by Nomi Summers
“Hey, I resent that remark,” she teased back. They had always loved to go to the theater, but Emma was notorious for picking the worst movies possible. Half the time they would get up and leave and go sit out by the lake to look at the sky and try to catch shooting stars. “Okay, you can pick out the movie, but nothing scary. I’ve had enough thrills for one night.”
She could feel Chase’s hand on the small of her back as they made their way inside the back door of the main house, sending a tingling sensation straight up her spine. Why was she having this reaction to Chase? It didn’t make sense. Still, there was nobody else she’d rather be spending her Saturday night with, and she was grateful for his company.
“I’ll go change so you can have your sweatshirt back. Then I’ll start the popcorn. You find us a movie,” she told him as Zeke came barreling towards them and stopped right in front of Chase. If she didn’t know better, she would swear that dog was smiling at him.
“Don’t change,” he said, bending down to pet Zeke.
“Huh?” she stopped and asked.
“I like the look of you in my sweatshirt.” He turned and flashed her a grin. “Keep it.”
Heat flushed to her cheeks and she knew they were turning red. He liked the looks of her in his sweatshirt? What was that supposed to mean? That’s the first time he’d ever made a comment towards her like that, and oddly enough, she didn’t mind it. Plus, she liked the feeling of being in his sweatshirt, especially since it carried his scent. For whatever reason, that scent was comforting to her.
Emma headed straight for the kitchen to start the popcorn so Chase wouldn’t see the flustered look on her face. She’d just put his comment out of her mind for now. He probably didn’t mean anything by it, and she was likely overthinking it. There was no way her best friend was making a pass at her.
After making homemade popcorn on the stove and drizzling it with extra butter—just how Chase liked it—she turned around to find him standing in the doorway of the kitchen, with his hands behind his back.
“Oh, you startled me!” She placed her hand over her heart and took a deep breath. “I’ve had enough excitement for one night, remember?”
“We have a little problem,” he told her, a serious look on his face.
“What’s that?” She set down the popcorn and turned to face him, awaiting his response.
“I’m afraid I’ve made a mess of the parlor. I moved all the furniture today and stripped the floors. We can’t watch a movie in there.”
“Hmm, well, the only other television in the house is in my bedroom, and I don’t—”
“Looks like it’s back to the guesthouse we go.” As he said those words, he pulled his arm around the front of his body and held up what he’d been hiding behind his back.
“What’s that?” She cocked her head to the side to get a better look at what he was holding.
“Only the best movie ever.” He moved closer to show her.
“Did you find a copy of Friday the 13th? Where did you find that old VHS?” Friday the 13th was always their favorite movie, and the only one they’d ever agreed on.
“I found it in the library. And since that old TV in the guesthouse still has a VCR hooked up to it, we can watch it back there.”
“I do love that movie. But remember, I said nothing scary?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” He gave her a wink.
Another pass? Or was he just being jovial?
“Do you think you can get that old VCR to work?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Chase, Emma, and Zeke made their way back to the guesthouse, popcorn and VHS tape in hand. Emma made herself comfortable on the couch while Chase fiddled with the VCR. It took some blowing into the old dusty thing, but somehow, he got the VHS tape to play.
He grabbed a throw blanket off the foot of the bed, and sat down beside Emma on the couch, spreading it out to cover her bare legs as well as his own. The couch in the guesthouse was small, so their arms were touching, causing a charge to pass between them. They had to be close to share the popcorn anyway, but having Emma beside him was making it hard to concentrate on the movie.
When the scary scenes would come on, Emma would turn and grab Chase’s arm. Was she doing it instinctively? Her actions were sending him mixed signals. As much as he enjoyed the idea that Emma might actually be interested in him as more than a friend, he knew better. She had a stable, successful boyfriend. What would she see in Chase? Besides, would he really want to screw up their friendship? It was a bad idea, and why was he having these thoughts about Emma, anyway? He spent the entire movie fixated on Emma’s actions instead of the movie, and by the time it had ended, he was more distraught than ever.
As the credits began to roll up the screen, he looked over and noticed Emma had laid her head back and drifted to sleep. He didn’t want to wake her, and he sure didn’t want to send her back into Hemlock House after the scare she’d had earlier followed by a horror movie on top of it, so he rose to his feet and scooped her up. He’d place her in his bed, and he would sleep on the couch. It was the gentlemanly thing to do.
Just as he lifted her up and swung around to walk toward the couch, her eyes drifted open.
“What’s going on?” she asked through sleepy eyes, her face only inches from his. The only light in the dark room was the glow coming off the TV. It illuminated her features perfectly and he had an overwhelming desire to lean down and kiss her. He’d have to fight the urge with everything he had, because she looked like an angel in his arms, and felt so natural there. It was as if she were meant to be there all along.
He took a deep breath. It would take every ounce of restraint he had in him to keep himself from placing his lips on hers. But as badly as he wanted it, he wouldn’t do it. He wasn’t good enough for Emma, and he wasn’t willing to ruin their friendship to find out if he was the only one feeling something happening between them.
