept that I'm a 21-year-old now.”

“You will always be a baby in our eyes, Em.”

“I don’t want to be a baby anymore,” she huffs. “I hate that I took this new job as an aide in the Emergency room too. Because now I am constantly seeing him when he brings wackjobs in from the streets. Isn’t he up for a promotion soon to get off the streets?”

“I think so.” I shrug my shoulders. “But you’re not a baby, Em. I’m proud of the woman you have grown up to be. I’m proud of you for advancing your career and taking a step in the right direction to achieve your dream of becoming a nurse.”

“Thank you, Tommy.” She smiles at me. “Please tell Logan that. If I have to see him one more time at work with a scowl on his face and a look like he hates me, I might scream.”

“I’ll talk to him and ask him to back off.”

“Thank you. So now you understand why I needed some sushi and a quick visit to see you,” she huffs as she sinks into the chair.

“I can see that,” I say in response.

“How’s Peyton?” she asks with wiggled eyebrows.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Listen,” she chuckles. “I might not know the difference between orange the fruit and orange the color spelled on paper, but I am not dumb enough to not see that you’re in love with her.”

“I…” I pause as I rake my hand through my hair. “What do you mean?”

“I know this is probably a new feeling for you, big bro.” She laughs. “But that pounding in your chest, the sweaty palms, the constant thoughts of her and always wanting to be near her,” she pauses and gives me a soft smile. “And the smile that reaches your eyes when you see her. That’s love, Tommy.”

I return her smile as silence stretches between us. I already had a feeling I was in love with Peyton. Despite not having a clue what it is. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know what love is. I love James more than life itself. I would jump in front of a bullet for him and do whatever I needed to do to protect and care for him. I would do the same for my family. I love them and I have for my entire life.

But Peyton is a whole new kind of love I have never known or felt before. It’s crazy how someone who was once a stranger to me, is now someone I can’t picture my life without.

“Thanks, Em.” I smile at her.

“That’s what I’m here for.” She perks up. “Have you told her?”

“No,” I admit. “I’m taking her to the charity event this weekend, though, as my date.”

“Ohhh, totally swoon,” she says as she bats her eyelashes.

“Oh stop,” I laugh. “I have my assistant, Ruth, picking out a dress for her.”

“No,” she stops me.

“No?”

“No, you have to let her pick it out.” She sighs in her seat. “From a woman’s point of view here, it’s easier to go to an event where you won’t know anyone if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. I mean, Peyton seems confident. Much more confident than the first day I met her, might I add. But something tells me, she’s the type who would want to pick out a nice dress to feel comfortable in.”

“You think?”

“I know, Tommy. It would be romantic if you were picking it out, but Ruth… it loses the sentiment.”