The Best is Yet to Come

Twenty Nine: Emma

I'm thankful that Friday's at Glory's are always slow. Not many people come into the store on Friday nights to buy books, so I was able to spend most of the day texting Noah. Glory was busy teaching Liam how to check inventory so I manned the register for the afternoon; the perfect place to sneak a text, not that I thought Glory would really care. The shift flew by quickly and I was surprised when Glory walked to the front with Liam towed behind her, ready to lock the doors for the night.

"Great work today, team!" Glory tells us as she locks up the door, the sound of jingling keys filling the silence on the empty street. I turn to look over at Liam to say goodnight but notice he's already looking at me. Caught and clearly embarrassed, he stills and quickly looks away, the tips of his ears turning pink.

"Good night, Liam. I'll see you Monday," I say and he returns the goodbye, careful not to look at me. He nods at Glory and then turns, walking towards his car parked down the street.

I hear Glory chuckle and she shakes her head, watching him walk away. "Good kid." I hear her mutter and then she turns to me. "Emma, sweetheart, I have a favor to ask you." Heading in the same direction, we walk together, side by side, on the sidewalk.

"Sure thing." I say, not too worried. She probably needs me to cover a shift.

"I need you to cover my shift," she says. I knew it. "I know you have Saturday off but there's going to be a delivery that morning and I need someone there who knows what they're doing."

I groan. I hated having to say no to people, especially my boss but I'd already promised Noah I'd attend the dinner with him.

"I'm sorry, Glory. I can't. I have a date." I say. I feel a pang in my stomach and I hope she's not too disappointed with me.

"No, shit!" She says excitedly, a smile on her face. "With who?" She adds, eagerly.

I'm confused as to why she's so happy about this.

"Noah Dean," I say, "He's invited me to a charity dinner that his mother is hosting."

Her smile is wiped from her face so fast, it's alarming.

"What?" I ask, defensively.

"Oh, Emma, Honey." She says, sadly.

"What??" I ask again, panic settling in. Was the idea of Noah and I together that horrifying?

She looks up at me with something that resembles pity and it looks like she's struggling with what to say.

"You need to be careful of that one, hun." She finally spits out.

I nod my head knowingly, "Yes, I'm aware of his reputation." I assure her. "But I'm being careful. And I think things are different for us. We've been talking non stop for about a week." I smile at the thought but Glory's expression pops my little bubble of happiness.

"What's wrong?" I ask her and she gives me a sympathetic smile.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, dear." She pats me on my arm. "And it's not Noah I'm worried about." She adds, quickly.

My brows scrunch together in confusion. "Then what is it?"

"You remember Evelyn." She prompts, eyes on the pavement.

"Yes. The candle lady." I recall, not sure what this has to do with Noah, necessarily. "She was rude, but so what? Most customers are." I say, reasonably.

Glory has on a pained face. "Just be careful, honey. There's a reason that woman gets everything she wants," She looks up at me again, "and she's very protective of her sons."

I'm not surprised at this. Most mothers were and I'm sure it only got worse after Noah's father died.

Glory continues, "I'm not sure what's true and what's gossip but I've heard some concerning stories about Evelyn and her eldest son's wife." I nearly forgot that Noah had said he had an older brother.

I still, "What do you mean?" I ask. We've reached Glory's SUV now, parked crookedly on the street. She pauses outside the passenger door.

"Let's just hope she likes you." She smiles and pats me on the arm. She walks around the hood and she's gone from my sight, the roof of her car blocking my view. "I'll see you Monday" I hear her call from the other side and watch as she gets into the vehicle.

I continue on my path towards home, soaking in this information. Glory didn't go into much detail, which scares me. I'm not sure if I should ask Noah about what Glory is talking about. Technically it's none of my business but shouldn't I know if Evelyn was crazy? I pull out my phone, texting to let Noah know I was done with work and I'd be on my way soon.

I was excited to see Noah and meet Chris. I hop up my front steps two at a time, eager to shower and get ready for what was sure to be a great night.