“Shh, go back to sleep. I’m putting you to bed,” she heard Chase whisper softly. Emma looked up at his face, so ruggedly handsome and just inches from her own. She could feel his strong arms cradling her body, and she wondered if he was going to kiss her. He’d stopped walking, and he was holding her in the middle of the room, staring down at her. They locked eyes for a moment, before his eyes made their way to her lips. Now she was sure he was preparing to kiss her, and oddly enough, she wanted it. She was ready for it, like she’d been waiting for it her entire life.
Slowly, she closed her eyes, as if to grant him permission. The warmth of his arms, the anticipation of the moment—it sent an influx of yearning through her body, and she parted her lips in anticipation.
A softness met her body beneath her. She opened her eyes to discover Chase had placed her gently on his bed. He turned to grab the blanket from the couch to cover her, while a mix of disappointment and humiliation consumed her. What had come over her? What made her think Chase actually wanted to kiss her?
More importantly, was she really hoping to kiss her best friend?
Chapter 8
The next morning, Emma woke early. She looked over and found Chase sound asleep on the couch. She got up quietly and motioned for Zeke to follow as she opened the guesthouse door slowly, as not to wake him.
Once inside the main house, she put on a pot of coffee and headed upstairs for a hot shower. She needed to clear her head. The fact that she’d almost kissed her best friend last night was still ringing loudly in her head. Or was she just imagining things? No, she was sure of it; he had almost kissed her. So, what had happened to make him change his mind? Perhaps it was a moment of weakness. They couldn’t go down that road—no way. Not with Chase leaving again, especially. But more importantly, she didn’t want to ruin their friendship now that they’d reunited. She wasn’t willing to lose him. She also wasn’t willing to get too close to him this time around because she knew Chase, and from the sound of his stories, he didn’t stay anywhere long. Plus, it had hurt too bad to lo
se him last time. She needed to keep him at arm’s length.
By the time she had finished her shower and got dressed, she had decided no more late night movies in the dark guesthouse with Chase. They’d have to be more careful about the situations they put themselves in. But still, if he was just a friend, why was the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her body still lingering? Or the way she’d craved his kiss when their lips had been only inches apart? Or the way she’d stayed up half the night because his scent clinging to his sweatshirt was driving her crazy, in the best way possible.
“Em?” she heard Chase call out from downstairs. What was he doing there already? She took a final glance in the mirror. Why did she care what she looked like? They were just going to pick out paint. She never was one for much makeup—she didn’t need it—but she grabbed the mascara and applied a thin coat on her dark lashes, and dabbed a touch of gloss to her lips. Giving her long waves a quick tousle, she decided she was ready to face Chase and headed for the stairs where he was waiting at the bottom.
“What are you doing here already? I figured you were still sleeping,” she asked from the top of the stairs.
“I heard you leave, and I got up and showered. I figured we’d get an early start because Hunter is having a barbecue today. I was hoping you’d come with me after we get back from the city.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I should really get some work done around here today.” As badly as she wanted to spend the day with him, it was probably not a good idea while these feelings were stirring inside of her. She needed to keep their time together to a minimum.
“Em, it’s Sunday, and you only get one day off per week. How about a little fun?” He smiled as she began to make her descent. “Besides, I’ll take care of everything around here. That’s my job.”
She liked the thought of that. It felt good to have someone helping her take care of things for a change. Not that she needed it. She had managed to take care of herself since her parents passed, and she was doing just fine, but she didn’t mind having him around, and she loved that he was handy and enjoyed working on the house.
A sharp pain in her pointer finger ripped her from her thoughts. “Ouch!” she yelled out, looking down to realize she’d finally gotten that inevitable splinter from the railing.
“What happened?” Chase made his way up the stairs to meet her, concern in his eyes.
“I got a splinter. This dang railing …”
“Let me see.” He met her on the middle step and took her hand in his as he inspected her finger. The smell of a freshly showered man hit her nose, causing her knees to weaken.
“Do you have any tweezers?” he asked.
“In my bathroom.”
“Come with me.” He held her hand and guided her upstairs.
Inside the master bathroom, she pulled tweezers from the drawer and handed them to him. “Be gentle,” she said, looking up at him. Facing her, he took a step towards her, not breaking her gaze, and placed his hands on her hips. He’s going to kiss me for sure this time.
There was a hungry look in his eyes that she’d never noticed before—one she wasn’t used to seeing from him. His grip tightened on her waist as he lifted her up. This time, the feeling of his hands on her hips sparked electricity in her body. He placed her down gently on the vanity counter and took a step closer. Here it comes. Why was she having this reaction again? She’d just decided she wouldn’t entertain these newfound feelings for Chase. And here she was, longing for him to take her in his arms and place his lips on hers. Just like she’d wanted the night before.
Chase looked down at her hand, breaking the chemistry happening between their eyes. He turned her hand over and slowly picked at the sliver in her finger with the forceps. She closed her eyes, not because it was painful, but because the sight of Chase only inches from her face was causing her pulse to quicken, and she was sure he could hear her heart pounding in her chest.
