As I look up, I catch Ember peeking at my phone. “Chris is here. He’s been trying to find us and I don’t know why he didn’t text me when he got here.”
“Because he figured he could spot your big head a mile away.” Chris taunts from behind me, and Ember laughs. “Hi.” He strides to the table, offering her his hand. “You m-must be Ember. I’m Chris. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her lips tilt into an apprehensive smile. “Don’t worry. I never believe anything he says,” he throws in. I glare at him with a fucking retort on the tip of my tongue when Riley hightails it over. He yanks Mickey Mouse’s hand to drag him off the chair.
“Chwissy! Wook what I got.”
“Wow, Riles, that’s awesome.” He kneels down and shakes Mickey’s hand. “Listen, we need to get going. Mom is making dinner and your friend Lenny is coming over.”
Riley licks a circle around his mouth, chocolate sticking to his tongue. “Okay, hewe.” He shoves Mickey Mouse at Chris. “Howd this.” Then he turns around, slinging his arms around Ember and squeezing until he practically cuts off her circulation. She smiles through it because she’s a trooper. “Bye, Embew. See you soon?”
“Absolutely, sweet boy.”
Riley backs away, kissing her cheek and my heart blows up. He moves on to me and gives me a big hug. “Bye, Unca Vance. Thank you fow bwinging me and fow the stuffed animal.”
“You got it, little guy. I’ll see you soon, okay?” I make a fist and he mimics me, pressing his curled fingers against mine. “Oh.” I pry the small plastic bag from my pocket with the Superman action figure. “This is for you, too. A little surprise for when you get home.”
His smile grows. “Thanks, Unca Vance.”
“Sure.” I grin. “Now scram.”
“All right, we’re outta here. Nice m-meeting you, Ember.” Chris’s gaze flashes to me with the discretion of a fly. “Hope to see you around.”
“Nice meeting you, too.” Ember waves once as Chris and Riley disappear into the crowd. She scuffs the toe of her sneaker against the floor, her gaze following the motion. “So….”
“So….” I wait until she raises her head then hold out my arm. She stares at it, hesitating for a split second before folding her fingers around my elbow. Small victories, I remind myself. “Shall we blow this joint, or what?”
“Let’s.”
We make it back out into the sunshine, prodded by a sea of people as anxious as we are to exit the store and breathe fresh air. Directly in front of the entrance, a group gathers around a man in a top hat and tails singing acapella. Not unusual for Manhattan and his voice is pretty damn good. Ember glances up at me, curiosity embedded in her smile.
“You said you play at that bar, Blue Monday, right?”
“Yeah. Every Tuesday and Thursday night. It’s no big deal.” I brush it off because when it comes down to it, the bar is a dive and the gig is solely something we do for fun. But I still fucking love it.
“I always thought you should do something with that voice.” Her tone doesn’t jibe with her expression. It’s too soft somehow, and my jaw stiffens. She slips her arm out from under mine and shifts away, staring at everything except me. “I should get going.”
“Do you want to grab a bite?”
“I can’t. I… have plans.” Her words are vague, but her message is crystal fucking clear. I know it’s with that guy.
“Ember.” I blow out a rough breath. “I don’t want to talk to your head. Could you look at me?” She turns, her face blank of emotion. “Go out with me tomorrow night.”
She sighs. “I can’t.”
I tug on my earring, suddenly wanting to rip it from my skin. “Why not?”
“I have plans with Avery.”
I shove my frustration into my pocket. “The night after that, then?”
Another lengthy sigh. “Vance—”
“Ember.” I tilt my head, searching her face. “I know you still care about me. I can see it in your eyes.” Reaching out, I tip her chin up with my finger. “What happened to the girl who always told the truth?”
She blinks slowly, breath rattling as it leaves her mouth. “She’s still here… she’s just terrified of it now.”
My eyes drift back and forth between hers, hoping she can see the sincerity in my gaze, feel it from my heart. “I won’t hurt you again.”
“You don’t know that.”
One thing I do know—words are fucking useless at this point. I need to prove it to her.
“Okay,” I submit, dropping my hand. And for someone who claims to be terrified, her forehead creases in what looks a whole hell of a lot like disappointment.
“Thank you for today. I had a great time,” her mouth slants, “and I love little Riley.”
Without waiting another fucking second, I lean down and let my lips graze her cheek before stepping back. “Thanks for coming.”