Without a Doubt

by Lindsay Paige

  “That was just fate helping me out.”

  “You believe in fate?”

  Eva shrugs. “Sometimes. Plus, doesn't it sound better to say fate brought people together than pure coincidence? It has a better ring to it. Not to mention that all our choices lead us closer to the next choice, so fate makes more sense. If we had done something differently, made a different choice, then other aspects of our lives would change, too.”

  “You seem like you've thought about it before.”

  “That was all off the top of my head, actually.” She grins. “Older, wiser, and quicker on my feet, Emerson.”

  “One year older can't make you too much wiser than I am.”

  “Well, I'm a girl, so that helps my case, too.”

  I laugh. “You...” I shake my head, at a loss as to how to describe her.

  “I'm too much?” she tries.

  “Yes, you are,” I agree.

  Her grin widens before she turns to lie on her side. “Let's watch a movie.”

  I didn't turn my gaming console off earlier and the controller is still on the end table next to me. After changing the channel and switching from the game to Netflix, I start scrolling to find a movie for us to watch.

  “Ooh, what about that one?” Eva asks about a particular movie. I've already seen it, but I hit play anyway.

  For a moment earlier, I was worried about Eva's response to my blunder about Kelly. With as curious as she seems to be about everything else, I figured she would ask a ton of questions. She didn't, thankfully. It's not a conversation I want to have yet.

  Not that I've had to have that conversation before. Nothing has made it far enough or serious enough to bring her up. I banish Kelly from my thoughts with a breath and focus on the person actually here with me.

  Eva lifts her head to look at me. “Are you okay? Did you want to watch another movie?”

  My breath must have been more like a sigh. “No, I'm good.” I settle into the couch and rest my hands on one of Eva's legs at the ankle. I glide my hand up to her knee and back down again, over and over. Her skin is soft, smooth, and my repetitive actions relax me.

  Within twenty minutes, a glance at Eva shows her sound asleep. The brownies must have done her in. I finish watching the movie and notice the time. It's pretty late. Do I wake her and take her to campus, or let her sleep? It only takes me an instant to make a decision. Carefully, I move her feet from my lap, so I can stand. After going to my room and pushing blankets out of the way, I return to the couch.

  She's turned onto her back, which is perfect for me to ease an arm underneath her knees and the other behind her back. Eva doesn't wake as I lift her and carry her to my room. I lay her down gently, cover her up, and then close the door quietly. I grab a blanket from the hall closet. Once I undress down to my boxers, I lie down, cover up, and close my eyes. Hopefully, Eva won't be upset that I chose not to wake her.

  “You know, I'm starting to think you have a sleeping problem,” I say when Eva stumbles into the living room in the morning.

  She's in that dazed state, her eyes half closed as her feet shuffle on the floor. I'm sitting up, still barely clothed, but the blanket is covering me from the waist down. Eva falls into the seat next to me and leans over. I quickly put the pillow in my lap, just in time as she rests her head on it. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “If I get still and comfortable, I'll fall asleep.”

  “It's okay. You're not mad that I let you stay here, are you?”

  She hums an answer, which I'm pretty sure means no.

  “Takes you a bit to wake up, huh?”

  “Mhm.”

  I chuckle. Five minutes or so go by before she rolls onto her back. She blinks a few times, and then she squints.

  “Were you shirtless when I came in here?”

  I nod and laugh. “I must need to start working out if you didn't even notice.”

  Her gaze skims over my chest. I'm not cut and defined, but I'm in good shape. “No, I take all the blame for that.” She rolls over onto her side, facing the TV. Her fingers pluck at the blanket. “You slept in here?”

  “Yeah, I didn't know how you'd feel if I didn't, so I took the couch.”

  Then, she notices my jeans pooled on the floor because she says, “Are you wearing anything underneath this blanket, Emerson?”

  “Boxers.”

