Apartment 17B ◈

Twenty-seven

LUKE

I woke up to the same view I have been waking up to all week; Emma half naked next to me in my bed. It had to be one of my favorite views in life. I ran my fingers up and down her bare back like I had done every morning this week and she woke up with a smile on her face. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Good morning," Emma rolled over and rested her head on my chest. My hand subconsciously went to her and I ran my fingers through her knotted hair. "What are we going to do today?"

"Ashton's New Years Eve party. Remember?"

She nodded her head. "I know that. What are we going to do all day until then?"

"This?" I suggested, referring to laying in bed all day, tangled up in each other.

"I'm okay with that," Emma giggled and sat up, pulling the blankets with her so her naked chest wasn't exposed to me. Even though I had seen her naked multiple times now. She looked at me with a smile and looked away.

"What?" I laughed.

"I, uh, I've been thinking..." Emma scratched the top of her head and looked at me.

"About?"

"Us."

My eyes snapped up at her and I sat up straight. "What, uh, what about us?"

"I really..." Emma started to talk, but then stopped. She seemed nervous and her nervousness made me instantly nervous and anxious.

"You really what?"

"I... I want to be with you, Luke."

My eyes widened and a smile snuck its way onto my face. "Be with me? Like... be in a relationship with me?" Emma nodded her head silently. She wasn't smiling and she didn't look as excited as I was. That made me frown. "What's wrong?"

"I'm scared, Luke. I don't want to get hurt again."

I sighed with a frown on my face and took her hand in my mine.

"I'm never going to hurt you, Emma," I assured her but she didn't look assured. "Emma... I'm fucking crazy about you, okay? I would never in a million years hurt you. I'm not Michael or any of your other shitty ex-boyfriends you've had before. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Emma."

Slowly but surely a smile appeared on Emma's face and she nodded her head.

"I'm a handful, you know that right?" Emma reminded me with a laugh.

"I do know that," I gripped her arm and pulled her body closer to mine. I planted a kiss on her plump lips and sighed in content. I've wanted this for so long "But that's why I've got two hands."

"So what now?"

"Now, Emma," I took her chin in my hand and turned her face to mine. "Will you, officially, be my girlfriend?"

"Yes Luke," Emma frantically nodded her head and planted kisses all over my face until she finally landed on my lips.

The bedroom door swung open and there stood Ashton. I groaned into Emma's neck, not happy that we can't have one moment of fucking peace, and she tried to stifle her laugh, but failed. I'm pretty sure Ashton heard it but ignored it. He wasn't phased that he almost saw Emma's naked body or that he walked in on us while we were having a moment.

"Can I help you, Ashton?" I asked in the most passive aggressive tone possible.

"You're supposed to help me set up for the party," Ashton groaned and plopped down on the edge of my bed. He noticed the smiles on our faces and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you two so happy looking?"