HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

Emma couldn’t help her smile. “Oh, are you?” she asked

“Hell yeah” he replied. He was smiling too

She didn’t want him to make her smile. but he did.

“You know…” she began. “Last night was kinda stressful, I think we would have been better off if we had just decided to spend the day in bed and resume work tomorrow.”

He stared at her, an eyebrow lifted.

She knew what she had been trying to say and he knew what she had been trying to say, but somehow her perfectly innocent statement took on a double meaning as soon as it was delivered. She saw the light in his eyes, his eyes scorching hers as she rued every thoughtless word.

And suddenly they were staring at each other and thinking only about one thing.

“I’d better go…”. She attempted a smile and tried to walk rather than run for the door, biting on her bottom lip.

And for just a fraction of a second he stalled her at the door with his answer.

“Yeah… You’d better!”

—————

“So I gotta say… Things seem to be going really well for you and Tom, Monica” Emma said as she stood in front of the mirror adjusting her dress.

She was preparing to go to a club with Monica and Karen.

“At least… Speaking from what I saw the other day when I came to his place. Do you have any idea how late we were that day… I got in trouble… And now that I think of it… It was all your fault”

“How the hell was it my fault?” Monica asked, feigning innocence.

“Keep asking me… Like you don’t know. You distracted him silly” Emma said rolling her eyes

Monica laughed. “I would say sorry… But I won’t, because honestly… I’m not”

“So… Tell us” Karen said. “What’s up with you guys… Come on… We need the gist”

“Ermmm… Speak for yourself” Emma said.

“Yeah,” Karen replied. “Like you don’t want to know”

Emma looked at them and smiled. “Actually I do… I can’t pretend about this one… So what’s up, Monica”

“Well…” Monica said. “Where to start? We spent one long, blissful weekend together.”

“And?” Karen asked

“Yeah… You are so not getting away with the Reader’s Digest version.” Emma said. “Hell… I take credit for you two… Am I a match maker or what?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“And lots of sex happened. Lots of talking happened. Some eating happened.

More sex happened. It was fun. And besides, You didn’t do much… I was the one who stepped up… Remember?” Monica asked

“Shhhhh…” Emma said, putting a finger on her lips. “Let me have my moment for fucks sake”

They stood in front of the mirror touching up their hair and makeup, and Emma gave her a look through the mirror that let her know she meant business.

“Okay, fine,” Monica said as she wrestled her hair into a new ponytail. “I will give you every detail if you want. Just the important stuff.”

What was the important stuff? The question had barely formed in her head when she had an answer. A big, all-caps answer that she totally hadn’t wanted to admit to herself. She couldn’t lie to her best friends.

“I know this is going to sound crazy,” Monica said, “But I’m totally falling for him.”

“Falling, as in, falling in love?” Karen asked

Hearing the word spoken out loud gave her butterflies, but it certainly didn’t ring false.

“I don’t know if I would go that far, but I’m definitely falling into some heavy emotions with him.”

“Wow” said Emma

“You should write greeting cards. ‘I’m falling in heavy emotions with you.” Karen said

“Don’t be a smart-ass.”Monica replied

Emma had stopped applying her mascara and gave Monica an appraising glance.

“Okay, I’ll admit that for you-the one who once wanted to be single and didn’t think she needed a man-to be confessing to heavy emotions already? It’s a big deal.” she said

“It’s scary.” said Monica

“I think it’s awesome.” Emma said

“Really?” Monica asked

“Yeah…. I’m happy that you are happy babe”

“Thanks dearie” Monica said, giving her a hug. “And thanks for your help with Tom. I really appreciate it”

“You guys want me to leave so you can make out?” Karen asked, chuckling.

“Ignore her,” Emma said to Monica, smiling.

“And did I tell you about the sex-oh mama, the sex is to die for.” Monica continued.

“Alright.. That’s all the info I need, thanks.” Emma said.

“I mean, the man eats pussy like it’s -”

“Whoa there! Lalalalalalala-I don’t want to hear any more. I’ve got to work with Tom,” Emma said. “and I would like to remain friends with both of you.”

Karen laughed. “Hey… You are the only one wanted details,” she said.

“Oh, you’re such a prude.” Monica said to Emma.

“I just think certain facts about a relationship need to remain private.” Emma replied.

“So I told you mine. Now you tell me yours.” Monica said.

“Tell you what?”

“About you and Daniel. Dummy”

Emmay sighed. “It’s pretty much the same thing… Same story. The thing is, though, I dread getting involved again, and you know why.”

“I know you’re happy without a guy, and that’s great, but why can’t you be happy with a guy, too? What’s so bad about that?” Karen asked.

“Been there, done that, sweetie. Happy quickly leads to miserable.” Emma replied.

“Maybe all those other guys were just practice for the real thing.” said Monica

“Haven’t we already had this talk?” Emma asked. “I don’t want the real thing. It’s too complicated”.

Monica blinked at Emma. “Well if that’s what makes you happy…then, I guess you should just do what you want.” she said.

She was trying to sound supportive of Emma’s choices and all, but it struck her then that Emma was trying to live a life without close ties, without emotional entanglements, for fear of getting hurt, and it wasn’t working. Her time with Daniel had given her a taste of what she was missing. Though she was doing everything to fight it.

“Well you want to know what I think?” Karen asked. “I think you are a very confused woman.”

“What?”