A New York Secret

Chapter Thirty One

After Mary's room was packed, Emily walked back into the living room to check on Loki's progress packing up all of the books. "How're you doing?"

"I've been done for some time." Loki told Emily. He looked up at her from where he sat on the couch.

"Why didn't you say anything? We would have let you help us out." Emily walked over and sat beside him before she placed a hand on his knee.

"I figured you two wanted some time together, especially with how you were discussing my performance." Loki chuckled, amused by the gossip.

Emily quickly averted her eyes as her face and neck became bright red. "I'm sorry. I forgot about how well you can hear."

"You left the door open." Loki chuckled. "I don't mind though. I found it amusing and you did say my performance was adequate." He grinned.

"More than adequate, if I recall," Emily chuckled. "I'm still sorry."

"You don't need to be sorry. It was nice to hear something good said about me when you thought I couldn't hear." Loki said truthfully.

"I can always give you compliments when you want me to," Emily replied. "I would like for you to know how I feel."

"I love knowing how you feel. It's just been my experience that people only say nice things in front of me, never when I'm not around. It's just nice to know that what you say in front of me is also what you say away from me." Loki explained.

Emily smiled and leaned against him. "Well, I don't say anything bad unless it's well deserved."

"I hope to never do anything so deserving." Loki said softly, wrapping his arm around her. He looked up when Mary came in from the kitchen.

"The moving company won't be here for a few hours, but they don't need us here. We will need to be at the tower when they arrive though. Should we grab something to eat before we head back?" Mary asked Emily.

"We can. What're you in the mood for?" Emily asked.

"Noodles." Loki said before Mary could answer.

"I think there's a Chinese place not far from here." Mary chuckled.

Emily laughed and bumped her shoulder against Loki. "You always want noodles. We could see if he would like a buffet though?" She suggested.

"Noodles are very good." Loki chuckled.

"I think that's a great idea." Mary said, then took her phone from her pocket. "There is a buffet." She said after a few minutes.

"Close by? We could walk or get a cab if we need to," Emily said.

"It looks like it's only four blocks from here, but it's not in the direction of the tower." Mary answered.

"We could get a cab from the restaurant? Would that make it easier?" Emily asked.

"I think I can make the walk." Loki told them. "My leg isn't hurting as badly."

"As long as you feel up for it," Emily replied. "I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Did we have to go four blocks to get here?" Loki asked curiously.

"I think it was two and a half," Emily answered.

"I think I can make it there at least." Loki assured Emily.

Emily nodded and rubbed Loki's leg. "Sounds like a plan then. Are we all in agreement?"

"Sounds good to me," Mary agreed. "We can take a cab back to the tower from the buffet place."

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