Chills ran the length of Stefanie’s arms as she considered that possibility. Could it be that as much as he was unknowingly giving to her, she was also giving to him? Giving him the same sense of family and belonging on a more intimate level than he’d ever experienced? It was heady. It was...scary. Was she ready for something so...life changing?
Pen’s smile turned saucy, unaware of Stef’s bend of thought. “Have fun in those boots tonight.”
“Oh, I will.” Stef stabbed her credit card into the black book as she offered the expected response. In truth, Pen’s assessment had taken hold. Could there be more to come in Stef’s little marriage?
The prospect of more excited her right down to the toes of her sexy boots.
“Hello?” Stef called from Emmett’s empty, dark kitchen.
“In here.”
She stepped into the living room to find him in front of the fireplace, a beer in hand, a frown on his face.
“Everything all right?” She’d expected to come home to a trail of rose petals leading to the bedroom after his response to her text. Well, maybe not rose petals, but she’d expected him to be at least excited to see her.
“Fine.”
From a shopping bag in her hand, she pulled out a bottle of champagne. “I thought we could have a sexy evening. Sexy begins with champagne.”
She’d actually thought they’d have a romantic evening, but the adjective might be too much for Mr. Emotes Not.
“I have a beer, but thanks.”
She sighed her disappointment.
“You look beautiful.” He stood and came to her, lowering his mouth for a kiss she accepted. “Can I pour you a glass?”
“No, that’s okay. We’ll save it for brunch.” His stony expression sent an ominous shiver up her spine. “What’s wrong?”
“I spoke with Chase today.”
“Major mood killer.” She slid the champagne back into the bag and set it on the trunk coffee table.
“He doesn’t want you to be unhappy.” Emmett’s expression remained severe. “And neither do I.”
“I’m not.”
“Are you sure?” He studied her as if asking a deeper question. “Because if you’re not...you don’t have to stay married to me until your brother is reelected.”
She blinked, stunned mainly because she’d begun thinking in the opposite direction. That maybe, if he was open to it, they could remain married awhile longer. And here Stef had spent the day imagining that Emmett’s feelings were deepening for her.
Raw acceptance reflected in his eyes. “I don’t want you to leave, but if you’re ready to go...it’s okay.”
“Emmett.” She palmed his face. “I don’t want to leave.”
He exhaled, and to her it sounded as relieved as she felt.
“Besides...” What if they ended up like Penelope and Zach? What if the pretend became real and a happy life followed? Stranger things had happened. “What if we defied odds and made it? What if we stayed married, had great sex and you continued defending my honor at public gatherings?”
“What are you saying?” His expression was tortured, his jaw set.
“It’s working. That’s what I’m saying.” There had been plenty of prognosticating about this marriage—from the bloggers, from the public and from her family. She’d even caught herself wishing for a crystal ball so that she could see what lay ahead. But no one, no matter how vehemently they stated their opinion knew what the future would bring. Emmett and Stef were in charge of that.
She knew her husband on another level than “her brother’s friend.” Stef and Emmett might not have been outwardly friendly over the years, but their bond was deeper than surface. If it wasn’t, there was no way she would’ve felt comfortable sharing a bed—sharing a life—with him. Not even for show.
And if she descended into the dark, private depths of her soul, she’d admit to feeling a ripple of wanting more. Since her “I do” at the wedding, she’d done more than pretend to have more. She’d embraced it. Now that it was shaping up to have potential, and if Emmett didn’t want to leave any more than she did, why not explore what they had?
“You can’t know it’s going to work. Not after a handful of days.” He turned away and scrubbed his jaw. Stef couldn’t tell if he was more tormented by the idea that they could last, or by the idea that they wouldn’t.