Page 22 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Tapping my nose, he adds, “Your little snores were pretty adorable.”

“Now, I know that June Hale raised you well enough to know you don’t comment on a lady’s snoring. I believe I’ll have to tell her the next time she’s in town.”

He dramatically clutches his chest. “Threatening to tell my mom on me again? That’s a low blow, Emmaline Agnes Jones.

” He laughs at my eye-roll at his second attempt at guessing my middle name.

“You have my sincerest apologies for ever bringing up such a thing.” He holds out his hand for me to take.

“Come on, let’s get upstairs so you can go to bed. ”

When we reach my door, I turn around, ready to tell him I had a good time, when he beats me to it.

“I had a great time with you tonight, Emmaline. I knew we’d become good friends fast. But if Chance texts or calls you again, please let me know. I want you to know that you have someone else in your corner besides the girls.”

And with that, he leans down, kisses my forehead, and tells me goodnight.

When I get inside, I see Mia passed out on the couch, drooling, with a magazine on her chest. Like a little mother hen, trying to wait up for me, I take out my phone, snap a picture, and then place a cover over her.

I walk to my room to grab my robe and head to the bathroom. I prefer a shower before bed to help me unwind. I’ve done so for as long as I can remember. The only exception is when I get too drunk and pass out without so much as cleaning off my face.

I can’t remember the last time I had such a good night that didn’t involve the girls. I would’ve brought them to the axe bar, but Mia very gently told me she wouldn’t be going anywhere near a place that allows uncoordinated people, such as myself, to throw around weapons .

Before hopping in the shower, I post the picture Spencer and I took tonight. It doesn’t matter that Chance already knows I was out with another guy, I’m posting it to make sure my point comes across.

Besides, we looked too cute together, and I can’t get over the fact that I looked genuinely happy.

***

Earlier in the week I had promised Colette I’d try to start going to yoga with her and the others again.

Which is why I’m up so early without having a drop of coffee yet. While we wait for the yoga class to start, the girls ask me how the date went. “It was actually a lot of fun! I had the best time. I mean except for when Chance started texting me and calling me names.”

“He’s the worst,” Piper replies. “And I say that as someone who’s only ever been around him twice.”

Colette glares at her stepsister. “Unhelpful, Piper Jane.”

Shaking my head at the two of them, I say, “It’s okay.

He’s definitely not great. I didn’t let him ruin my night though.

I was worried it’d be awkward—especially after I zoned out for a bit—but Spencer never let it get that way.

In fact, most of the time he just let me feel whatever I needed to and didn’t push. ”

“I’m really surprised you’re dating someone already. Not that I don’t completely support it. Spencer is a cutie. It’s just, you were so adamant about not dating anyone,” Colette states, clearly skeptical.

It’s at times like this when I wish she didn’t know me as well as Mia does. She’s like a hound and can read me like a book.

I try to think of what to say in a way that’s not a complete lie. “It’s pretty casual right now. I told Mia because she was there when I met Spencer at Edie’s Eats, but I’d first met him years ago. It’s not like we just met.”

Piper gasps. “ Shut up. Really? It’s fate. That’s the only way to spin it. ”

Mia is nodding while Colette shakes her head, and I shrug in response. Before anyone can ask for more details, I pivot to talking about their love lives.

I look to Colette in time to see her big green eyes roll.

“Online dating is still awful—shocker. I mean, I match with people who seem really interesting, we make plans, and then as soon as we meet up in person, they’re duller than dishwater.

One guy actually spent the entirety of the date talking about his stamp collection.

His stamp collection , Em. There was no indication on his profile that he was a stamp enthusiast. I honestly give up. "

There’s a chorus of groans followed quickly by laughter.

“I don’t think you should give up,” Piper tells her. “Maybe just take a break for a little while.”

Colette sighs. “I guess a break is needed.” She then looks at Piper expectantly which only causes Piper to groan.

“I went out last night with one of the customers from Blossom Brews. He’d been in a few times and last week, he asked me out. It’s a shame because he was so cute, but it was a freaking disaster. So much so that I faked a family emergency mid date.”

“Stop! Did you really?” Mia asks, as she laughs.

“Yup. To start, he looked me up and down before asking me if I really thought my outfit was appropriate for dinner. And when I was clearly offended, he played it off like a joke. That was strike one. Then he spilled the first two drinks our teenage waiter brought to us, all over the table and himself—strike two. He then proceeded to blame the waiter for overfilling his glass, not once but twice—strike three. I felt so bad for them.”

“Maybe you should have asked to see if they had any sippy cups in the back for him,” Mia adds.

“God, he really needed one. And then when the appetizer came, which happened to be a sampler platter with traditional wings, sliders, and mozzarella sticks, he dropped two different wings onto his lap and then marinara down onto his shirt.” Her hands are now covering her face when she says, “He lifted his shirt and licked it off. I repeat he licked it off . That’s strike four and five. ”

“Oh, so he needed a bib, too?” Mia says after a snort.

“I laughed it off as best as I could before excusing myself to the restroom. That’s when I called Cal and asked if he would call me five minutes later with an emergency.”

Colette starts laughing and asks, “And let me guess, he completely crushed selling the emergency?”

I catch Piper’s soft smile before she cackles.

“Oh, he really did. He even roped his roommate, Jace, into it and had him in the background yelling for help. It was so hard for me not to break. But all of my high school theater experience really came in handy because I started crying as soon as Cal began talking. I gave a half assed apology for needing to leave and then ran out of the restaurant.”

“Did you not ride with him there?” I ask.

“Nope. I learned my lesson the last time I got stuck in the city. But enough about my dating failures. Mia,” she pauses, tauntingly wiggling her brows, “do tell us who’s been warming your bed?”

She huffs. “Actually, I haven’t gone out with anyone in a while. Just been busy trying to build my work portfolio.”

“I’m pretty sure one of the last times we brought up dating, you said the same thing.” Piper points out.

“Well, building up a portfolio takes time. Besides, now I’ve got Em living with me, so I’d rather not scar her with my escapades.” She adds in that last bit with a wink thrown my way.

“As if that ever stopped you in college. Pretty sure I’m already scarred,” I joke. “But you know you don’t have to put your love life on hold because I’m living with you.”

She waves me off. “I know. It’s really not because of you. I truly am busy with work. And the last few times I’ve gone out with someone, I had this gut feeling that I shouldn’t take them home. So instead, it’s just me, myself, and Marco.”

Colette hesitantly asks, “Who is Marco?”

At the same time, I whisper shout, “Don’t.”

Mia giddily claps her hands together. “I’m so glad you asked. Marco is my powder blue vibrating dildo. He’s curved and hits all the right spots. ”

Piper cackles while Colette swats her arm, urging her to keep it down. “I truly don’t need a man right now,” Mia says with a smile. “Marco does everything I want him to do, like a good boy.”

Luckily for us, the yoga instructor walks in—ending this colorful conversation.