Emma stood in front of the bathroom door, wondering why she suddenly felt so shy about stepping out. Was it embarrassment? Or was it just the aftertaste of vulnerability?
Taking a quiet breath, she finally pushed the door open. Her eyes landed on Jayden's shirt from earlier, crumpled on the bed. Without overthinking it, she slipped it on.
Jayden was already sprawled across the bed, lying flat on his stomach with his legs stretched out and his head turned away from her. He looked completely at ease, like the weight of the night had finally melted off him.
Emma climbed into bed carefully, but the moment she settled down, Jayden shifted. He rolled onto his side and fixed his eyes on her.
"Don't keep your distance," he murmured, lifting his arm slightly in invitation.
For a second, Emma froze. Part of her still felt unsure, shy even. But the warmth in his eyes pulled her in. Slowly, she slid closer, resting her head against his chest. His arm wrapped around her instantly, holding her like she belonged there.
She let out a soft breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Wrapped up against him, with his heartbeat steady beneath her ear, she finally felt herself relax.
For the first time that night, the chaos in her head quieted and somehow, she didn't feel nervous again.
Emma slowly opened her eyes, letting out a soft groan. She felt good, too good and she knew exactly why.
Rolling over, she reached for Jayden, only to find the space beside her empty.
"Jay?" she called, sitting up, but the room stayed silent.
She slipped off the bed, walked across the room, and pushed open the bathroom door. Empty, her brows furrowed. She stepped back out, calling again, a little louder this time.
Frowning a little, she stepped out into the hallway. The first place her mind went to was the trophy room. She tried the handle, but it didn't budge, it was locked.
"Jayden?" she tried again, a little louder this time, but still no reply.
She made her way downstairs, the house too quiet for her liking, until she reached the dining area. A box of pizza sat waiting on the table. It was already opened, with a few slices missing.
Emma smiled to herself when she lifted the lid. She picked up a slice, bit into it, and immediately noticed how cold it was. He must have ordered it a while ago.
She wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge only to find it nearly empty, just rows of bottled water lined neatly inside. She closed the door with a little laugh, and that's when her eyes caught the folded sheet of paper pinned down by a key on the counter.
Emma picked it up, and began to read as she absently took another bite of pizza.
Here's a key for you.
Emma's lips curved into a smile as her eyes lingered on the words. She kept reading.
So sorry you had to wake up without me. Something came up, and you looked too cute in your sleep, I couldn't bring myself to wake you. I ordered pizza.
A laugh escaped her lips, soft but loud enough to fill the empty kitchen.
You can stick around as long as you want. I left Ben's number on the back... he'll drive you home.
The note was signed neatly at the bottom: Jayden.
Emma flipped the paper over.
Sure enough, there was a phone number scribbled down. She laughed when she saw the little extra scribble.
Call him thirty minutes earlier, that's how long it takes him to get here.
Emma set the paper back on the counter, twirling the key in her fingers. She couldn't stop smiling, her cheeks practically aching from it.
Emma sat in the front seat of the sports car while Ben, Jayden's driver, drove her home.
Her phone buzzed and she saw her mom's name flashing on the screen. She hesitated. Emma wasn't ready to lie about her whereabouts as she wasn't even anywhere near home yet. But when the call came through a second time, then a third, she sighed and finally picked up.
"Hey, Mom," Emma said quickly.
"Where did you keep your phone, young woman?" her mom complained.
"I'm sorry," Emma replied softly.
"Where are you?" her mom pressed.
"What's up?" Emma tried to deflect.
"Are you coming home or not? Your dad and I are leaving for the airport now, he has a meeting in Ohio."
Emma bit her lip. "I went to get something with Mandy. We're on our way back now."
"Be fast," her mom said, then ended the call.
"Can you go any faster?" she asked Ben, watching the road anxiously.
"Yes, ma'am," Ben replied, pressing harder on the accelerator.
They were still about twenty minutes away.
When they finally neared her street, Emma asked Ben to park a few houses before hers. Her phone rang again. She picked it up immediately.
"I'm here, Mom, I'm here," Emma said before her mom could say much.
"Don't you want to see us before we leave?" her mom asked, but Emma had already ended the call.
She thanked Ben for the ride, slipped out quickly, and spotted Mandy standing outside waiting, just like she had texted her to.
Emma ran over and hugged her tightly.
"Guess what?" Emma blurted out, grinning.
"What?" Mandy asked.
"You're supposed to guess, not ask," Emma teased, pulling out a small key and dangling it in front of her.
Mandy's eyes widened. "Don't tell me... is it what I think it is."
Emma smirked. "Well, what do you think it is?"
"Just tell me already," Mandy said, almost whining.
Emma's grin grew wider. "He gave me a key. The key to his apartment."
Both girls squealed, holding hands as they jumped excitedly.
"So... what's it between you guys now?" Mandy asked.
Emma only smiled shyly.
"Well... we're taking things slow," she said softly, her eyes sparkling.
"I'm happy for you my love," Mandy said warmly.
Just then, the front door of Emma's house swung open.
"Emmy! Get your ass in here, now!" her mom's voice boomed. She disappeared back inside without waiting for a response.
"I have to go," Emma whispered hurriedly. "I told her we were on our way back from getting something." She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
"I'll be upstairs," Mandy said, grinning as she walked towards her own house.
Emma slipped inside and found her mom waiting in the living room.
"Hey, Mama," she said, hugging her from behind.
Her mom smiled and rubbed her hand over Emma's.
"We'll be gone two days, three at most," she said.
"What for?"
"Work. Your dad's closing a deal with a tech company. Hopefully it goes well."
"It will," Emma said, giving her mom a reassuring smile.
"Thanks, baby," her mom replied, but she kept staring at Emma with a knowing expression.
"What?" Emma asked, shifting uncomfortably.
Her mom hesitated, then smirked. "We just haven't... you know... had sex in three weeks. But yesterday, it was heaven."
"Mom!" Emma groaned. "I told you I don't want to hear about your sex life."
Her mom ignored her. "Well, after the meeting, everyone had brunch, there was wine, and we got a little tipsy. On the ride home, your dad couldn't keep his hands off me. And when we got back, he asked and I quote 'Wanna have sex?'"
Emma buried her face in her hands. "Oh, God."
Her mom giggled like a teenager. "We literally did it in every corner of the house," she whispered, poking Emma playfully in the chest.
Emma snapped her head up. "Please tell me you stayed out of my room."
"It was good..." her mom seconded.
"Mom please can you just let me breathe" Emma asked with a groan as she sat on the couch
"Oh, we started right on that couch" her mom muttered under her breath, still grinning.
"Ugh, I hate you," Emma groaned, disgust written all over her face. She jumped off the couch and shook her head. "I'm going to bed."
Emma stormed off toward the stairs. "You're impossible!" she shouted, and her mom just laughed.