  “Oh.” Slowly, she sits upright next to me. “Anyway, I should probably get to campus. My phone is dead, and I would like to brush my teeth. I'll be ready to go in a second.” She stands and disappears to the bathroom.

  While she's gone, I dress in what I wore yesterday since I'll be coming back here to shower. Eva returns and I go to the restroom to brush my own teeth before we go. Eva's pretty quiet on the drive.

  “You're quiet in the mornings,” I say.

  She looks over at me. “Are you trying to tell me something?” One of her eyebrows lifts in a challenge.

  “No,” I chuckle, “just saying.”

  “It takes me an hour or so to fully be awake.” I park my truck and she says, “I'll talk to you soon?”

  “Yeah. I'll make sure whatever we do next keeps you moving, so you don't fall asleep on me.”

  She laughs. “Just let me know. I close at the sub shop, but what day I work varies. See you around, Emerson.” With that, she hops out of my truck.

  Eva and I have been texting a lot this week. She's made me laugh more than I can count, and she sends random questions for me to answer in the middle of us talking about something else. She'll ask about favorites, life goals, and all sorts of things across the board. She also told me she would be busy tonight because she's working. I just finished my own shift, so I drive to Sub Grub.

  The restaurant is part of a strip of stores. There aren't but a few cars scattered across the lot. No one appears to be in Sub Grub though, since it is almost closing time. From my truck, I don't see Eva. She may be in the back. I get out of my truck, lock the doors, and walk inside. The door makes a jingle sound thanks to a bell hanging on it.

  Eva pops up from behind the counter, where she had been kneeling apparently. A smile quickly lights her face when she sees me.

  “Hey. What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted some grub.” She laughs, and I add, “And I wanted to see you.”

  “Aw, aren't you sweet.”

  “Has it been busy?” I ask as I look over the menu hanging on the wall behind her.

  “Not too bad. How was work?”

  “Nothing to brag about. What's your favorite?”

  Eva puts on a pair of gloves. “I like the steak and cheese. Want me to fix you that?”

  I nod. “Just like you would eat it.” She raises an eyebrow in surprise, but gets started. “So, this Saturday morning, do you have any plans?”

  “Should I guess that I'm hanging out with you?” She pops the sub into the toaster oven.

  “That would be correct.” I grin.

  “What time are you picking me up?” she asks as it beeps and she takes it out. I watch as she squirts ranch on it, and then adds cucumber, lettuce, spinach, and onions.

  “Eight o'clock.”

  “That's pretty early. What are we going to be doing?” Eva wraps it up, picks up a bag of plain chips, and places them both in a bag.

  “You like surprises; why would I spoil it for you?” She grins. “Do you want me to stay while you close up?”

  “You don't have to. I'm sure you're ready to eat and go home to relax.” She rings me up and I hand her some cash. “How about a kiss instead?” She sets her hands on the counter, leaning forward with a smile.

  “You want my kiss instead of my time? You've hurt my feelings, Eva.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Well, consider us even since you hurt my feelings with our first encounter. Give me a kiss and go home, so I can get out of here.”

  I close the distance between us to press my lips to hers. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with kissing her, especially since she told me to do so. On
e kiss makes me want to pull her across the counter so I can feel more of her. Eva pulls away before I can do anything about it.

  “Saturday, eight A.M. sharp?”

  “Yep,” I confirm.

  “I can't wait.” She grins.

  Neither can I. The anticipation of seeing Eva again is one reason why the rest of the week passes by so fast. Well, almost. Friday night, I'm playing a video game and using the Internet to play with Glen. I'm wearing my headset so we can talk. It's been a little awkward between us because of Eva. When I brought up taking her out the first time, I wasn't expecting his first question to be about Kelly.

  We were roommates and I was struggling with my situation with Kelly. He could tell something was bugging me, so one day, he asked what my problem was. I told him. Glen seemed as thrown as I was about what Kelly asked of me. He thought it was weird, that something wasn't quite right about it.

  I agreed.

  After that, I told him updates on what wasn't happening between us. I haven't talked about her in a while though.

