Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection (Stark World 2.50)

Everyone turns to me. It's the kind of thing Finn would say, and definitely the kind of thing Colton would say. Something's gotten into me lately.

Matt grins at me when he's fully on deck. "Someone's in a mood."

"I don't like the Emmy game," I tell him, straight up. "It's shady."

He shakes his head at me. "We had to talk her into it, you know. Appearing on camera."

"All right," I say, skeptical. "But last night crossed a line."

"Last night?" Matt asks, confused.

Giles shifts on his feet.

"She agreed to help you, but it took some convincing to get her onscreen," Matt tells me, though my eyes are on Giles. "And she's not getting paid, if that helps. She told us we could pay her mom if we needed to put money somewhere. Think she's getting a new porch," he adds with a little shrug.

I stare at him. Finn has gone still, watching Giles, too.

"All right," Giles says, calm as can be even with all eyes on him. "Yeah, it was me yesterday. Someone saw Emmy head back to the boat and I sent Dave down. We did get some great footage on camera. He only caught you ... well, after. We don't have to decide yet how to handle it. From a production standpoint, a new relationship--with Finn's marriage and Colton's constant bed bunnies--would be great for diversifying our personal angles. But from a dude perspective? Levi," he says, smiling, "don't fuck this one up."

I'm sure they know where I can find her--but I didn't stay long enough to ask. If Emmy returned to Victoria, that would definitely suck. But I also like to think that after watching her all these years I know her well enough to know she wouldn't leave town without one last word.

Turns out Matt was giving me a clue with the porch: construction has already started, and her mom is there, directing hulking men carrying pavers to the new walkway. I see Emmy in an upstairs window, and when I call out to her, she looks at me. Even at a distance I can tell she's determined as hell.

I've seen her make this face before anything from a math test to a relay race at our school's spring festival. My heart tightens in thrill and nerves.

Emmy comes outside and makes her way toward me. "I'm busy," she says. "You need me to find you a new nurse?"

I laugh. "The leg is fine. I'm here to talk."

"Come back later."

"Later, huh?"

She watches, fighting a smile. "Mom's going out. I'll be here."

I look past her at the house facing the water, the hulking gray stone building she grew up in. It's true that it's seen some wear over the years, lashed by salt spray and wind. The porch was probably collapsing, the windows need replacing, but the structure is good. That thing will last until the earth itself falls apart.

"When are you heading back to Victoria?" I ask.

"Not sure yet."

"You don't like it there?"

"I like it there fine," she says, her jaw set. "I like it here better."

"Not as many patients to tend to," I say.

"Plenty of patients, but they're all stubborn," she says, "or big man babies."

This makes me laugh, and I reach for her, pulling her close to me. "I know you didn't set us up last night."

"You know that now," she corrects.

"I'll always admit when I'm wrong," I tell her, kissing her neck. "I'm sorry, Emmy."

She shivers under my lips, and I feel her hands as they slide up my arms and over my shoulders. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."