Emily Calls It (The Emily Series) by Laura Albright. Page B

met the drawstring waist of his swim trunks.
    “Havin’ fun?” he asked keeping his eyes on mine. Hmm , I thought. I was in my bikini but he didn’t notice.
    “Yeah. Although I don’t know too many people here.” I sat back against one of the jets and let the bubbles run up my back and around my neck. They tickled ever-so-slightly.
    “They’re mostly a bunch of boring Econ majors.” He smiled and leaned back on his elbows.
    “You’re an Econ major, aren’t you?” I asked, already knowing the answer, of course.
    He let out a half-laugh. “See, I told ya.” He kicked under the water just missing me. “I think the burgers are almost done. Want to?” He reached for my hand and we stepped out of the Jacuzzi together. I dried off quickly and slipped my sundress on again while Joel dripped dry. Before we got to the BBQ area he pau sed by a chair, grabbed his tee shirt and pulled it on. It would make it easier to have a conversation with him over dinner if he was dressed. I did however sigh at the disappearing vision of his bare chest.
    Again, conversation came with ease while we ate, and I wondered why I had overlooked this seemingly perfect guy. The balance of the evening was mostly daiquiri drinking and the fun little game of let’s-throw-the-drunk-girl-in-the-pool. Luckily for me I knew this game, stayed away from the edge, and remained sober. Even if I wanted to, I knew my brother would give me a fierce sideways glare if I drank too much; who needed that added aggravation? But honestly, I was having ‘way too much fun with Joel. Just sitting beside him watching the night’s shenanigans was fun. When he rested his hand on the back of my chair, I wondered if it was time to see where this might go. I decided I’d ask him to walk me to my car when the party died. I figured if anything was going to happen, that’s when it would.
    We helped Ethan and Allison clean up, and when I started to wheel the BBQ back to the utility closet Joel came over to help me.
    “I’m going to take off. Would you mind walking me to my car?” I asked, feeling a little forward, but following my instincts anyway.
    “Sure. I gotta get going too.”
    We said our goodbyes, and I slipped into my flip- flops as Allison came over. “You’re sure you’re cool with all of this?”
    I forgot for a second what she was talking about. “Oh, of course I’m cool. You’re over at his place all the time anyway. Please!” She smiled and put her arm around me, turning back toward Ethan and Joel.
    “Night.” I looked at Ethan and he looked back, narrowing his eyes. Whatever, I thought.
    As we walked, Joel seemed relaxed. I truly liked being with him and I wondered how he felt. When we reached my car, I turned to face him leaning back against the driver’s side door. “That was a fun party. Thanks for hanging out with me.”
    “Oh sure. I figured you didn’t know too many people.” He rested his hand where the car window met the roof. I watched him rub his hand along the roof.
    “You got some piece of machinery here,” he said, admiring my car.
    “Yeah, I guess so. You don’t think it’s too old?” I asked.
    “No way.”
    “Yeah, me too. But you’d be surprised what other people think,” I said remembering numerous times Graham had suggested I replace it with something new. I liked him even more now that he appreciated the car like I did.
    With the subject of my car covered, there was an awkward moment of silence between us. The look on his face was somewhere between nervous and contemplative. I couldn’t figure it out. For a second I wondered if he might kiss me.
    The moment continued and the silence seemed huge. I watched his face and saw him swallow. I could see the muscles above his jawbone contract . I felt my lips part. Then I knew it. I wanted it. I wanted him. I couldn’t help myself. I touched his upper arm and left my hand there. If this wasn’t an invitation, I didn’t know what was. I waited, leaning against my