“There you go,” he said, stepping back to show Emma the piece of wood captured on the end of the tweezers. She opened her eyes and locked with Chase’s. “All better,” he said, looking at her with the sexiest of grins on his face. He held out his hand to help her down off the counter, and when she placed her hand in his, another surge passed between them.
She was sure now, something was developing between them. The only question remaining—was he feeling it, too?
Chase and Emma made their way toward the city in her old pickup truck. The ride was long, and Emma was quiet over in the passenger seat. What was on her mind? When he wasn’t consumed with thoughts about what Emma was thinking, their evening kept replaying over and over in his head—the way she’d felt so natural in his arms, the way she’d closed her eyes and parted her lips when he’d almost kissed her. Was it just a coincidence? Or was it possible she’d wanted the kiss just as badly as he had?
Then this morning, he’d almost kissed her again in her bathroom. Had she noticed? No, she couldn’t have known he was two seconds away from tossing the tweezers aside and scooping her off the counter into his arms, taking her mouth in his.
What had come over him? He had started to develop these feelings for her in high school, but those feelings paled in comparison to the emotions he was experiencing now. He’d have to get a grip and regain his composure. She had a boyfriend, and she wasn’t interested in him like that. He would never be good enough for her. He was no Aaron Reynolds.
“I love this time of year,” she finally said, breaking the silence between them.
“Why’s that?” he asked, relieved that she had initiated the conversation.
“The leaves are starting to get a hint of color. Fall is just around the corner.”
“Yeah, I’ve always loved it as well. Especially in this area. There’s no place more beautiful to experience fall than Northern Michigan.”
“You would know,” she said under her breath, but he had heard her. He’d just ignore that comment for now. Somehow, he had to diminish this tension that had formed between them, not amplify it.
“Hey, I have an idea,” he looked over at her.
“What’s that?” she asked, still staring out the side window.
“Do you think Gandy’s Cider Mill has opened for the season?”
“I’m sure it has. They always open in early September.”
“Wanna go?”
She turned to face him, and he could see she had a glimmer of excitement in her eyes now. “I could go for some cider and donuts,” she agreed. They had loved driving out there once Chase had gotten his car when he’d turned sixteen. They would go every weekend in the fall until the first snow came, and then the mill would close its doors for the year.
Chase followed the long country road they were on until he saw the sign for Gandy’s Cider Mill up ahead. He turned left and the road turned to dirt, mature trees fighting to shade the sun from slipping through onto the dusty path before them. When they got to the end, the old mill greeted them. It was still early in the day, and most people were likely still in church because there were only a few cars in the lot. Great timing.
Chase parked the truck and Emma hopped out, meeting him at the front bumper. He held out his hand to her, and she looked down at it, a confused expression on her face. She paused for a moment, before placing her hand in his. He wasn’t sure why he’d held out his hand for her, but her soft hand sure felt good in his, so he clasped it until they got to the door. He held the door open for her, and inside, the aroma of fresh baked donuts, old wood, and crisp apples filled the air. Chase ordered them a small bag of cinnamon and sugar donuts, and they sipped on their hot cider while the donuts were made fresh.
Once the plump older lady behind the counter handed over the hot donuts and Chase paid, they headed out back to a picnic table next to the babbling river to enjoy their donuts and cider. Each taking a seat by the water, they sat side by side as they faced the stream before them. Not a person around, they had the back of the property to themselves.
The t
rees that bordered the river had just started to turn, and boasted hints of red, orange, and yellow. The weather was ideal—low seventies, full sunshine, not a cloud in the powder-blue sky above. The day was perfect. The moment was perfect.
Chase took a deep breath and closed his eyes to take it all in. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and the water made a melodic tune as it made its way down the river toward the mill. It was the epitome of peace being there with Emma. He could’ve stayed in that moment forever.
“This is nice,” he finally said, opening his eyes and taking a sip of his cider.
“It is,” she agreed. “It’s a gorgeous day.” She offered him a small smile, and he couldn’t help but notice how the sun shone down on her features, illuminating her natural beauty. The attraction he’d had for her the last few days since he’d returned was far stronger than anything he’d ever experienced with another woman. He was dying to know if she felt it too or if it was just one-sided. Should he tell her how he’d been feeling? She was always so easy to talk to, so why was he having trouble finding the right words?
No, he couldn’t tell her what he’d been feeling inside. The stakes were too high. If he told her his true feelings, and she didn’t feel the same, that would ruin their friendship. He couldn’t have that. It was too risky. But if he was ever going to tell her how he truly felt about her, this seemed like the perfect setting to do so.
“Chase, I have to tell you something.” Her admission pulled him from his thoughts.
Chase perked up. Was it possible she’d been having the same thoughts, sitting there? Could it be that she was feeling the exact same way, and was about to profess her love to him? He took a deep breath and held it as his pulse began to quicken. A sense of relief jolted through him as he anticipated her words. “What is it?”
