"Emma!"
Ashley calls happily and pulls Emma into a hug before the latter has a chance to respond.
"It is so good to see you!"
Emma pats her back reassuringly "You too."
"We never get to see you anymore" Her friend pouts once they part.
"I know, work has been crazy"
"But you're doing okay?" Ashley asks, face hopeful.
"I'm doing okay" Emma confirms with a nod, scanning the room "So... where is the birthday girl?"
"I'll go get her, wait here" she instructs, disappearing from sight.
She returns a moment later, with an adorable blonde baby placed firmly on her hip. Emma can't help the happiness that spreads over her just by looking at this little of bundle of cuteness.
"Hey, Lin. I'm Emma" she says softly, immediately adopting a baby voice. Lin examines her thoughtfully, a little frown etched her face, and then, out of the blue, pushes her body towards Emma, effectively throwing herself off her mother's arms. Ashley, used to it by now, steadies the toddler with her free arm.
"Now wait a minute, baby" she nuzzles her nose against the baby's chubby cheek, making her squirm and giggle "Let's ask Emma if she wants to pick you up." She looks at her, eyes questioning. Emma, in turn, opens her arms in an invitation.
With Lin positioned comfortably on her hip, Emma turns to look at the baby.
"Hello" she greets Lin, who in return blows raspberries at her, making her chuckle.
"Nice to meet you too" she jokes and the toddler gurgles and starts playing with her necklace.
"Isn't she a natural?"
She turns to look at Josh, watching him smile at the two of them.
"Absolutely" Ashley agrees "Do you mind if I leave her with you for a while? I've got some mingling to do."
"Sure, go ahead" and with that Ashley is gone.
"Hello to you too" she says after a bit, earning a head tilt from Josh.
"So, how are things at Mills'?"
"Good, good."
"Having fun?"
"Define fun"
She retorts and they share a laugh.
They hang together, both not really familiar with the people at the apartment. At some point Josh grabs her phone, insisting on taking a picture of her with Lin.
You have to, as the most beautiful girls here. He claims, his attention on Lin but the intention is clear nonetheless.
He offers to walk her home with that easy smile of his, and Emma finds herself agreeing before she can help it.
Emma thanks her lucky stars for scheduling a shift right after the party, knowing he would've asked to come in if not for her plans. Leaning against the closed door, Emma lets out a relieved breath. This whole Josh thing needs to be sorted out, she's well aware, but today proved how important it was, and not just for her sake, but for his as well. She's leading him on and he doesn't deserve that. Next week, she determines, and the cowardliness of that act isn't lost on her.
***
Monday came and left and so did Tuesday, and there hasn't been any sign of Regina.
YOU ARE READING
Skyline of concrete dreams- SwanQueen
Romance"The way Emma looks at it, she has two options: she could either start dating men and wait for her confusion to disappear, or she could gather up some courage and open the can of worms with the label 'girls' on it." Fresh out of foster care, Emma Sw...
