Emily’s fingers lingered on Lucas’ stubbled cheek as she leaned in for a final kiss. His lips were warm and familiar, tasting faintly of coffee and toothpaste.
“Good luck today,” she murmured, pulling back to meet his piercing blue gaze. “I’m sure it’ll go great with your son.”
Lucas gave a small smile, but Emily caught the flicker of nervousness in his eyes. She squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“Thanks, baby. I hope you’re right.” He cleared his throat. “Have fun with Sophia. Try not to talk about me too much,” he added with a wink.
Emily rolled her eyes, fighting a grin. “As if. We have way more interesting things to discuss.”
As she turned to leave, Lucas playfully swatted her ass. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
Emily flipped him off over her shoulder, her laughter floating back as she headed to her car. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of salt from the nearby coast. She inhaled deeply, feeling oddly light despite the lack of sleep.
‘God, I hope it goes well for him,’ she thought as she slid behind the wheel. For all his confidence, this was uncharted territory.
Emily: On my way. Mimosas and rubbish TV?
Sophia: Hell yes. I’ll grab the OJ.
Emily grinned, pulling out of Lucas’ driveway. A day of lounging and laughing with her best friend was exactly what she needed. And if she happened to gush a bit about Lucas… Well, what were friends for?
Emily barely had time to knock before the door flew open, revealing Sophia’s beaming face. Her auburn curls were piled haphazardly atop her head, and she brandished two dangerously full cocktail glasses.
“About fucking time!” Sophia exclaimed, thrusting a violently pink concoction into Emily’s hand. “I was starting to think Lucas had chained you to the bed or something.”
Emily snorted, stepping inside. “Jesus, Soph. It’s barely noon.”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere, darling,” Sophia sing-songed, kicking the door shut. “Besides, we’re celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?” Emily asked, eyebrow raised as she took a cautious sip. The drink was sweet, strong, and oddly refreshing.
Sophia’s grin turned wicked. “The fact that my best friend is getting properly fucked on the regular, of course.”
Emily choked on her drink, torn between laughter and mortification. “Christ, Sophia! You’re impossible.”
“That’s why you love me,” Sophia replied cheerfully, flopping onto the couch. “Now spill. How was the sex-a-thon last night?”
Emily sank into the armchair, shaking her head. “You’re worse than a teenager, I swear.”
But even as she rolled her eyes, warmth bloomed in her chest. This easy banter, the unconditional acceptance it was exactly what she needed.
“Come on,” Sophia wheedled. “Give me something. I’m living vicariously through you, remember?”
Emily laughed, taking another sip of her drink. “Fine. It was… pretty fucking amazing.”
Sophia leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Details, woman! I want the juicy bits.”
Emily groaned, covering her face with her free hand. “What is this, high school? I’m not giving you a play-by-play of my sex life.”
“Spoilsport,” Sophia pouted, before her expression turned sly. “Fine, how about yes or no questions? Did he do that thing with his tongue again?”
“Oh my god,” Emily muttered, feeling her cheeks heat. She took a long swallow of her drink, wincing at the burn. “Yes, okay? Yes, he did.”
Sophia whooped, nearly spilling her cocktail. “I knew it! God, I need to find me a man who can do that.”
Emily snorted, relaxing into the chair despite herself. “What you need is to get laid, full stop. When’s the last time you had a decent shag?”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Sophia groaned dramatically. “It’s been so long, I think my virginity grew back.”
Emily burst out laughing, the tension of the past week finally melting away. This was exactly what she needed her best friend, ridiculous drinks, and absolutely no filter.
“Alright,” she said, draining her glass. “You get three more questions. Choose wisely.”
Sophia’s eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
“Question one,” Sophia grins. “What’s the weirdest thing you two have done?”
Emily rolls her eyes. “What are you classing as ‘weird’?”
Sophia tapped her chin thoughtfully, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes. “I don’t know… Okay, fine, I’ll come back to that question. Question number two: Has he ever tied you up? Last time you said just your hands.”
Emily choked on her drink, sputtering and coughing as Sophia cackled gleefully. “Jesus Christ, Soph!” she gasped, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her mind flashed to the silk scarves hidden in Lucas’ bedside drawer, and she felt heat creep up her neck.
“That’s not a no,” Sophia sing-songed, leaning forward eagerly.
Emily rolled her eyes, fighting a grin. “Fine. Yes, he has. Happy now?”
“Ecstatic,” Sophia grinned, bouncing in her seat. “Alright, last question.”
Sophia’s brow furrowed in concentration, and Emily braced herself for whatever wild thing her friend might come up with next. The pause stretched on, filled only by the soft clinking of ice in their glasses.
Finally, Sophia’s expression softened. “Okay, serious one. Are you happy, Em? Like, really happy?”
The question caught Emily off guard, and she felt a lump form in her throat. She thought about Lucas’ smile, the way he held her at night, how he made her laugh even on her worst days.
“Yeah,” she said softly, surprised by the certainty in her voice. “Yeah, I really am.”
