Page 35 of Fate In Fiction

“Should I let you two go back to your room and we can reschedule?” Her stance is strong as she pulls her sunglasses to the bottom of her nose. “I can find my own cardio elsewhere.”

“Stella.” Emmett holds out his hand with a charming grin. “Nice to officially meet you. I’m looking forward to spending time outside of this building.” He glances my way with an all-knowing grin. “And exploring other noises Aspen can make besides the ones I pull from Josie.” I couldn’t ask for a better performance from him. Thank goodness, my sunglasses cover my bulging eyes as I imagine what he’s capable of.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Stella laughs and pulls him in for a hug instead of returning the handshake. “I’m so happy for Josie Posie.”

“Only Stella can call me that, by the way.” I point my finger directly at him, and he mimics the attempt I made the other night to bite it.

“You’re the boss.” Emmett laughs, then leads us toward his car that he never tends to park in valet. “Let’s head to that mountain you keep talking about. What’s it called again?” He opens mine and Stella’s side of the door before getting into the driver’s seat.

“Maroon Bells.” I roll my eyes. “You definitely work too much to not remember a main tourist site. I’m also not a fan of tolerating tourist crowds if I’m not being paid for it.” I know Saturdays are chaotic during peak months here.

“Then name your price, little darlin’,” he says with a coy smirk.

“You know exactly how to pay up.” I keep a seductive rasp in my voice, taking me by surprise, but giving Stella the confirmation she needs.

“Still here, guys,” she pipes up with a laugh. “Josie, we can go to Crater Lake instead. It’s a bit more of a hike, but not as busy, and from what I’ve heard…” The implication in her voice rises. “Emmett’s stamina shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Crater Lake, it is.” I clear my throat and keep my head forward. Emmett’s gaze screams to get my attention as we begin to drive, but I keep my eyes on the road.

“So, Stella.” Emmett reaches over, lacing his hand with mine in our first real hand hold, and I wish they didn’t fit together this perfectly. He peeks in the review mirror to glance at her. “Do you stay in Aspen for summers or full time?”

“I don’t have a place to call home. I go where the modeling jobs take me, mostly.” I never saw much of Stella in the summers during our grade school years. “My father is producing a movie in San Diego right now, so I enjoy seeing him for lunch once a week.”

“It sounds like you and your father are pretty close?” Emmett asks.

“I guess. I mean, I’d say I am closer to mine than Josie is with her father.” The grip holding my fingers tightens as Emmett wants to ask deeper questions, but can’t risk blowing our cover.

“What Stella means is that our dads work long hours, but Stella’s father at least reaches out with texts to check up on her.” I keep my tone casual, as if stating the obvious. His grip on my hand adjusts as his thumb rubs back and forth on the palm of my hand. The soothing sensation tingles right through my stomach and travels up between my legs.

“What’s funny is how I am the one who seems to have so-called daddy issues, while Josie has always been particular or secretive with who she has interest for.” Stella leans forward, as if fishing for answers. “Her dating you blew my fucking mind.”

“Hey, my past choices have been very public. I can’t lie there.” Emmett almost sounds ashamed. There’re still so many layers as to why he only shaped up his act as of recently. My heart aches to help him. “I’m so thankful Josie took a chance on me. I’m gonna fight like hell to not blow it.”

“I hope so. Her last boyfriend, if we can even call him that, was so boring.” My stomach tenses with her not knowing the entire reason we broke up. The same reason my parents won’t give me the chance to speak it out loud. Emmett’s fingertips push into the back of my hand as he applies more pressure into circling my palm. Would it be terrible to let his hand slip into my pants and have his thumb circle something else later? Thank goodness, he didn’t take my hand the other night during our drive because we probably would have obliterated all rules by now.

“I’m full of surprises. Right, Josie?”

“That you are, Rookie.” I mimic the innuendo in his voice as he pulls into the parking lot, and we follow the trail to Crater Lake for the next hour and a half. The beautiful greenery and clear blue sky calm my nerves about hanging out with Emmett and Stella together. Thankfully, the three of us are too lost in the beauty of nature and our thoughts than to keep a conversation going.

“Damn, I need to get out of the office more and have you show me around.” Emmett shakes his head as we stand surrounded by the three picture-perfect mountain peaks and the glassed lake. “This air is so refreshing. Thank you for this, Josie.” He takes a deep breath, turning to me with show-stopping admiration. My hands reach out to hold his.

“You’re very welcome.” Emmett steps into me, nearly connecting our chests. My head tilt up instinctively, waiting for him to put on a show for Stella with his lips and I’m in this moment too deep to be able to stop him. He’s the only one wearing sunglasses, and I’m hoping my eyes scream not to kiss me, even though my breath becomes more erratic with each passing second. This could be his moment to make a move for watchful eyes.

“Awe, you guys, this would be a super cute photo!” Stella pulls out her phone, thankfully breaking our moment. “Give me an aesthetic couple pose.”

“Stella, we aren’t posting on social media.” My heartbeat races to my throat because I don’t need our relationship to go viral this soon, and I know how many people idolize her online.

“Relax, I can text it you as a cute memory,” Stella encourages as I drop Emmet’s hands. I love book photography, but of myself? I don’t see the point.

“Stel, you know I don’t like being in photos.”

“I beg to differ with the ones you sent the other day when I worked late,” Emmett taunts, and it takes everything in me to not try to push this tall solid man into the lake.

“Emmett!” I say, louder than intended. “That is the last time you’ll get any text from me.”

“It’s not like you write them properly enough so I can read them.” I playfully smack his chest as both his hands grab my wrists, holding them against his firm chest. Sweet baby Jesus. When does he find the time to maintain this body?

“Whatever.” He drops my hands, and I find air.