In His Wildest Dreams
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Emma sighed. Where the heck was their waitress? She needed a malted now. “Sorry if I bit your head off. I didn’t sleep well. Talk about midnight escapades.”
Brenda leaned forward with interest. “Do tell.”
She didn’t get it at first, and then Emma realized her friend wanted to hear about her dreams. To Emma’s utter amazement, she almost physically recoiled. The thought of sharing last night’s walk on the wild side made her want to run and hide.
Brenda laughed. “Not so easy, is it?”
“It’s not that…”
“Yes?”
Bless Callie’s heart. The waitress appeared at the perfect time to take their order. As usual, Brenda was indecisive and had to ask for a description of every special. Emma welcomed the brief respite.
She was genuinely startled by her own reluctance to share her dream. Reluctance heck, abhorrence was more accurate. Of course the dream did involve Nick and Brenda might misunderstand. Emma herself still hadn’t figured out what her inner voice was trying to tell her. But nor had she tried too hard to figure it out.
The dream was still so real in her head that she could almost feel Nick’s hands on her skin, palming her breasts, rubbing her nipples, sucking them. Their session today was going to be a nightmare. She’d have to force herself to concentrate and not drift back to last night’s subconscious frolicking.
She came out of her preoccupation just in time to give her order to Callie.
And meet Brenda’s expectant gaze. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“You were going to tell me about your dream.”
“Actually, I was going to tell you why I couldn’t. I don’t remember most of it.”
“Emma Snow, I can scarcely believe it, but you’re lying through your teeth.”
“I am not.” It was a little scary how indignant she could get when Brenda was right. Emma was lying through her teeth all right, and she’d hang on to the lie till her dying breath.
Brenda toyed with her straw, a worried frown drawing her brows together. “I hope this isn’t about Nick.”
“Don’t be silly.” Emma gasped when her friend tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You finally bought them.”
“What? Oh…” Brenda touched the diamond stud on her right ear. It had to be at least a carat. “I was still saving up for the suckers. Nick bought them for me. I found the jeweler’s box in my desk drawer after he left the other evening.”
“Wow!”
“I shouldn’t have mentioned I wanted them. He’s always doing things like that.”
“Interesting.”
“You look doubtful.” A sisterly defensiveness rose in Brenda’s eyes. “I told you he’s a nice guy.”
“I’m sure he is,” Emma said lightly.
“Do me a favor and don’t mention the earrings. He’s funny about that. He never gives a gift outright. He tucks it away somewhere for you to find, and then acts like he doesn’t know anything about it. It’s weird, almost like he’s embarrassed.”
Emma smiled. She wouldn’t have guessed that about him. “That’s actually kind of sweet.”
“Don’t be foolish and fall for him. I mean it, Em.” Brenda shook her head, her eyes concerned. “I love my brother but his idea of a serious commitment is staying the night.”
“Fall for Nick?” Emma laughed. “I’d sooner eat chocolate-covered grasshoppers.”
“THANKS FOR THE EARRINGS.”
Nick finished drying the hood of his ‘55 Chevy before he turned around. “What earrings?”
Brenda gave him an indulgent smile as she entered the garage and sidestepped the assortment of chrome polishes and car washes he’d left on the ground. “They’re exactly what I wanted.”
He shrugged and shook out the rag. “They aren’t from me.”
“Then I won’t bother to insure them. They’re probably fake.”
He slid her a sidelong glance. “I begged Mom and Dad to get a puppy instead of a sister. But no, they had to hatch something they could put in frilly pink dresses.”
“The luckiest day of your life was the day I was born, admit it.”
“In your dreams.” Oh, hell. He glanced at his watch. He had to shower and shave soon, so he could meet the Doc by four-thirty. “What did you want, Pipsqueak?”
“Nothing. I figured I’d stop by to see how things were going with you and Emma.”
He discarded the rag and frowned, disappointed more than annoyed. “Doc told you.”
“Huh?”
“What do I care?” Shrugging it off, he picked up one of the polishes and studied the label.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She snatched the can out of his hand. “Quit ignoring me.”
“I’m not. I have to finish this up before my appointment with Doc this afternoon.”
Brenda frowned. “Why are you seeing a—” The confusion lifted from her face. “You mean Emma.”
He poured some of the grayish-blue liquid onto the torn piece of burgundy towel. “She’s not going to be happy with last night’s installment.”
“Your dream?”
He nodded and started on the hood. Man, this baby could still shine.
“She didn’t tell me anything, you know.”
Sliding her a glance, he kept polishing. “Wouldn’t matter if she did. I didn’t tell her anything I wouldn’t tell you.” He smiled at the thought. “Theoretically speaking, of course.”
“Yeah, but the point is, she didn’t and wouldn’t discuss any session she had with you or anyone else. She’s not like that.”
He gave her a challenging grin. “How is she?”