Emma

Part 7

Alex left the siblings after drinking her coffee. Emma was fast asleep and didn't notice her departure. Despite her willingness to help Alex with the groceries, Emma didn't want to offend Nicolas and relented to his insistence that she stay with him. He took her back to her friend's house so she could get ready for the evening and drove her to the restaurant at the club he regularly visited. When Alex returned home, Emma was already gone. During the afternoon, they had exchanged several messages, Emma telling Alex that she was feeling better, apologizing for not being able to be there for the shopping, and thanking her again for her support and help. She told her that she wanted to see her again soon and was happy to have some fun at the impromptu party.

That evening at the Beach Club, the mood was festive and people were already filling the room. It didn't take long for Alex to spot the group of friends who were regulars there. Emma was with them, sitting by her brother, laughing and looking at ease. Next to her, Alex recognized Rémi and frowned at once. Women liked him a lot, and he was very much accustomed to using his charms. Why was Nico leaving this Casanova with his sister? She mentally reprimanded herself. Emma was a big girl. Anyway, she seemed to enjoy the company, which stirred Alex's jealousy.

"Hey, hi!" Emma said happily as she approached.

"Hi," Alex replied laconically.

She hugged everyone before sitting down opposite Emma. Nico followed her with his eyes and immediately saw she was annoyed. He expected it, of course. He knew Rémi well and also knew what Alex thought of him and he couldn't ignore that she wouldn't like this set-up at all. But Rémi was in the parking lot of the club when they arrived and the young man had joined their group without any qualm. Emma was clearly feeling good about herself and having a great time. Nicolas saw no need to intervene and, deep down, he wanted his partner to cope with the facts of life. He'd been awfully worried about her from the beginning and as time went by, this feeling kept growing. Alex spent all her time with Emma unless she was with him, and he knew Alex was terribly hooked. As for his sister, she was smiling again thanks to his best friend, and her eyes were sparkling again. He could feel that she was slowly regaining a taste for life and that Alex was calming her down. However, a platonic relationship wouldn't be enough for his friend and he feared the day was coming fast when she'd suffer from it. Emma wasn't a lesbian. The emotions shared between the two young women certainly seemed to be strong, but it would be a very hard step to cross. The next hour passed quietly, amidst lively discussions. Initially, the music played softly and it was easy to chat and exchange. After some time, though, the room, until then great for talking, transformed into a nightclub.

Alex really tried to fit into the group's conversation. As she knew the people who were there and she was familiar with the all-pervading surfing, she could rather easily blend into the crowd. However, when the music grew louder and Rémi got closer to Emma to speak in her ear, her blood ran cold. She got up quickly and went to the bar to order a drink. Emma, who felt that Alex has shuttered despite her efforts to talk to her, followed her with her eyes. Nico had introduced her to his friends, everyone knew each other well, but Alex apparently didn't share the good mood. The young man at her side was pleasant and made her laugh. Although she found him a little insistent, he was courteous and knew his place. No need for her to be curt toward him. She looked back to the counter and smiled at Alex, who was glancing at her with a serious expression on her face and didn't smile back. Emma didn't take her eyes off while Rémi put his arm over the back of her chair and leaned to whisper something that she didn't hear. She saw Alex heading for the exit and the obvious finally hit her. She stood up, apologized to the group, and tried to catch up with her.

She called out in the parking lot, just before Alex reached her car.

"Alex! Wait!" She managed to grab her arm to halt her. "Alex, please."