Summer’s Cove

by Aurora Rey

  “I didn’t.” She hadn’t told her she wasn’t, either.

  “If she thought you weren’t coming, maybe she came looking for you.”

  “Maybe.” Darcy let that sink in. Along with the fact that Emerson asked to come back after dropping off Sara. The show was probably over by this point, but still. That’s where Emerson should want to be.

  Liam nodded. “We’ll have to ask her when she comes back.”

  “I think you should focus on getting some rest. Even if you feel better, you’re officially sick.” Liam sighed, but didn’t protest. That told Darcy all she needed to know about how worn out he was. “Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?”

  “I’m okay. Thanks, Mom.”

  “You holler if you need me.”

  “I will.”

  She bent down and kissed his forehead, relieved that he showed no signs of fever. “Good night, honey.”

  “Night.”

  Darcy shut off his light and closed his door, leaving it cracked just a little. She went to the kitchen and looked around, not entirely sure what to do with herself. She leaned against the counter and tried to wrap her head around the last few hours—being the focal point of Emerson’s show, the fact that Emerson left to find her. And then there was the image of Emerson in Liam’s bed, with Liam curled against her. It managed to be both parental and sexy. Darcy pressed her fingers to her forehead. It’s how she imagined she’d feel about her wife, if she ever had one.

  Before she could dissect that revelation, there was a soft knock at the door. Darcy opened it for Emerson and was greeted with a shy smile. “Thanks.”

  Darcy shook her head. “I should be thanking you.”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Don’t say that. You saved the day. Even if you don’t think so, Liam does.” Darcy stepped back so Emerson could enter.

  “I kept my cool. In the moment, I’m sure it felt like a lot more.”

  Darcy chuckled. “Don’t underestimate the power of keeping one’s cool.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Emerson smiled. “I’m good.”

  She started toward the sofa, but stopped; she was too nervous to sit. Darcy decided not to beat around the bush. “Why weren’t you at your show?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “That’s why I’m asking.”

  “It didn’t feel right.”

  “What do you mean? Was something wrong with how everything was set up?” From the little she’d seen, it was flawless.

  “No, not that. Everything looked great. It just…It felt like something was missing. Someone, maybe.”

  Great. She’d managed to put a damper on one of Emerson’s most important nights. “Look, I don’t want to presume anything, but if it was me, I’m sorry if I in any way ruined your—”

  “I love you, Darcy.”

  Darcy blinked a few times and tried to decide if her mind was playing tricks on her. “What?”

  “I love you. I’m in love with you. Liam, too, for that matter. And no big moment in my life feels right if you’re not part of it.”

  “I…” The words were there, but she couldn’t get them out.

  As if sensing hesitation, Emerson shook her head. “You don’t have to say anything. In fact, please don’t say anything if you aren’t sure.”

  Darcy forced herself to look into Emerson’s eyes. She did love her, and she was absolutely sure. Darcy had no idea when or how that had happened, but to deny it would be a lie. She took a deep breath. Now was not the time to be a coward. “I love you, too.”

  “Darcy, please don’t—”

  “Let me finish.”

  “Sorry.”

  Darcy smiled at Emerson’s sheepish expression. “I didn’t want to love you. Really, I didn’t want to love anyone. Too messy, too much work. And then I met you—night owl, artist, up for anything you. Nothing about you screamed ‘looking to settle down.’”

  Emerson nodded slowly. Darcy wondered whether she would agree with that assessment. “And then?”

  “And then casual dates turned into more. You kept coming around. You kept showing up for me, and for Liam.”

  Emerson smiled ruefully. “Not every time.”

  Darcy shook her head. “I was unnecessarily hard on you. I thought that would make it easier, keep good boundaries. But no matter how hard I pushed you away, you never gave up or walked away. Tonight reminded me just how much that’s true.”

  “Really, handling a sick kid is what did the trick?”

  “That. And you left your show. Oh, and there’s the matter of that painting.”

  Emerson looked alarmed. “You don’t like it?”