Sophia’s eyes widened, a mix of joy and concern flickering across her face. “Em, that’s… that’s amazing. But why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
Emily let out a shaky breath, her fingers tightening around her glass. “I… I almost told him I love him yesterday,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Holy shit,” Sophia breathed, leaning forward. “But you didn’t? Why not?”
Emily’s gaze dropped to the swirling liquid in her glass, watching the ice cubes dance as she tilted it. “Because the logical part of my brain is screaming that it’s too soon,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration. “But the emotional part? Fuck, Soph, I fell. And I fell hard.”
Sophia reached out, squeezing Emily’s knee. “Hey, look at me,” she said gently.
Emily lifted her eyes, meeting her friend’s warm gaze.
“There’s no timeline for this stuff, Em,” Sophia said, her voice soft but firm. “If you feel it, you feel it. After everything you’ve been through, don’t you think you deserve to just… let yourself be happy?”
Emily felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “But what if-”
“What if nothing,” Sophia cut her off, her tone brooking no argument. “Lucas isn’t Ryan. You know that. Stop letting that asshole’s ghost haunt what could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
Emily gave a small, trembling smile. “It’s easier said than done,” she murmured, her voice catching. She took another sip of her drink, letting the burn of alcohol steady her nerves.
Sophia’s eyes softened, understanding etched in every line of her face. “I know, babe. Trust me, I know.” She leaned back, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear. “But you deserve to be happy, Em. And let’s face it – Lucas makes you happier than I’ve seen you in years.”
Emily’s heart clenched at the truth in those words. She closed her eyes, remembering the way Lucas had held her last night, his strong arms a sanctuary from the world. The tender kiss he’d pressed to her forehead before she left this morning. The warmth that bloomed in her chest every time he called her “baby girl.”
“You’re right,” she whispered, opening her eyes to meet Sophia’s gaze. “He does make me happy. Ridiculously, stupidly happy.”
“So what are you afraid of?” Sophia pressed gently.
Emily’s fingers tightened around her glass. “Losing it all,” she admitted, the words tasting like ash on her tongue. “What if I let myself fall completely, and then it all goes to shit?”
Sophia reached out, prying the glass from Emily’s white-knuckled grip and setting it aside. “Then you pick yourself up and try again,” she said firmly. “But Em, what if it doesn’t? What if this is it?”
Emily’s breath caught in her throat at the possibility. Her mind raced with images of a future with Lucas – lazy Sunday mornings, passionate nights, building a life together. The thought both thrilled and terrified her.
Sophia leaned forward, her hazel eyes intense. “You gave me advice once, Em, and that’s that you miss all the shots you don’t take. You’ll regret it if you don’t take this shot.”
Emily groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Fuck’s sake, Soph. Stop using my own advice against me.” She peeked through her fingers, seeing Sophia’s smug grin. “That’s just not fair.”
“All’s fair in love and war, babe,” Sophia quipped, tossing a throw pillow at Emily’s head.
Emily caught it, hugging it to her chest as she flopped back on the couch. “You’re a menace, you know that?” she grumbled, but there was no real heat behind her words.
“Yep, and that’s why you love me,” Sophia chirped, reaching for the bottle to top up their glasses. “Now, are you going to tell that sexy silver fox how you feel, or do I need to lock you two in a room until you sort your shit out?”
Emily snorted, picturing Sophia trying to manhandle Lucas into a closet. “God, no. I’ll… I’ll tell him. Soon.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Maybe after he’s back from meeting his son. I don’t want to pile on too much at once, you know?”
Sophia nodded, understanding in her eyes. “That’s fair. Just don’t wait too long, Em. Life’s too short for what-ifs.”
Emily raised her glass in a mock toast. “To no more what-ifs,” she said, her voice only slightly shaky. As she took a sip, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She was terrified, yes, but also… excited. Ready to take that leap of faith.
Emily savoured the sweet, bubbly mimosa, letting it wash away some of her lingering anxiety. She reached for a piece of chocolate, the rich cocoa melting on her tongue as she contemplated their plans for the day.
“So,” Sophia drawled, sprawling across the armchair with catlike grace. “Shopping centre. Yes or no? Because I’m torn between shopping and staying in to watch trashy reality TV all day.”
Emily snorted, rolling her eyes. “God, don’t tempt me. But…” She bit her lip, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I kind of want to hit up Victoria’s Secret. Maybe surprise Lucas with something… special when I see him tomorrow.”
Sophia’s eyebrows shot up, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Ooh, someone’s feeling frisky. Alright, sold. Shopping it is.” She glanced at their empty glasses. “Though maybe I should drive. How many of those have you had?”
“Uh…” Emily counted silently, then winced. “Three? Four? Definitely over the limit.”
“Amateur,” Sophia teased, standing up and stretching. “Come on, lightweight. Let’s go find you something that’ll make your silver fox’s jaw hit the floor.”
As Emily hauled herself off the couch, she felt a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation bubbling in her chest. She was taking steps maybe small ones, but steps nonetheless towards embracing this new chapter in her life. And damn if she wasn’t going to look good doing it.