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Something odd pulses in my chest as we talk, at the way Emily is speaking to me. It feels strange having her be so…honest. So vulnerable and transparent with me about what’s going on in her mind.
Part of me thinks it’s wonderful, but at the same time, I can’t help comparing it to Melody. To the way she could never seem to be real with me, something I only noticed later in our marriage. She didn’t talk to me. Didn’t share the important things on her mind.
Having Emily be in that space with me, having her trust me with those stories and her emotions when I’ve given her no reason so far to do so…it’s incredible.
And a little too much.
Which is why I default to a joke to push us out of this tension-laden moment.
“I don’t mind when you put me in my place, though,” I tell her. “Melody used to do it all the time, and over the past few months, my head has maybe gotten a bit too big and full of itself.”
Her lips tilt up at that. “Well, I’m always happy to put you in your place. You know that pretty well already.”
I nibble on the inside of my cheek and fight to keep my eyes off that tiny scar on her lip. The one I want to kiss more and more with each passing day.
Clearing my throat, I step to the side so I’m in the doorway.
“I also wanted to make sure you know you don’t have to hide in here when you’re not working. I think you mentioned the Keifers had you in a separate studio, so all that space was yours. But here, I want to make sure you know you can spend time in the living room, in the yard.” I pause. “In the kitchen, making tea in the middle of the night.”
She blushes.
“Well, I’m not hiding up here,” she corrects me, “but thank you. For letting me know.”
I nod. “Alright, well, I’ll be downstairs watching baseball if you want to join me.”
Emily gives me a soft grin. “Maybe I will.”
Thirty minutes later, dressed in flannel pajama pants and a loose Navy shirt, Emily strides into the kitchen and makes herself a bowl of popcorn then plops down opposite me on the couch.
She sets the bowl between us on the middle cushion and flicks a single piece at me.
I shake my head, though I can’t help but smile at the same time.
chapter twelve
emily
The next day, Colton brings up Teddy’s bed and nighttime routine to me. I knew this was something he wanted my assistance in addressing, but I didn’t want to take the lead because I wasn’t entirely certain what Colton was wanting from me.
“I’m honestly feeling just a little…lost,” he tells me, his voice low as Teddy sits a few feet away in his chair eating breakfast. “I think I saw something online about changing the room to make it feel fun? But that’s all I can really think of.”
I nod, my arms crossed as I think it over.
“Well, every kid will be different. Why don’t we just pick something you think Teddy will enjoy and go with it. Does he like surprises? Or does he want to be involved?”
“He likes to be involved,” Colton says immediately. “Definitely.”
“Alright, then how about you go together to get him a big kid bed. Hype it up for him. Tell him what a big deal it is. Have him help you pick it out and pick out all the bedding.” I shrug. “I bet he’ll be way excited to sleep in that bed tonight.”
Colton nods. “That’s actually…a great idea.”
I blow on my nails then rub them on my shirt. “I have been known to have a few good ideas in my day.”
Colton chuckles then pulls out his phone, and when I walk past him, I see he’s searching for places to buy beds for kids.
“If you want, I can clear away some space and pick things up while you’re gone. That way you don’t have to worry about it when you get home.”
He glances at me. “It’s the weekend, Emily. I want you to be able to have time to yourself and not feel obligated to do stuff just because you’re here.”