  I don't know why I was surprised when he asked me about her after learning I had gone out with Eva. He wanted to know if I'd spoken to her lately, if I'd tried to get up with her. I told him the truth—I haven't. That was pretty much it. Even so, I can tell there's a touch of hesitation, of skepticism, in his eyes whenever Eva comes up in conversation. He isn't completely on board with anything between us. He doesn't have to say it for me to know it.

  Tonight, it seems as if he wants to know more.

  “We need to talk about Eva.” His voice streams into my ears through the headset.

  “What about her?”

  “I know it's early and all, but she's my cousin, Emerson. I just wanna know what'll happen if Kelly comes back into your life, or what you're going to do at the end of your two years if you're still seeing Eva. Have you told her about Kelly?”

  “No.” I sigh because I don't know the answers to those other questions. “I don't know what Kelly is going to want next year.”

  “That's not what I asked.” His voice gains a hard edge. “If she is, are you going to want to be with her? If there's even a chance of that, I don't want you dating Eva. She doesn't need to get hurt.” Eva was right. He was like a protective older brother.

  I can't even imagine what I would do if Kelly was back in the picture. It's been a year since I've even spoken to her. Part of me doubts she'll be waiting for me next year like she said. And while I understand where Glen is coming from, I don't want to stop seeing Eva. She's too fun. She makes me feel good, and I'm not ready to give that up over what may or may not happen in the future.

  Instead of answering his questions, I say, “I'm not going to hurt her, Glen.”

  “Better not, Emerson.”

  “RIDING IN SWEET Irene so much is making me like trucks more and more,” I say as Emerson pulls out onto the highway.

  He laughs. “I think it's time I confess that I lied about naming my truck.”

  “I figured as much, but it was still funny. Plus, she's Sweet Irene to me now.” I pat the dash for good measure.

  Emerson knocked on my dorm door at exactly eight o'clock. Catherine wasn't too happy about being woken up, but it's not my fault she wakes easily. I'm thrumming with anticipation and energy at where we may be going today. I'm still excited he popped in at work Tuesday, too. When I walked into the dorm, Catherine took one look at me and my grin and shook her head.

  “You're smitten,” she had said as she picked up her book to continue reading.

  She's right; I'm totally smitten. I've been thinking pretty much nonstop about what we could be doing today, if it will top us going horseback riding, but I can't think of anything. The fact that it's so early in the day is throwing me off.

  I'm further confused when we park ten minutes later in front of a pet store. It's not until we get out of the truck that he tells me why we're here.

  “It's adoption day and they could use some extra volunteers to help out. I signed us up. That sound okay?”

  My grin is probably stretched all the way to my ears. “It sounds awesome. Let's go.” I grab his hand, locking our fingers together, and drag him across the parking lot. “We need to do something you like next time, okay?”

  When I glance at him, he's grinning. “I think I may know just what we need to do, too. Sweet Irene's baby sister will be happy.” I tilt my head in confusion as he opens the door for us. “I'm keeping that one a surprise, too.”

  “I'm already excited,” I tell him honestly.

  He laughs, shaking his head a little. “All I have to do is say it's a surprise and you'll be excited.”

  I shrug because it's true.

  Emerson leads us over to the customer service desk. The lady behind it points us to the other side of the store where another volunteer will be waiting to give us instructions. Turns out, we'll be washing some of the cutest dogs I've ever seen. We're assigned a few dogs individually and one together since he's bigger.

  Before I step to my station to wash this adorable little terrier, I quickly kiss Emerson. “You're the best.”

  I'm in heaven. Being around all these dogs makes me miss my own dog back home though. However, my grin is permanent on my face today. I bathe my three dogs in happy bliss before meeting up with Emerson, where he's waiting with a five-month-old Saint Bernard puppy, who is already huge. His shirt is splotchy with wet spots and I laugh.

  “Did you have trouble with yours?”

  “Just a little.” He smiles. “Having fun?”

