Page 67 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

“That’s not the only gift. Open the bag and there’s something else in there.”

“Oh yeah? The bag is more than enough. I’ll admit though, it is nice to get an extra surprise.”

I pinch my thigh to keep it together but when he lifts the bag flap and peeks inside, I lose it.

Beckett is the only one who knows what’s inside and he’s recording this moment.

Our parents all appear confused. That changes—at least for his parents—when Spence pulls out a stuffed chihuahua with a pink collar around its neck with the name PJ on the tag.

June chuckles while Bill guffaws. “That looks just like Petunia!”

Spencer looks at me, then at his brother. “I assume PJ is short for Petunia Junior and that you helped her pick the stuffed animal out?”

“She mentioned doing this as like a small step into exposure therapy, except she had the look all wrong. I only gave her a few tips. PJ was all her idea.”

I hear my mom ask what’s going on and listen as June explains how Spencer got the scar on his eyebrow. At her laugh, Spencer reaches for Beckett’s tickets, but Beckett is too quick. “I should make you give those back.”

I smile at Spence, batting my eyes. “You don’t like the stuffy, Daredevil? She’s just so cute and at least this one won’t bite.”

When everyone falls into laughter, Spencer leans in, whispering, “You’re in for it, Shortstack. Be prepared for that sweet ass to hurt later. ”

I feel my core tighten as my stomach dips. “Give it all you’ve got, Spence.”

***

Spencer

Being able to spend Christmas and the last week with Emmy and our families has been incredible.

Our parents get along really well, which is why they’re still in town on New Year’s Eve. When they heard it was Emmy’s birthday and the night of her party, Mom insisted they stay.

Emmaline told me that we didn’t have to continue our drives.

That Chance was no longer an issue, so I didn’t need to play protector.

I agreed—only to keep her from arguing with me.

However, I got Beckett to drive me to the hospital.

It’s not that I’m worried about Chance, I just got used to picking her up after work.

It’s become our thing . Besides, it’s her birthday.

I hear her before I see her. Looking up from my phone, I watch as she laughs with a coworker before saying bye.

Emmy presses the starter button on her car and when it starts, she looks up in surprise to see me leaning against the hood.

I throw a little wave at her, accompanied by a smirk, causing her to shake her head with a smile.

“I thought I told you that you didn’t have to pick me up? I mean, you are sitting on my car which means you know I drove here,” I watch as she looks around. “Where’s your truck?”

“Beckett dropped me off. I miss playing chauffeur,” I shrug. “What can I say? Besides, it’s your birthday and I wanted to bring you a present.”

Her eyes light up as she looks at my empty hands before smirking. “Oh? If it’s in your pants, I wouldn’t quite call it a present.”

I can’t help it, I throw my head back in laughter, causing her to laugh as well. “I think you’ve been living with Mia too long. ”

“Definitely. She’s always been a fun influence. When I get my own place, I’ll miss her shenanigans.”

I school my face. “You’re planning to move out?”

“You probably think I’m crazy to do that right when my work hours are going to be cut down because of the graduate program. I just thought it’d be good for me.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy. I actually get it. Now, let’s head to Theo’s so we can countdown to the new year.”

She smiles. “Good, because I’m actually excited to get my present.”

Giving what I hope is a convincing smile, I say, “We’ll see if you like it.”

***

I’m not sure why Emmaline’s so surprised that everyone’s here for her birthday and not for New Year’s Eve.

But when she walked in to see balloons and streamers with a happy birthday banner, shock was written all over her beautiful face. After eating some pizza from Anatoli’s, we brought out her cake that Piper and Beckett made together earlier today.

It’s their take on a cinnamon roll—just in the form of a cake and honestly, the batter was delicious. Susannah and Andrew sat on each side of her, smothering her with hugs as we sang. Emmy looked embarrassed but she couldn’t stop smiling.

Later, when we’re minutes away from midnight, I get a text from Shiloh.

Shiloh

I let my journalist friend, Quinn Morgan, know about Emmaline wanting to give her story to someone and I think she’s the best person to do it. I can set it up for her if you’d like.

That would be great actually.

And she wouldn’t have to worry about it. Emmy doesn’t have anything next week.

Shiloh

Cool beans. I will call her tomorrow to set it up.

Do you think she’d rather do it in Meadow Springs?

Probably. We could do it at Blossom Brews.

Shiloh

Sounds good. I’ll let her know then send you the date and time.

Thanks.

When I catch Emmy glancing at my phone, she tries to quickly look away. Chuckling, I show her the texts. I have nothing to hide. She smiles and reads the messages.

“Thank you for setting this up for me. It would mean a lot to me if you were there when I talked to the journalist.”

“Of course, Buttercup.”

She smiles, rising up to kiss me, when we hear Mia say, “We’ve got a little over a minute until midnight people.

Grab someone to ring in the new year with.

” She looks around, zeroing in on Beckett, “Clark, don’t you dare fly off.

You’re getting a big sloppy smooch on the cheek.

I’ll let you decide which of your four cheeks I kiss. ”

His face goes impossibly red before excusing himself. Everyone chuckles when Mia goes after him. Emmy looks at me and rather than comment on her friend and my brother, I take a deep breath. “I want to ask you something, Emmy. ”

When she turns to me, the countdown begins. “I don’t like how serious you sound—and look. If you’re about to do what I think you are, I need you to know I don’t want you to ask. This is when Chance did it and I thought it was cute. Granted, I would say yes to you any other time.”

“Buttercup, I’m not asking you to marry me. However, it’s good to know you won’t say no. But what I wanted to ask you— even though I’m even more unsure of the answer to since our conversation earlier—is will you move in with me?”

Eyes wide, she doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “And not in the apartment. I found a three-bedroom house on Magnolia Cove that needs a little TLC, but I think it’s got so much potential.”

“What are you going to do with your apartment?”

“Beckett is going to take over the rental agreement. He said he needed a break from Willow Beach. It worked out perfectly. And I know you said you were thinking about moving out of your place and if you don’t want to move in with me, that’s okay.

I just know I’d love to wake up every day lying next to you. ”

With ten seconds to midnight, I grab Emmy by the waist pulling her into me. “Take as long as you need to think about it. I made you a key either way.”

She smiles, “Thank you, Daredevil.”

“Anything for you, Buttercup.”