BooksBarbecue
Back The Companion Project
Chapters (89)
  1. Dedication
  2. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  3. ONE
  4. HENRY
  5. TWO
  6. EMMA
  7. THREE
  8. HENRY
  9. FOUR
  10. EMMA
  11. FIVE
  12. EMMA
  13. SIX
  14. SEVEN
  15. HENRY
  16. EIGHT
  17. NINE
  18. TEN
  19. HENRY
  20. ELEVEN
  21. TWELVE
  22. EMMA
  23. THIRTEEN
  24. HENRY
  25. FOURTEEN
  26. HENRY
  27. FIFTEEN
  28. SIXTEEN
  29. EMMA
  30. SEVENTEEN
  31. HENRY
  32. EIGHTEEN
  33. HENRY
  34. NINETEEN
  35. HENRY
  36. TWENTY
  37. TWENTY-ONE
  38. EMMA
  39. TWENTY-TWO
  40. EMMA
  41. TWENTY-THREE
  42. HENRY
  43. TWENTY-FOUR
  44. EMMA
  45. TWENTY-FIVE
  46. EMMA
  47. TWENTY-SIX
  48. EMMA
  49. TWENTY-SEVEN
  50. HENRY
  51. TWENTY-EIGHT
  52. EMMA
  53. TWENTY-NINE
  54. HENRY
  55. THIRTY
  56. HENRY
  57. THIRTY-ONE
  58. HENRY
  59. THIRTY-TWO
  60. EMMA
  61. THIRTY-THREE
  62. HENRY
  63. THIRTY-FOUR
  64. EMMA
  65. THIRTY-FIVE
  66. EMMA
  67. THIRTY-SIX
  68. HENRY
  69. THIRTY-SEVEN
  70. EMMA
  71. THIRTY-EIGHT
  72. HENRY
  73. THIRTY-NINE
  74. HENRY
  75. FORTY
  76. EMMA
  77. FORTY-ONE
  78. HENRY
  79. FORTY-TWO
  80. FORTY-THREE
  81. EMMA
  82. FORTY-FOUR
  83. EMMA
  84. FORTY-FIVE
  85. HENRY
  86. EPILOGUE
  87. ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
  88. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  89. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Is this what my buddies see when they look at their partners? Is this reaction why they bend over backwards to make their significant other happy, ready and willing to travel to the ends of the globe to give them whatever their heart desires?

That’s exactly what’s running through my mind. What mountains would I move or rivers would I cross to find the things that make Emma light up like a beautiful sunrise?

Deep down, I think I know the answer.

Deep down, I think I’ve known the answer for a while. Ever since RB—Emma—blazed into my life and changed me for the better.

All of them. There’s not a body of water too deep or peak too tall.

I pinch the inside of my wrist to derail the sickeningly romantic thoughts, doing my best to damper the nausea I’m beginning to experience.

And I still haven’t answered her. I need to speak. To say something coherent and rational, not letting her see what the hell is happening inside my head.

“Really. I can book it and send you the info.”

Nice, Dawson. Neutral and chill. Exactly what we’re going for.

“Perfect! I have a busy week coming up, so this will be a good stress reliever before we head to the party.”

“Lots going on at work?”

“I have my first interview with Wallace and the review board on Wednesday,” she admits, picking at the skin on her pointer finger before cursing under her breath and quickly wrapping a used, stained napkin around the spot sprouting droplets of blood.

The picking is a habit I’ve learned she does when she’s stressed or uncomfortable. It’s always a subtle action when she thinks no one is watching, usually during meetings or when she’s working hard, peeling away the loose skin inadvertently. It’s something I noticed years ago, but I wouldn’t dare share that information with her. The last thing I want is to make her think she’s on display, every move scrutinized.

“That’s awesome! You’ll have to tell me how it goes.”

Emma frowns, shifting in her seat. “You want to know?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m cheering for you and I support you. I already told you I think you deserve the spot more than I do. Of course I want to hear about the interview.”

She blushes again, and as much as I like seeing a smile on her face, watching her skin flush with color might be my favorite sight.

How red can she get?

What kind of filthy words can I whisper in her ear to get her to change colors?

The things I want to say…

The things I want to do…

Are you a good girl who knows how to listen, Emma?

“Thank you.”