Without Me

Chapter Six: Emerson

*Before we start, I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to someone special who has been an awesome fan since day one. You make me smile :)))) Tracisek!

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I had just finished putting away his uneaten food and washing the handful of dishes when Wes came strolling back into the kitchen in a pair of swim trunks and a t-shirt.

"Grab your bag Gorgeous, I need to go shopping."

I dried my hands on a cute tea towel embroidered with a colorful outline of Michigan. "And I need my bag why?"

He grabbed an apple from the counter. "Because you're driving me obviously."

"I wasn't hired to be your chauffeur. Drive yourself."

"Well," he said walking closer. "I would love too, but I've heard it's frowned upon to drive with a suspended license."

I laughed. "Why am I not surprised."

"Because you think I'm a naughty boy who does naughty things?" He winked.

By now he was standing directly in front of me and dangling a strange key in my face.

"I'll even let you drive my car."

***

His car, as it turned out, was one of those fancy, sporty things that probably cost more than our old house. He had backed it out of the garage for me, because the thought of scratching it had nearly sent me into a panic attack, and now I was behind the wheel trying to look for the ignition without appearing like an idiot.

He reclined in the passenger seat, smirking. "Any day gorgeous."

I frowned. "I don't know where to put the key."

He leaned over and pressed a button near the steering wheel bringing the car to life. It purred and vibrated with barley suppressed energy. Holy crap. This was probably one of those cars that went zero to sixty the second you pressed the gas pedal. "Can we just take my truck? Better yet. You give me your list, and I'll just run to the store without you."

I tried to smile, but even I could tell it was more of a grimace.

He patted my knee. "And deprive myself of your company? Not going to happen. Besides-" he gently moved my right hand to the driveshaft. "-you don't seem like the type of girl to back down from a challenge."

I sighed and backed down the driveway.

"Not so bad is it."

"No," I smiled. "Not too bad. I hope you have amazing insurance though."

"Hmmm. I'm sure Mrs. Potts probably updated the insurance when I told her I was coming."

I was about to freak out on him, but realized he was laughing at me. "Ok smart aleck, very funny. Who is this Potts anyway, you've mentioned her before."

"Mary, our family manager."

"Mary? She's the one who interviewed me."

He nodded. "She takes care of anything we need for any of our properties."

"But I could have sworn her last name was something that started with an S? Not Potts."

"That's because it's not." He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Have you ever seen Beauty and the Beast?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not only was it my favorite Disney movie, I also have two little sisters."

"When I was younger, she showed me the movie and I thought she looked like Mrs. Potts. She's a little round and her white hair is always pinned back. I don't think she cared for the nickname at first, but I'm sure it grew on her."