Embry nodded into Morgan’s shoulder. “I’m good. Thanks, M.”
Morgan smiled. “Anytime, you know that. Take care of you, Breebear.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Brett grabbed Embry in another big hug. “Good to see you, beauty.”
“You too. Thanks for the advice, big bro.”
He gave her one of his award-winning smiles and started toward the door where his girlfriend waited. “Just remember, guys do stupid shit all the time, but the majority of the time, it has something to do with a girl.” He winked. “Hear him out, B.”
Brett and Morgan walked out, and Embry settled back on the couch. Her head was all over the place. She was pissed at Luke, but she missed him. She was torn between hearing him out and staying as far away from him as she could. Flipping on the TV, she attempted to distract herself with late-night reruns. Even an hour of mind-numbing reality television didn’t help, so she shut off the TV, cleaned up the kitchen, and headed to bed.
Sleep wouldn’t come easy, and she knew it. Staring at the ceiling, she let her thoughts drift to Luke. He’d probably have a good explanation. It may not excuse him from lying, but somehow, she was sure he’d had good intentions, however misplaced. But then where would she be? Her anger at Luke was the only thing keeping her sane, helping her keep distance between them. If she heard him out and forgave him, then what? Brett was right—she was in an impossible situation. Was it easier to stay mad at him and ignore the feelings that kept rising to the surface?
She knew she was kidding herself. There was no ignoring Luke. The best she could do was figure out a way to coexist with him. Before she could change her mind, she grabbed her cell phone and typed out a quick text to Luke.
Okay, let’s talk.
Butterflies took up residence in her stomach as she hit send. Too nervous to wait for his response, she shut off the phone and went to sleep.
13
Embry pulled her car into Luke’s driveway and took a deep breath, trying in vain to calm her rapid heartbeat. The butterflies from last night were back and her nerves were spiraling out of control. We’re just going to talk. That’s all. She sat for a moment to gather her thoughts.
When she’d woken up, she turned on her phone to find a text from Luke asking to talk that afternoon. She suggested waiting until school on Monday since she wanted to spend as little time alone with him as possible. But he didn’t think it would be appropriate to have a conversation about their relationship at Whitman, and he was right. Since she lived closer to campus, Embry agreed to meet at his place.
Grabbing her purse, she got out of the car, and walked to the front door. She took another deep breath and rang the doorbell. There was no answer. Just as she lifted her hand to knock again, Luke swung the door open.
“Hey,” he said, out of breath.
“Hi.”
He wore distressed jeans, a tight white tee that showcased every curve of his muscles, and a worn Georgia ball cap that looked as though it’d seen better days. He looked far younger than his thirty-one years and absolutely gorgeous. “Were you waiting long?” He leaned in to kiss her cheek as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Embry froze, not knowing how to respond. She pulled in a breath, loving how he smelled, and savored his nearness. It took everything she had to back away instead of leaning into his warmth. “Not long. Just a minute.”
“Sorry about that.” He guided her through the door, his hand on the small of her back. His touch seared through the thin material of her top and set fire to her skin. He was completely oblivious to the effect he had on her. “I was pulling my rods out of the basement.”
She looked at him in confusion.
“Fishing rods,” he said hurriedly. “I thought we could go down to the dock and talk. I think better with a fishing pole in my hand.”
“Oh, um, okay.” She didn’t care where they talked. She just wanted to get it over with. After just a minute together, the sexual tension was thick between them, and Embry didn’t want to stay a minute longer than she had to.
They walked through his town home and out onto the back deck where he’d stashed two fishing poles and a small bucket of night crawlers. Luke led the way down the stairs and toward the dock in silence.
As they reached the end of the dock where two fold-out camp chairs were waiting, he looked over his shoulder and shot her a wide grin. “Have you ever been fishing before?” He was all innocence and charm.
In that moment, she couldn’t remember why she’d been upset with him. “Nope, I haven’t.”
“Want to try?” he asked, hope in his voice.
“Sure, I’ll give it a shot.” She looked into the bait bucket. “But can you, um, put the bait on?”
Luke chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll do the dirty work,” he said, giving her a wink.
She didn’t know what his game was. They were supposed to be having a talk, hashing things out. Instead, he acted as though nothing had happened. She leaned against one of the pilings and watched him bait the hook. The wind picked up, and she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Cold?” Luke asked.
“A little,” she admitted.
Reaching into the back pocket of the fold-out chair, he pulled out the Georgia sweatshirt he’d snuck over her head on the beach. “I thought you might be.”
She eyed the sweatshirt. “No funny business?”
He held his hands up in mock surrender. “No funny business. I thought you’d be cold. I don’t have any Gator sweaters lying around,” he joked.
“Thanks.” She pulled it over her head and was engulfed in him. Taking a deep breath, she lost herself in his scent.
“Here,” he said, coming up behind her and startling her. He held the fishing rod in front of her, waiting for her to grab it. “Cradle the pole in your arm like this, and use your thumb to control the spool.” He took her hand in his, positioned her fingers where he wanted them, and lightly stroked his thumb over hers.
The feel of his body against her back and the warmth of his touch was suddenly too much. She was surrounded by him. He was invading every one of her senses and putting cracks in the walls she had put back up. She was frustrated, confused. She felt so good being near him, but it hurt, too.
“Luke,” she said sharply, wiggling out of his grasp. Turning to face him, she tried to ignore the hurt on his face. “You told me if I wanted the research position, then I needed to hear you out. I’m willing to do that. I’m here. But I can’t do this.” She motioned between them. “We can’t do this.”
He propped the fishing pole against the chair, took off his hat, and ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Leaning against the railing, he gestured to the chair. “Sit. Let’s talk.”
She immediately regretted speaking up. The spell was broken, and Luke’s demeanor had changed. She wanted nothing more than for him to wrap his arms around her again and show her how to fish. But as much it hurt to lose what could have been, a relationship wasn’t worth risking their futures. She sat down, and he stared out at the bay. Knowing how hard the conversation would be, Embry sat patiently, giving Luke time to gather his thoughts.
He turned toward her, his apprehension palpable. “Where should I start?”
“At the beginning. Tell me why you lied.”
“Short version or long?” He laughed nervously, grabbing at his neck.
She eyed him, waiting for a serious answer.
He let out a breath and settled in the chair beside her. “Because I didn’t want to lose you.”