Cozy • An Embry Story

.16

Winnie's POV

There's only a few more days till I get my car back. With it my independence, but I'm going to lose the main reason I had to talk to Embry. I'm already preparing myself for the pause in our friendship, then how it'll die off.

We're probably never going to have that second date. It was stupid of me to give in to the idea that we were even sorta dating.

Me and Embry Call? No, that was never going to happen.

Instead of looking at Paul's dad's reappearance in the Res as an obstacle, I'm choosing to look at it as good timing. It was a reminder that I was starting to relay on Embry too much, when really he was just being nice to me. Now it's time for me to focus on working again and saving up to pay back Jacob. Getting my car back is a good excuse for Embry to stop worrying about me, and soon he won't have a reason to anymore.

I'm not fifteen anymore, it's time to get over this crush on Embry Call for once and for all.

The best way to distract myself is to do what always makes me feel better. Making myself more independent, and I'm going to do that by finally learning how to cook. Not reheating diner left overs or defrosting frozen food, or only eating cold foods like cereal and salad. Actual cooking.

That's what I'm doing. Or was moments ago. Now I'm mounted on a chair under the smoke detector fanning smoke away with a magazine.

It may not have been the wiser to spend money right now, with the cost of repairs, but I bought a hotplate and a skillet online. I thought if I maybe learn quickly, I'll buy an instant pot after I pay off my repairs. Now I'm debating if I should have started with a toaster oven instead.

At least I know the detector works... Trying to get the blaring alarm to stop before it bothers Enola, I give up on the magazine and just pry the device right off the ceiling to get the batteries out. Hopping down from the chair, I open all the windows to get the smoke out and let fresh air in. The cabin is cloudy with thick gray smoke, with the burnt smell of food stinging my nose and ears.

I thought the wood burning stove was hard... looks like I am eating cold left over fries for dinner after all. Just as I'm emptying the skillet into the garbage my phone rings.

"Hey," I answer without looking.

"Hi." My heart immediately leaps at the sound of Embry's voice. It instantly makes me happy to hear. Then the realization hits that I shouldn't have answered.

"Oh, Embry. Hi." I almost drop the pan into the garbage.

"This a good time?" He asks.

"To talk?" I ask, looking around at the near fire I managed to avoid.

"No," He starts, "For something fun."

"What do you mean by fun?" His words sends a rush through me. I can't tell if it's a rush of excitement or a rush of panic.

"Okay, so I know this would be short notice. I just got off work, I'm starving and it's dinner time. If you haven't eaten yet, I could pick up some take out and hang out for a little bit?"

"You got out early." I can't help but observe. Embry usually gets overnight shifts, and the occasional early morning shift.

"Yeah, I traded with one of the guys earlier in the week. Now the rest of my shift is being covered." He explains before pausing. "So is that a yes?"

I wanted to say yes five minutes ago. But I ignored the immediate urge to agree because I should start getting use to Embry not being around.

"Are you sure? You must be tired." I try for an excuse.