  “I don’t like it. I love it.” Seeing Emerson with Liam may have made the mom in her fall in love. The painting did it for her as a woman. “It’s like you’ve captured all the best parts of me and none of the bad.”

  “I painted what I see. Which isn’t to say I have some unrealistic, idealized vision of you.”

  Not idealized. If anything, Emerson saw all of her. Darcy hadn’t realized how much she wanted that, or even that it was possible. “Emerson?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you.”

  Emerson’s smile spread slowly and went all the way to her eyes. “I love you, too.”

  Darcy hadn’t given it much thought, but she imagined if she ever did say those words to a woman, it would be in some romantic setting. The beach, maybe, or even in bed. But here they were, standing in the middle of her living room, with Liam sleeping in the next room. Not romantic, perhaps, but for them, perfect.

  Darcy closed the space between them and slipped her arms around Emerson. She took a moment to absorb the feel of Emerson against her. It had only been a couple of weeks since they’d last been together, but Darcy realized it felt like an eternity. She leaned in and brushed her lips against Emerson’s. One of Emerson’s hands went to her hip, the other into her hair. Emerson took the kiss deeper, her tongue inviting Darcy into a slow exploration of one another.

  When Emerson finally pulled away, she offered Darcy a soft smile. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. I should go.”

  Darcy looked at her hands, then into Emerson’s eyes. “Or you could stay.”

  “Stay?”

  Darcy chuckled. “Not for a sexual escapade or anything.”

  Emerson ran a hand through her hair. “Of course not. I just…Liam’s here.”

  Darcy laughed again. Emerson would have to get used to the idea of sex with Liam in the house. They both would. But tonight wasn’t the time to hash that out. “I know. And he asked if you’d come back. Even though he fell asleep before you did, I’m sure he’d love to see you in the morning.”

  “I’d love to stay.”

  “Are you sure everything is okay at the gallery?”

  “Absolutely. They run it. Sometimes, the artist isn’t even there.”

  That made her feel better. “Okay.”

  Emerson nodded, but didn’t move. It meant a lot that she was waiting for Darcy to take the lead. Instead of saying anything, Darcy took her hand and led them down the hall. Emerson stood awkwardly for a moment. “Do you have a non-girly shirt I could borrow?”

  Darcy pulled out a plain gray tee. “Will this do?”

  “Perfect. Thanks.” Emerson undressed, leaving her boxers on and swapping her undershirt for the one Darcy handed her. She got into bed.

  Darcy climbed into bed as well. She shut off the light and realized that Emerson was lying rod straight, leaving a six-inch space between them. She turned onto her side. “I didn’t mean…we don’t have to not touch at all.”

  Emerson shifted and rolled toward her. “I’m totally following your lead here.”

  Darcy smiled into the darkness. “Liam usually sleeps pretty soundly, but given how he spent his evening, I don’t know.”

  “Darcy?”

  “Yeah?” She wanted Emerson to stay,
but she didn’t want it to be weird.

  Emerson put a hand on her side. “I just want to be close to you.”

  And with that, the tension melted away. Darcy moved closer and Emerson rolled onto her back. Darcy curled into the crook of her arm and slept better than she had in weeks.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Emerson woke feeling more rested and more at peace than she could remember in a long time. Ever, maybe. When Darcy stirred against her, she kissed the top of her head. “Morning.”

  Darcy lifted her head and returned the kiss, but on her lips. “Morning.”

  “I’m taking it Liam slept through the night. That’s a good sign.”

  Darcy nodded. “Agreed. I don’t know if he’s up or not. Sometimes he watches television on Saturday mornings, but just as often he reads a book.”

  “One of the million things I love about him. Why don’t we get up either way?” Emerson didn’t want to press her luck. The idea of Liam finding them in bed together seemed weird, at least until they had a chance to talk to him about being together.

  Darcy climbed out of bed. “I’ll make coffee.”

  “Should I get dressed?” Emerson looked down at the boxers and T-shirt she wore. She didn’t want to take anything for granted.

