Chapter 36

Sarah is home when we get to the apartment; she looks frantic, and I’m instantly guilty. My phone died late last night, and I’ve been so absorbed in being with Jake that I haven’t even thought about her being worried. She looks us over in surprise, then grins knowingly. I guess I still have that flushed, ‘just been screwed’ look, and with Jake’s arm around my waist possessively, it tells her all she needs to know.

“Emma? Thank God! Well, I can call off the search party!” She grabs me in a hug and points the finger at Jake. “You better be treating her right this time, stopping all this nonsense and bullshit evasive behavior.” She waggles it at him, bringing her tiny frame up to his in an overly aggressive manner. Jake raises his palms and tries not to smile.

“Like she’s my queen. She was a little too busy to think about phoning home, ‘mom.’” He darts out of the way of her playful slap, and she turns to me instead.

“I was worried about you,” she says, turning to me.