  I nod, kneeling to pet the puppy. His fur is so soft and thick, and those eyes are full of mischief. “Let's get you all clean and handsome.”

  Emerson leads the way to a kid-like pool looking area where the puppy can step inside. We can wash him and the water goes down the drain in the floor. Emerson grabs the nozzle and starts spraying the dog.

  “Do you know his name?” I ask as I pet him and try to keep him still.

  “Scout, I think.”

  “He doesn't look like a Scout.”

  He chuckles. “What does he look like then?”

  I study the dog's face, dismissing names left and right in my head until I find one that sounds right. “He looks more like a Zeus to me. He's going to be big; he needs a name that fits.”

  “I like Zeus better, too.”

  Emerson starts to wash him. I was right to think Scout is mischievous. He shakes four times before it's time for him to be rinsed, soaking us both and making me laugh each time.

  “He's trouble,” Emerson comments with amusement.

  “Don't you see what you've been missing out on all these years?”

  “Yeah,” he laughs. “I do.”

  We work together to finish Scout until he's clean, dry, and handsome once more. Once we're all finished, we head to the truck.

  “Hungry?” Emerson asks.

  “I'm always up for food.”

  He laughs. “What if we have breakfast for lunch?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  He drives to his apartment, and I'm surprised he's going to cook. I figured we'd go to one of the many restaurants serving breakfast all day. Not that I'm upset, just surprised. I sit on a stool at the bar and watch as he moves around his kitchen.

  “What can I do to help?” I ask. Sitting here while he does all the work and I watch feels wrong.

  “Do you really want to help or are you asking because you don't like me doing it while you just sit there?”

  “A bit of both.” I'm kind of curious as to how it'll be to help him cook.

  He opens the oven to pop in some biscuits. “I'll let you help next time. How about that?”

  I smile. I love hearing about the 'next time.' “Okay.” He starts the grits next. “What's your favorite thing to cook?”

  “Steak,” he answers immediately. “Although, since leaving home, it's not quite as fun since I don't cook them on the grill.”

  I laugh. “You're such a guy. Do you have a special way
of fixing it, too?” I tease.

  “Of course. I'll have to make it next time. I'll put you in charge of the sides; how does that sound?”

  “Perfect.” And it really does.

  Emerson looks over at me and says, “You seem easy to please, Eva. I mean, it feels like it's easy to make you happy.” He frowns as if he's not choosing the right words. “You know what I mean?”

  “Yeah. I've noticed it's easy to make you laugh.”

  “That's because you're funny,” he interrupts with a chuckle.

  “See! Right there. I didn't say anything funny and you still laughed a little.” Emerson shrugs. “Anyway, I try to be open to things and I think that helps. Plus, you've done some really great things, so you've helped make me happy.”

  Emerson pulls out the biscuits and proceeds to make both of our plates. Finally, he asks me to do something, fix our drinks, and I do so happily. We sit down and begin eating.

  “What made you choose this college?” I ask.

  “I love the school. My entire family loves this college; they are fans so I filled out an application, got accepted, and came. Plus, it's not too far from home, which was ideal as well, even though I don't go home much now. What about you?”

  For the first time with Emerson, I hesitate to answer a question. He raises an eyebrow at me as he notices.

  “Too personal of a question?” he asks, seeming a little confused on how it could be too personal.

  “No, not exactly.” I take a quick breath. “Do you want the hopeless romantic version of me to answer it or the other me to answer?”

  “Both.”

  Crap. I think why I'm hesitating, other than the reason of being laughed at, is because no one other than Catherine really knows the main reason why I chose this college, the hopeless romantic reason why. “Well,” I start, “the answer I usually give to people is that it's the closest one to home. The actual reason is because this is where my parents met. I've never seen two people more in love with each other, even when they argue, than my parents. They met and fell in love here, and growing up to hear that story made it a bit of a magical place. So, I guess I wanted to come and hope I experienced a piece of the same magic.”