Cozy • An Embry Story

.12

Winnie's POV

I've been stalling in my bathroom so long, my skin is bone dry from how long I've been debating putting on makeup. The reflection in my bathroom mirror stares back at me, trying to convince me how my cheeks could use some color and my eyelashes are too stubby without mascara.

I've never been this nervous for Embry to pick me up.

For the last twenty minutes I've been in the middle of my cramped bathroom, with a towel knotted around me wondering if Embry would notice if I wore makeup today or if he could tell if I did something different with my hair if I took the time to curl it. I've been debating so much over it, my wet hair is mostly dry already. Sighing, I try to avoid my mirror altogether while I dry my hair. Any other morning I would have just showered and put on a clean uniform and not even cared what anyone thought.

Now, I'm wondering if I have enough time to get ready before Embry gets here.

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"You look nice." Jacob greets me when I'm halfway down the driveway. He leans against the hood of his own red car, only dressed in a pair of denim cut offs like Embry.

"Thanks," I nod, pausing. "Not to be unfriendly, but isn't Embry suppose to be here?" I ask, hoping I don't sound too rude. After spending some time with Jacob, I've genuinely come to like him. He has good taste in music and always a helping hand for anyone. He's really nice, much nicer than I originally thought of him.

"Embry is stuck at work. Poor guy got stuck working a double. He didn't want you to be stranded for work, so instead he asked me to come take you." Jacob explains with a reassuring grin.

"Oh." I try to keep a straight face, but can't help the disappointed feeling growing in the spot where my heart is. I put on makeup for nothing, even taking the time to add a braid in a half-updo, instead of leaving my hair in its usual bun as usual. "He didn't text me about it."

"It was really last minute. Like fifteen minutes ago." Jacob looks sheepish as he explains, like he's not telling me the whole story. I still don't even know what they do.

"Oh," I nod again, glancing at my phone in case I did miss a text from Embry. It's odd he didn't even warn me.

"Come on," Jacob opens the passenger door for me, waving me over. Hesitantly, I climb in with a thank you in Jacob's direction as he closes the door after me. Keeping my hands tucked under me so I don't fidget.

"Are you wearing perfume?" Jacob asks as he puts on his seatbelt next to me. "Smells nice."

"Just something to cut through the smell of food." I make up, but by the grin on Jacob's face I have a feeling he could see through my white lie.

"It smells very nice. It'll help get tips." Jacob plays along, putting the car in reverse then straightening out in one fluid motion.

"So," I struggle for a topic. I've never been very chatty. "You're up early. You sure this isn't out of your way?"

"Embry warned me you'd say that." Jacob laughs, filling up the car with the sunny sound. It's such a joyful sound it melts away any nerves left in my muscles.

"Well, it is early." I shrug, trying not to be sheepish.

"I just saw him. Poor guy is covering Paul's shift since he didn't show up. We're sure he's sleeping in. So Embry let me go home till Paul wakes up, before realizing he had to bring you to work." Jacob explains without giving any details away... such as where they work.