  “You’re fine. I wouldn’t have asked you to stay over if I wasn’t ready for Liam to know.”

  The matter-of-fact way Darcy said it made Emerson smile. “Okay.”

  They walked down the hall. Darcy peeked into Liam’s room, then gently closed the door. “Still conked out.”

  Darcy put coffee on and they stood in the kitchen. Emerson drummed her fingers on the counter. “I think I should talk to Liam.”

  “About what?”

  “Us. What it means for him.”

  “What are you going to say?”

  “I don’t know exactly. I mean, if you have it all set in your head, I don’t want to step on your toes, but…I feel like I owe it to him.”

  “Owe it to him?”

  “Yeah. Since he and I are friends, I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

  “Like I’m stealing you?”

  Emerson chuckled. “Not that, exactly, but sort of.”

  Darcy took a deep breath and nodded. “No, I think you’re right. I don’t usually tell him about who I’m dating, so it’s not like I’m keeping a secret. But he might feel like you are.”

  Emerson wouldn’t have put it in those words, but Darcy was exactly right. “Yes.”

  “I think you should. And I’m glad you thought of it.”

  “Thanks.”

  When the coffee was done, Emerson poured cups and Darcy led them to the living room, which was a little farther away from Liam’s room. They sat on the sofa facing one another, legs entwined. Emerson realized she wanted to wake up every day exactly like this. Which wasn’t realistic, given that Darcy had work and Liam had school. But still. They’d have occasional Saturday mornings and Darcy’s days off. And on the mornings they needed to bustle around, they’d do that. Emerson wanted it all, the whole package. She looked at Darcy. “If I sold my place, it would give us enough for a down payment on a house.”

  Darcy looked at her, wide-eyed. “What?”

  “I don’t mean tomorrow. Sorry, I was thinking out loud.”

  Darcy still looked alarmed. “You want to move in together?”

  “Um…” Emerson refused to backtrack. “Not right away. I get that it’s complicated, especially with Liam, but eventually. Yeah.”

  Darcy nodded slowly. Emerson couldn’t decide if she was mulling it over or forming an exit strategy. Eventually, she sighed. “Not in Provincetown.”

  Relief washed over Emerson and she smiled. “It doesn’t have to be in Provincetown.”

  “You don’t want to give up your place there. It’s your studio. And it’s in the middle of town. It’s perfect.”

  It was perfect, a dream come true in a lot of ways. A dream that kept her afloat during the darkest time in her life, when nothing made sense and nothing felt certain. But that dream had changed. “Buying it was about living the life I wanted instead of the life I was supposed to want.”

  “And you’re trying to tell me you’d let it go, just like that?”

  “I’d be letting it go for something better, a different version of that life. A version that includes you. And Liam.” Saying the words aloud only reinforced Emerson’s certainty that she was ready for the next phase of her life.

  Darcy let the idea of a life with Emerson sink in. If a small part of her brain screamed that it was too soon, too risky, her heart knew it was exactly what she wanted. And even if it was messy or hard sometimes, she knew in her heart it’s what Liam wanted, too. “Yes.”

  “Yes, that’s what you want, too?”

  Darcy smiled. “Yes, I want that, too.”

  Emerson’s face grew serious. “I can’t promise it will be perfect, but I’m in it for the long haul. I need you to believe that.”

  Before Darcy could respond, Liam’s door opened and he emerged, hair standing on end and wiping his eyes. She squeezed Emerson’s hand. “I do,” she whispered before turning her attention to Liam. “Hi, honey. Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah. I slept like—” His gaze landed on Emerson and he narrowed his eyes. “Did Emerson spend the night?” His tone held a mixture of excitement and suspicion.

  Emerson shot Darcy a sideways glance. Darcy locked eyes with her before turning to Liam. “She did.”

  Liam looked at Emerson, then Darcy, then Emerson again. “Cool.”

  Emerson gave her a look that said, “Was that it?” and Darcy shrugged. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starved. Can we have pancakes?”

  Emerson jumped in. “I think maybe we should go easy on your tummy. How about toast?”

