After All(80)

"Guess we'll have to snuggle," Emmett says with a grin as he starts putting his stuff away in the drawers. "We can do that now because we like each other."

"You're such a dork," I tell him. Then I gesture to his unpacking. "And what is this? You're unpacking? We're only here for three nights."

He gives me an odd look. "You're an office manager, I thought you'd be all about organization."

"Only in other people's lives, not my own."

"Ah yes, I forget you like things a bit messy."

"I can't tell if that's innuendo anymore."

"Baby, everything with me is innuendo," he says. "Including having a little snack before dinner."

He then grabs my arm and pulls me over to the bed, throwing me down on it.

I giggle as I sink into the mattress and he prowls over me. He runs the tip of his finger down the middle of my forehead, over my nose, my lips, my chin, down my neck, all the way to my chest.

"You could at least close the door," Jackie says and I look over to see her and Will in the doorway, staring at us with absolutely no shame.

"Emmett's an actor, dear," Will tells her. "They're all exhibitionists." Then he jerks his chin at Emmett. "Help with dinner, will you? Let the girls relax."

"I was going to help Alyssa relax in my own way," Emmett tells him, but with a grunt, he rolls off of me and strolls out into the kitchen, adjusting his pants as he goes.

I sigh and get up, following close behind.

"Sorry," Jackie says, not sounding sorry at all. "Thank god our bedrooms aren't right next to each other."

I'm not sure if she's saying that for my sake or for hers but either way I have to agree.

While Emmett and Will get started on the steaks, Jackie and I scoop up all the materials we need for epic smores and head out down to the dock to start the fire.

"You're going to ruin your dinner!" Will yells out the window at us.

"You won't stop me if you know what's best for you!" Jackie yells back. As she settles into the Adirondack chair, she gives me a triumphant smile. "He knows not to mess with me when it comes to food. I'm not even craving strange things, it's just that when I do have a craving, I turn into a relentless she-beast until I get it."

I smile at that as I start up the fire, not exactly sure what I'm doing. Thankfully it catches easily and soon I'm sitting back in the chair across from Jackie and cracking open a tall, cold can of local cider. The sky is now completely dark and clear, a scattering of stars popping out above us.

I look over my shoulder at the cabin and see Will and Emmett inside in the kitchen, drinking beer and laughing about something. My heart does cartwheels inside my chest.

"What do you think they're talking about?" I ask her, watching as Emmett runs his hand through his beautiful hair. I'm so fucking in love with his face.

"You," she says emphatically.

"Will's probably talking about you and the baby," I point out, turning back around in my seat to face her.

"Nah," she says with a shrug. "They're talking about you. There's a reason that Will asked Emmett to help him in there. He's been complaining that he hasn't gotten the chance yet to properly grill him about you. You've been hogging up all of his time."


      ///
       
         
       
        

"Well we both know that's part of our contract."

"Ah yes," she says. "The contract. I still can't believe that's an actual thing that happens."

"I know," I tell her and open the bag of marshmallows. "Hollywood is so weird. You know, when he was in jail and I had to call his publicist, she said that stuff like this happens all the time."

"Fake relationships?" she asks.

"Yup. Usually it happens when an actual couple breaks up, if they have to do press together, the publicist will ask them to act like they're a couple for a long time after. By the time we hear about the break-up, it's been done and dusted ages before."

"Do you usually talk to his publicist? How much of a hand does she have in all this?"

"I just called her that night. I didn't know who else to talk to, what to do." I pause. "I hate to sound like a jealous, petty bitch but I don't like her. And it's not because she's stunning and gorgeous and successful."

"No?" Jackie laughs.

"No, well of course yeah. But I can't figure out what her deal is. And I have a feeling that she and Emmett used to be together."

"Have you asked him?"

"No," I say quickly. "I don't want to be that person."