Love.com (36 page)

Emily was dismayed to know she was assuming much about Ian, based on what Stephanie said outside the bank.
She knew deep down Ian was telling her the truth. He never had an affair with Stephanie. She knew it in her gut. For claiming to love the man, she gave up rather easily. She was much like her mother in that respect.

Emily returned from the gym troubled by such
glaring insight into her psyche. She thought she was playing it safe pushing Ian away just to avoid being hurt. She ached to know she was giving up on herself more than Ian. All she did was deny what she could have; leave herself open to the inevitable regret that would haunt her for the rest of her life as it had her mother.
Take a chance
, Leila said in the end.
Don’t be like me.

Emily fidgeted with her phone while her mother and Kathy were out
to dinner, her hand itching to text Ian; break the silence between them once and for all. Her eyes filled with mischief. She knew a better way to get his attention.

Emily
grabbed the new leopard print teddy out of the bag where it sat since she bought it. She couldn’t resist buying it, even as she mentally chastised herself, recalling she had nearly fifty of them just like it at home.

Emily
changed into the lingerie, her lips curving into a pleased smile as she posed on her bed. She took a shot of herself with her camera phone. She hit send without second-guessing herself for once.

I don’t have to ask if you have matching pantie
s


Emily giggled at the text message that came
from Ian
.
She texted him back quickly
.

You should know better! Of course, I do!

I’m sorry for everything, Emily
. I love you. Please don’t shut me out. I’m lost without you

I love you too. And d
on’t be sorry. Just be that guy, Ian. I’m holding you to it. Beaches will be playing at eight. Be there. 

That guy will be there.
With bells 

Emily was smiling as she rolled over and stared at the ceiling, hugging herself
in pleasure to know her movie date would arrive in less than two hours. Her mother and sister would adore him, she was sure.

Ian the Unattainable was hers.
She had to believe Ian was ‘the one’ now. Everything in her told her this was true. She refused to believe she was programmed with such false hope since donning her first training bra. It was clear he wasn’t so sure of that coldblooded analysis about fate anymore. The unthinkable had come to pass.

And t
he ugly duckling that didn’t have a prayer in getting what she wanted? It turned out Emily was quite happy being a duck in the end. Ducks were steady, reliable, resilient little creatures, and survivors of the most insurmountable odds.

Beautiful
, fragile swans were overrated; Emily discovered, with little surprise and no remorse she would never be one. Her feathers might not be quite as lovely, her carriage not as proud or graceful, but Ian didn’t want a swan, did he? He wanted her; with all her crazy quirks, issues, and endless list of insecurities. It was good to be a duck.
Quack! Quack!

The
End