Emma remembers…

‘You know, I keep thinking about the first time we met,’ Emma says, unexpectedly. ‘Do you remember? That night it all started. When you drove me back to my hotel, and I started crying in the street, and you gave me the biggest hug ever…’ Her voice is wondering, almost laughing. ‘At first I couldn’t believe what was happening. I don’t know how you had the nerve to reach out and touch me, even. But you did. And somehow you knew exactly what I needed.’

You scoff quietly. ‘Crying girl needs a hug. The math there’s pretty simple.’

Emma makes an exasperated noise. ‘You know what I mean! And don’t just play it off like it was nothing. You were a perfect gentleman that night. It was like you’d stepped out of a fairytale.’

You snort, even though you’re pleased. ‘Yeah, Prince Charming with a pizza wagon. To tell you the truth, Em, I never thought you’d say yes. I was pushing my luck right out. Actually…’ You stroke her hair gently. ‘Why did you come with me that night? I always wondered.’

Emma doesn’t answer for a moment.

‘I suppose…’ She looks thoroughly uncertain. ‘To be honest, I’m not sure. I was such a mess that night. And you were so nice, and I couldn’t bear to be on my own a moment longer. But, even so… I almost didn’t.’

You smile, threading your fingers through her soft brown hair. ‘Maybe someone was watching over us.’

‘Or maybe I was just really hungry,’ Emma retorts, which makes you laugh. ‘It’s mad, though. To think that if I’d just said goodnight and gone in, you’d have driven away and that would have been the end of it.’ She smiles disbelievingly. ‘Talk about a butterfly effect.’

‘Yeah, and I’d still have all my organs,’ you tease her. Emma looks like she doesn’t know whether to laugh or tell you off. It’s one of your favorite looks. ‘At least one of us got lucky that night,’ you add, tongue in cheek.

Emma gives you a look. ‘Oh, really? I’m the one who got lucky?’ She butts your chest gently with her forehead. ‘I’d love to know what kind of ab exercises you’ve been doing that allow you to suck your own dick like that. You must have a wonderful physio.’

You laugh properly this time, almost sending Emma off the bench. ‘Damn, Emma!’ You give her a look of frank admiration. ‘Now that’s savage. Brilliant, but savage.’

Emma looks quite proud of herself. ‘Oh, shut up. You were so asking for it.’