Free Emily Calls It (The Emily Series) by Laura Albright. Page A

I’m glad she was with you. Too many guys around here, you know?”
    “Um, hello? I’m right here. I can take care of myself.” I looked from Ethan to Joel, touched by their protectiveness even though it was a little annoying.
    “Are you two ready to go?” I asked Allison.
    “Yeah, you ready , Sis?” O f course Ethan had to answer . I nodded and turned to Joel to say good night.
    “You heading out too, Joel?” Ethan beat me to it.
    “Yeah.” Joel handed me my shoes and got up dusting off the back of his shorts. He gave me his hand to help me up and I think I saw a tiny smile from Ethan. I dusted off my dress, and fell in line behind Ethan and Allison. As we walked, Joel and I exchanged several silly little smiles, trying to conceal them from Ethan. I don’t know if we were successful, but it was fun.
    When we reached the cars, I remembered I was wearing Joel’s sweatshirt and reached to pull it off.
    “Thank you. I hope you weren’t too cold,” I said .
    “Not at all, Em’ly.” He took a step back and directed his attention to all of us. “Y’all have a nice night.”
    “You too. Good night.” I said as I dipped behind the seat into the back of my brother’s car. The silent looks between Ethan and Joel, Ethan and me, then Ethan and Allison, were priceless. I chuckled to myself.
     

TEN
    The Contenders
     
     
    Morning came too early. I woke up on time, but clung to my pillow for a minute. Then I remembered the building I was working on at the office and I sprang up and hopped in the shower, excited about the day ahead. I was sure everyone would be talking about the success of the benefit, and if the past few weeks were any indication, no one would have noticed or even cared that Colin and I spent the evening dancing together.
    As I washed my hair, I took a quick inv entory of my summer so far. I’ d met three really great guys – scratch that – four, and I wondered what I was going to do about it. I started my summer off in despair, thinking I should just be alone to figure things out. But I really didn’t have to be alone, did I? Ah, the question that always seemed to plague me. To be alone or not? To me “alone” equals lonely, and I didn’t like that idea. But, as I stepped out of the shower, I still felt the weight of Graham. I wondered how long that was going to last.
    On my way out the door, I noticed the light on my answering machine blinking. I didn’t remember hearing the phone ring. I pressed play and heard Trish’s voice. I hadn’t seen or heard from her since that day at the beach before I left to go home.
    “Emily, I’m back. You and I have a ton of catching up to do. How about dinner?” It sounded great. I picked up the phone knowing it was early, but Trish pointed out ages ago that she was a morning person. So, what the heck. She answered on the first ring.
    “Totally.” Was all I had to say, and she knew it was me.
    “So, tonight at Knorwood’s, at eight?” she suggested.
    “I’ll see you then. And Trish, thanks for calling.” I felt bad that I hadn’t called her, and I did really miss her. I made another mental note to concentrate more on my friends and less on my Graham misery.
    Work went by quickly. I ate lunch at my desk, continuing to be completely engrossed in my project. There was little talk about the benefit. Either that or I just didn’t notice because I was concentrating on my project. I didn’t see Colin at all. As I cleaned up my desk before I left, I realized I wished I had.
    “Emily?” I looked up, startled that I hadn’t heard anyone approach. Sharon had a roll of drawings in her hand and moved around my chair smoothing them out on my desk. I watched intently, wondering what project it was. “Colin’s gone to the Bay Area office to help with the final push on the Levi building. He suggested you help with the elevations of this project.” She turned the sheet revealing half-completed elevations.
    “I’d be happy to. Who should I talk to