Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising by S.G. Lee Page B

her spine. Again, her head was spinning, stifling her inner voice of reason. Considering they weren’t alone, common sense should have dictated a greater restraint. Under the delicate caress of Evan’s hand, Emma’s skin rippled with goose bumps. Fervently, his lips crushed against hers.
    “EVAN!”
    At the sound of his father’s voice, Evan shot upright. Horrified, Emma sank low into the sofa cushion. She had assumed that Frank, like her father, would be at work. The major curled his finger beckoningly and Evan quietly excused himself. A few moments later, Evan was back and the picture of self-control. The worried look on Emma’s face made him chuckle.
    “Relax, it was nothing,” he whispered.
    “What did he say?” Emma’s eyes were as wide as saucers and her face burned with humiliation. Already uncomfortable around Major Stone, her lack of self-control only made it worse. She couldn’t help but wonder why the men in the Stone family put her off-kilter. Just then, Kate and Lucy came into the family room.
    “Emma, dear, can you stay for dinner?”
    Lucy looked at her with hopeful eyes and Evan whispered, “Please?”
    “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
    “Nonsense! It’s no imposition.” Frank tried to make his gruff voice sound inviting but it didn’t stop Emma from jumping when he spoke. “Why don’t you call home to make sure it’s okay?”
    Emma wondered when the major had popped back into the room. She assumed it was his military training that made such a solid man so stealthy.
    Despite the earlier embarrassment, dinner with the Stones was much more comfortable than she had expected. Not only did they enjoy each other’s company, but she was amazed that the major was so attentive. Emma couldn’t help feeling envious; it had been ages since the last time her own father spent that much time with her. Since it was a school night, Evan took Emma home right after dinner but he took his time saying goodnight.
    ***
    Later that evening, as he wrote in his journal, Evan scrawled his father’s words onto the page: Son, there are two kinds of girls. There’s the ones that you only want to mess around with, and the ones you marry. Don’t try to make one out of the other. In case you’re confused, Emma is the latter. So, if you’re going to be with her you need to show some restraint. Understand?
    Easier said than done, Dad.
    Just thinking about Emma made his heart beat faster but he’d promised his dad he would do better.
    ***
    Monday morning saw Emma filled with concern. Boys often acted one way when they were alone with a girl, but completely different once they were back at school surrounded by their friends. Countless times she’d overheard brokenhearted girls bawling ‘but he said he loved me.’ Evan had not said anything of the kind, but there was still a chance that he was just as fickle as other boys.
    Evan was leaning against his car, chatting with some of the uniforms as Emma and Matt pulled into the parking lot. Pangs of jealousy gnawed at her insides but before she’d unbuckled her seatbelt, Evan was opening the car door for her. As they crossed the parking lot hand in hand, there were more than a few gasps and several outraged huffs. Whitney stomped over to Matt, demanding to know what was going on. She had been planning a double date with Jessica and Evan but Emma had ruined everything .
    Evan found it difficult not to gloat, especially when Tyler looked so miserable. Emma however, did not enjoy being gossip fodder. The whispers were getting on her nerves but it did not stop her from allowing Evan to take her hand when they met in the hallway. Likewise, she did not refuse his peck on the cheek each time they parted.
    By the end of the week, Evan and Emma were old news. Few bothered to gawk at the couple anymore, especially since most of the junior class was eagerly anticipating Brittany’s party. It was already being heralded as the party of the year and everyone who was anyone would