“Several actually. It’s hard to juggle them all, but if I want to make partner someday, I have to burn the midnight oil.”

“The corporate world can be cutthroat, that’s for sure,” Emory interjected.

“I do okay.” James turned to her.

“I’m sure you do.”

James eyed Emory and Emory eyed James until finally Sarah couldn’t take it anymore. Clearly picking up on the tension, Carmen swooped in and saved the day. “Emory, we haven’t met yet. I’m Carmen, Sarah’s best friend and, might I add, closest confidant,” she said, emphasizing the words. “She tells me everything. I’m thrilled to finally meet you.”

Emory beamed. “Thank you. I’ve been anxious to meet you too. Sarah tells me that you two have quite a history.”

“You can’t even imagine.”

“Sarah,” her mother interrupted. “Why don’t you introduce James to your brothers, and maybe later he can meet Grace.” She shot her a not so subtle wink, which Sarah refused to return. Sarah looked apologetically at Emory, who stared back at her blankly. Feeling caught and unsure how to proceed, she begrudgingly gave in to the pressure.

“Sure. Follow me, James.” She walked James across the yard, and when they were out of earshot, tugged on his sleeve bringing them to a halt. Yes, they were in the middle of the yard, and yes, people were watching them, Emory included, but she had to figure out this situation and quick. “James, I just need to be clear. I’m seeing someone else. I thought you understood that.”

“I do and I respect it entirely, but it doesn’t mean I’ve completely given up on you forever. We’re still friends, right?”

Sarah softened. “Yes, but that’s all it can be. I just want to be sure we’re on the same page.”

“We are, beautiful.”

She closed her eyes momentarily in frustration. “See, right there, that’s what I’m talking about.”

“The fact that I called you beautiful?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. If it makes you uncomfortable, it will never happen again.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Unless you want it to.”

“James.”

Over the next ten minutes, she introduced him to all the same people she’d introduced Emory to. There seemed to be a markedly different reaction to James. At the mention of his name, her friends and loved ones lit up, a sign that they’d been prepped by her mother well in advance about who he was and his potential place in Sarah’s life. In response, he was universally given the careful attention she’d hoped they’d show Emory. It was disheartening and entirely counterproductive to what she’d hoped to accomplish that day.

Leaving James to continue his in-depth discussion on drafting techniques with Robert, Sarah located Emory across the yard, who much to her horror was standing with her mother and cousin Martin, the creepy funeral director. Realizing that her mother was already in matchmaker mode and a rescue mission was now necessary, she wasted no time. Sliding up next to Emory, she briefly squeezed her hand. She needed to explain things, and now was as good a time as any. “Can I borrow you for a sec?”

Emory turned to her with immense amounts of gratitude in her eyes. “Sure. Excuse me, Martin. Maybe we can finish the uh, embalming story later.”

Sarah led Emory back into the house and down the short hallway. “Where are we going?” Emory asked.

“Shhh.” She quickly pulled Emory into the small hallway bathroom, closed the door, and locked it. As she turned around, Emory offered a plastic smile and it didn’t escape Sarah that she stood about as far away as the tiny bathroom would allow.

“Let me explain.”

“There’s no need. I know you didn’t invite him.”

Sarah closed the distance between them and tucked a strand of hair behind Emory’s ear. “All the same, I’m sorry.”

“I know.” But Emory didn’t seem convinced.

“It bothers you. I can tell.”

Emory stared past Sarah at a stack of decorative hand towels. “It’s just been a while since I’ve had to hide who I was. I don’t like how it feels. Your parents are very excited about the prospect of you and James, and I get to watch that play out. It’s…less than fun.”

“I know, trust me, I know. I guess I just wanted to finesse this for them a little bit. Parcel out information slowly. I know my family, and it will be better if I can ease them into the idea of you and me.” She let her hands drop from Emory’s shoulders where they’d rested. “I’m sorry. I feel like I’m screwing this whole thing up.”

Emory tilted her head and met Sarah’s eyes. It was clear she was softening. “Sarah, look at me.”

She did.

“So it’s not the easiest of days. Let’s just try and get through it. The fact that James is here just caught me off guard and complicated an already touchy situation for me. But I’d rather not focus on that. I’d rather focus on you, which is all I tend to do lately anyway.”

Sarah let the comment settle and took a step in. She slid her hands onto Emory’s hips and rubbed her abdomen with her thumbs. “In that case, I should probably confess that I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since you walked in the door.”

A shy smile crept across Emory’s face. “You have?”

“Mhmm. You have the most kissable mouth I’ve ever seen.” Sarah placed a hand behind Emory’s head and guided her in. The kiss was just as electric as Sarah knew it would be, hungry and fast with no buildup required. Easing Emory’s body up against the door, Sarah melded against it, moaning quietly into Emory’s mouth as their tongues danced. In a stroke of fantastic timing, there was a knock on the door. Damn it all.

They froze.

Sarah pulled her mouth away and listened. Please God, let them leave.

“Hello in there? Everything okay?” Oh no, it was her elderly aunt Sofia. Sarah felt like a deer in front of an eighteen-wheeler as Emory tried unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh. She placed a much-needed hand over Emory’s mouth but couldn’t help smiling herself as she leaned into Emory’s ear. “That’s my great-aunt Sofia. She’s eighty-nine years old. We’re going to have to make a break for it, but I think we can take her. Follow my lead.” Emory nodded wordlessly and followed Sarah out of the bathroom. As they emerged, Aunt Sofia’s eyes drifted suspiciously from one of them to the other.

“Sara, is everything okay? You were inside of the bathroom for a long time.”

“My friend was just helping me…with a problem.”

“Are you all right, mija? Should I get your mama?”

“I’m fine. I just needed Emory’s uh, expertise for a minute. She was able to help a lot.” Emory smiled and nodded emphatically. They made their way silently through the living room and then exploded into laughter once they landed outside.

Her mother smiled along with them. “What’s so funny, you two?”

Sarah deadpanned. “Long story.”

“Well, you’re just in time for dinner. Sarah, I have a seat for you down here with me, and, Emory, Martin has saved a seat for you next to him.” She offered her second conspiratorial wink of the afternoon, this time at Emory.

Sarah looked down the long table and the expanse of distance between her predetermined seat and Emory’s. And then there was the fact that her chair was coincidentally next to James’s. Just perfect. “Mama, I think Emory and I would rather sit—”

“It’s fine, Sarah, really,” Emory interjected, feeling the need to smooth things over. It wasn’t entirely fine, but she didn’t want to make waves on her first meeting with Sarah’s family. She could hold her own against Martin and his grisly tales from the crypt for an hour or so. Luckily, Carmen was seated across the table from her, which might give her some reprieve.

Unfortunately, dinner was nonetheless excruciating. She watched from afar as James flirted mercilessly with Sarah while her parents made over him like he was their long-lost son. By the end of it all, she was mentally exhausted and ready to make a quick exit. She thanked Mr. and Mrs. Matamoros, wished Robert a happy birthday, offered Sarah’s shoulder a squeeze, and headed for the door.