James, wearing nothing but a pair of red, satin boxer shorts, was standing behind the couch facing the bedroom when the door opened. He turned toward them when he heard them enter, scowling. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking on you,” Finn said, putting his hand to the small of Emma’s back and ushering her inside. “We brought breakfast. We figured Mandy would be hungry – and you might need a break.”
James’ furrowed his brow, confused. “A break from what?”
“Yelling at Mandy,” Finn said. “How hard did you give it to her this morning?”
James cocked an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “What makes you think I gave it to her this morning?”
“Because you … you know … freaked out, man,” Finn said. “I figured you let her get a good night’s sleep, and then completely unloaded on her this morning.”
“Huh.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not sure what to say,” James said.
“Where is she?”
“Um, she’s in the bedroom.”
“Is she still alive?” Finn asked.
“Last time I checked.”
“What are you doing out here? Getting some space?”
“Kind of,” James said, glancing over at Emma. “You can put that bag down on the counter.”
Emma did as instructed, glancing around the apartment. It was small, but comfortable. She could totally see James and Mandy curling up on the couch and cuddling together – even if he was acting really odd right now.
The door to the bedroom swung open, and Emma’s eyebrows nearly shot off her forehead when Mandy flounced out. She didn’t look like she’d been crying – or been subjected to a particularly rough night. In fact, if her red push-up bra, matching panties, and crimson garter belt were any indication – Mandy and James hadn’t been fighting at all.
“I thought you were coming to rescue me,” Mandy said, pouting. She clearly hadn’t seen Emma and Finn yet.
“Nice hat,” Finn said.
Mandy stilled, tipping the plastic fireman’s hat back so she could see past the brim. “Ah, crap.”
She shuffled behind James, pressing the front of her body against his back so she could hide her current clothing situation. James moved his arms behind him, holding Mandy still so she was hidden.
“What are they doing here?”
“What are you doing?” Finn asked. “I thought for sure you two would be screaming at each other.”
“We had a talk this morning,” James said. “There was no screaming.”
“There was a little screaming,” Mandy said. “I might have deserved it.”
“Might?” James prodded.
“Okay, I definitely deserved it,” Mandy conceded.
“And now?” Finn pressed.
“Now we’re making up,” James said.
Mandy tilted her head, looking around James’ shoulder so she could see further into the room. “Is that breakfast I smell?”
“We thought you might be hungry,” Emma offered lamely.
James sighed. “You want the breakfast, don’t you?”
“Kind of,” Mandy admitted.
“Fine.” James turned to Emma. “Could you walk into the bathroom – it’s right over there – and grab the robe hanging on the back of the door for her?”
Emma nodded mutely, retrieving the robe and handing it to Mandy – a sheepish frown on her face. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Mandy said, shrugging into the robe. “Your heart was in the right place.”
She cinched the robe around her waist and took a step away from James. “What did you bring me to eat?”
“Eggs, hash browns, bacon, and toast,” Emma said, still avoiding eye contact. “Finn insisted on buying you tomato juice, too.”
“Score.” Mandy moved around James, who reached out long enough to pluck the plastic hat from her head.
The smile James sent Emma was small and tight. “Thanks for the breakfast,” he said. “I really do appreciate it.”
“You don’t look like you appreciate it,” Finn said.
“I would have appreciated it better in an hour.”
Finn shrugged. “Live and learn.”
Emma’s eyes were focused on Mandy. “Does that robe have a fin on the back? Is that supposed to be a shark?”
James smiled widely. “She’s a geek. What can I say?”
Fifteen
“So, other than playing fireman, what were you two going to do today?” Finn asked. The four of them were sitting around the dining room table eating, conversation nearly non-existent.