“Hey, beautiful.” I kissed her softly. “I kinda missed you.”
“I just saw you yesterday.”
“Yeah, but you’re usually on your porch when I come home from my run, and you didn’t scream at me at two in the morning.” I smiled and leaned in, kissing her again.
“Well, you are a little annoying.” She smiled.
“Maybe if you slept in the same bed, you would both stay there longer,” Ryan piped in from his seat. “Heyyyyyy, Emmy.” He smiled.
“Hey, Ryan.” She leaned her head back and smiled at him. “I’m going to go grab my stuff. I just wanted to say hi. It smells amazing.” I watched her walk away. She high-fived Ryan as she passed by him.
“You are one lucky mother fucker, and you're welcome,” Ryan said softly. He didn't look at me; he was still looking toward Emmy. “Be glad I love ya, brother. That girl is a keeper.”
“Thanks.” I smirked. “Really, thank you.”
He grunted back, and I laughed. “It's a good thing I don't mind being a third wheel.” He stretched his arms over his head then stood, walking over to me. I handed him the plate of cooked kabobs, and he turned, walking into the house. I turned the grill off and followed him. He was already covering his plate with slaw and reached over and grabbed a couple of the kabobs.
“Is smells wonderful in here,” Emerson said as she came from the front door.
“Don't let it fool you.” Ryan sat down at the table.
She took the plate I handed her, and I watched her eat and smiled to myself every time she rolled her eyes back enjoying the shrimp.
“God this is so good!” Her bright smile made my lips pull up at the edges.
“He’s a pretty good cook. It's why I've been his friend forever. Wait till you taste his gravy. You could cover a flip flop with it, and it would be delicious,” Ryan deadpanned. We all broke out in giggles.
She pushed away from the table and went about cleaning up the kitchen.
“I can get that,” I told her.
“You cook, I clean. It was the way Rachel and I always did it.” She dipped the empty slaw bowl under the stream of water and then added a little soap.
“There's a dishwasher.” I pointed behind her.
She shook her head and continued to hand wash the few dishes that were around the sink. “I can wash them as fast as I can load them.” She smiled over her shoulder and lifted the water nozzle discreetly and sprayed Ryan as he walked by to grab a beer from the fridge.
“That was totally uncalled for.” Ryan stood with the water dripping off his face.
“That was payback for tickling me.”
“Are we even now?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Don't do it,” I said as Ryan walked up behind her shaking his beer. When he popped the top, the cold liquid spewed over the back of her neck and shoulders. She shrieked and ran toward the door laughing.
I stood, hip against the counter, as I watched him chase her out onto the porch shaking beer in her direction. The friendship they shared was special, and I knew it was because Ryan liked her. Not in a sexual way but just liked her for who she was. It was definitely not something he did often.
I handed her a towel when she walked back in the kitchen grinning from ear to ear. I pulled her to me. Our eyes met, and her smile widened. I covered her lips with mine, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. The kiss was deeper than I had intended, but with her, it was an all-in, all the time kind of thing. When I pulled away, we were both breathing a little heavier. I kissed her nose and looked up to see Ryan watching us. He saluted me then turned and walked toward the back porch.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emerson
“When did Ryan leave?” I asked Luke as we sat in one of his chairs in the backyard.
“Not too long ago. I think it may have been when the kissing started.” He kissed the side of my head and pulled me a little tighter against his chest. “He may be a little jealous.”