  He sighed, clearly unimpressed. “Okay.”

  “And a ginger ale?” Darcy added.

  That helped. Liam smiled. “Yeah.”

  Darcy stood. “You hang out with Emerson while I make it. Emerson, do you want some toast?”

  Emerson smiled at her. “I’d love some. I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.”

  “You got it.” Darcy got up and walked to the kitchen. Because the spaces sort of flowed into each other, she could keep both an eye and an ear on the conversation.

  “Hey, Liam. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure.” He joined Emerson on the sofa, sat cross-legged and put his hands in his lap. Darcy chuckled. Even in dinosaur pajamas, he could be such a grownup.

  Emerson mirrored his pose. Her expression was so serious, Darcy wondered if she was more nervous to talk to Liam than her. She couldn’t see, perhaps, that Liam was—had been for a while—completely in love with her. Not more so than herself, but without the burden of doubts and insecurities and all the boring adult things that get in the way. “I was hoping we could talk about something.”

  “Okay.” The apprehension in his voice seemed to make Emerson even more uneasy. Darcy could have interjected, explaining that serious talks usually meant Liam was in trouble. She didn’t, wanting to give both of them the chance to work it out. Wanting, really, to see how Emerson would handle the conversation.

  “We’re buddies, right?”

  “Yeah.” Some confidence returned to his voice.

  “What about your mom? Are you buddies with her, too?”

  Liam furrowed his brow, wondering probably if it was a trick question. “She’s…my mom.”

  “So, family.”

  “Yeah.” Liam nodded. “Family.”

  “What if I said I wanted to be more like your family instead of your buddy?”

  Liam curled his lip. “Like another mom?”

  The look on Emerson’s face was priceless. Clearly, not the response she was expecting. Darcy remained quiet. She wanted to hear Emerson’s answer, too. “Not exactly. You have a special relationship with your mom. I could never duplicate that and I wouldn’t want to try. But I’d like to
be more than your friend.”

  “More how?”

  “I’d like to be around more, maybe even live with you guys. Kind of how Julien is with your dad.”

  “Awesome!” Darcy could see that Liam was jumping ahead, imagining day after day of adventure and excitement.

  “But it wouldn’t be all fun times. I still have to work. I’d be enforcing the rules, too.”

  It was fascinating to watch Liam process what Emerson was proposing. His excitement tempered, but was not lost. Darcy wouldn’t have framed the possibilities that way, but she respected Emerson for not going for the easy sell.

  “But you’d be around all the time?”

  “That’s the plan. I want to count on you and I want you to feel like you can count on me.”

  At the mention of being counted on, Liam sat up straighter. “I’d like that.”

  Darcy’s heart, already full, pressed even more insistently against her ribs.

  “I can’t promise that it will always be easy, or that you won’t get sick of me sometimes.”

  Liam nodded. So serious. “I won’t get sick of you.”

  Emerson smiled. “I’m sure you will. I’ll probably get sick of you, too.”

  Liam’s face fell and Darcy took a step toward him, ready to intervene.

  “But,” Emerson continued, “that’s part of life. We have bad days and disagreements. What I can promise is that I won’t give up on you or your mom. I’ll stick around so we can work it out.”

  Liam stole a quick glance at Darcy before looking squarely at Emerson. “I won’t give up on you, either.”

  “Even if I get on your nerves?”

  Liam hung his head and squirmed a little. He clearly didn’t want to acknowledge that Emerson might get on his nerves. “Even if we get on each other’s nerves.”

  “Good. I can get—”

  “Wait.” After interrupting, Liam looked back and forth between Emerson and Darcy. “Does this mean you guys love each other? Like kissing and stuff?”

  Emerson let out a small cough and even Darcy couldn’t suppress a smile. Darcy had no intention of answering, but Emerson shot her a pleading look. She relented. “We do.”

  Liam wrinkled his nose in the way most little boys did regarding matters of romance. When the initial shock of the revelation passed, however, he nodded. “I guess that’s cool.”