Part 276 (1/2)

”Why don't you follow them now?”

She hesitated. Rising up to her knees, she linked her arms around his

neck and kissed him. Michael tossed the half-eaten drumstick over his

shoulder. She was laughing when they rolled over the bed.

STAY TONIGHT.”

The sun was going down as she started to dress. ”Not tonight. I need

to think.”

”I was afraid you'd start thinking again.” He reached for her, holding

her against him. ”I love you, Emma. Why don't you think about that?”

Her only response was to close her eyes.

”I need you to believe me.”

”I want to believe you,” she told him. ”I don't trust my own judgment

right now. Not so long ago I thought Drew loved me, and that I loved

him. I was wrong on both counts.”

”G.o.dd.a.m.nit, Emma.” Biting off the words, he moved away to pull up the

shade. Twilight crept in.

”I'm not comparing you.”

”Aren't you?”

”No.” She knew he couldn't understand how far she had come already to be

able to go to him and rest her cheek against his back. ”It's me I'm not

sure of. My problems didn't start with Drew. It would be difficult

enough if they had. I have to be sure I know what I want before I ask

for it again.”

”I'm not going to settle for one day with you.”

She sighed and kissed his shoulder. ”Dad and Bev will be going back to

England soon.”