Today was the two year anniversary of her mother’s death.

Just as anguished tears pricked her eyes, Casey popped her head in the door. “Come on, chick. I’m taking you to lunch.”

Emma smiled. She didn’t bother hiding the fact she had been crying. Casey knew the importance of the day as well. Last year, she had plied Emma with alcohol and chocolate and then spent the night, holding her in bed as she wept uncontrollably. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but really, I don’t mind just staying here.”

“And what kind of best friend would I be if I left you here alone on today of all days?”

“The kind who recognizes how I shut-down emotionally during times of duress and withdraw from my family and friends?” Emma asked hopefully.

Casey snorted. “Nope, it’s not happening. You need a bottomless margarita, some highly fattening food, and a dessert dripping in chocolate and calories. And I’m going to have the immense pleasure of supplying it.”

Emma knew it was pointless to argue with Casey. Besides, she really did want to get out of the office and try to get her mind off things for a while. So she rose out of her chair and smiled. “Fine then. If you’re paying, then I’m going to eat, drink, and be merry!”

“That’s my girl.”

As they started down on the elevator, Casey asked, “You don’t mind if Nate joins us, do you?”

“Of course not. I haven’t gotten to see him in forever.”

“You and me both. Ugh, I think I’m going to have to start running over to the hospital on my lunch break for a quickie.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “You’re terrible.”

When they arrived at the restaurant, Nate already had a booth waiting on them. He rose out of his seat to hug Emma. “How are you holding up, Emmie Lou?” he asked. She fought the urge to smile at hearing her granddaddy’s childhood nickname on Nate’s lips. It was one Travis loved to tease her with, and when Nate had overhead him, he thought it was hysterical and automatically adopted it.

Thankfully, Emma knew his question related to her mother’s anniversary, not her late period. “I’m hanging in there. Some days are better than others.”

He nodded and patted her back. As he resumed his seat, Casey nudged Emma to sit beside him. She knew Casey didn’t want her having to sit alone. “No, no, you guys hardly get to see each other,” Emma protested.

“It’s better this way. I can stare into Nate’s eyes sitting across from him.”

“Most of all, it will keep her from molesting me under the table,” Nate replied, with a wink.

Emma snickered and slid in beside him. Casey eased down across from them. After the waitress left with their drink orders, a sharp pain seized Emma’s abdomen, and she gripped her menu tighter.

Casey immediately picked up on her distress. “What’s the matter?”

She cut her eyes over at Nate and then back to Casey and shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to discuss womanly issues in front of him—intern or not. And even though he was more than just Casey’s fiancée—he was a good and trusted friend—it still bothered her. “Oh nothing.”

“Shit, you aren’t cramping, are you?”

Emma felt her cheeks warming as she tried to hide behind her menu. “I said it’s nothing.”

Casey rolled her eyes. “Oh for f**k’s sake, Em. Nate knows all about vaginas and ovaries, so quit acting embarrassed in front of him.”

“I’m not acting embarrassed…I am embarrassed!” Emma replied.

Ignoring Emma, Casey looked pointedly at Nate. “You know how Em’s been hitting it with Aidan to get pregnant?” He nodded. “Well, she’s two days late for her period now.”

Emma closed her eyes, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Nate cleared his throat, trying to ease the tension. “If you are cramping, it could be a good thing. Sometimes when the egg implants into the uterine wall, you’ll experience moderate to severe pain that is similar to menstrual cramps.”

Casey gave Nate a beaming grin. “Baby, you’re so sexy when you spout that medical jargon.”

Emma snorted as Nate leaned over the table to give Casey a lingering kiss. “You guys are seriously sickening.” Once they had stopped making out, she smiled at Nate. “But thanks for the information. I’m hoping that’s what it is.”

“I’m hoping for you, too. You’ll make a wonderful mother, Emmie Lou. God knows, you deserve some happiness,” Nate replied, squeezing her hand.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She was interrupted by her phone buzzing in her purse. She glanced at the text and smiled.

I don’t know if you’re still speaking to me or not, but I’m thinking of you today. No one, besides my own mother, meant as much to me as yours did. She always loved and accepted me for who I was. Not to mention she made the best damn chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had! I love and miss you, Emmie Lou!

It was from Connor. He had even used her nickname. When she started to text him back, Casey cleared her throat. Emma snapped her gaze up. “Sorry, I didn’t think—”

Casey motioned over Emma’s shoulder. When she turned around, Connor stood with a bouquet of lilies—her mother’s favorite flower. Tears filled Emma’s eyes as she popped out of her seat and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I’m just glad you’re hugging me, rather than slugging me.”

As she pulled away, Emma giggled. “I guess I left things pretty bad between us, huh?”

“Dude, I thought I was a goner between you and that guy—oh what was his name again? The one who thought I was your boyfriend and was going to kick my ass.”

Casey snickered. “His name is Aidan, but I think we can refer to him as Em’s prospective Baby Daddy.”

Connor’s eyes widened, and he staggered back. “You got that guy to be your sperm donor?”

Emma shot Casey a murderous look before jerking her out of the booth. “No, not exactly.” She motioned for Connor to have a seat. “I think I need to fill you in on some things.”

Connor waved the waitress over before sitting down. “I’m going to need a beer…actually, go ahead and bring me the pitcher!”

CHAPTER TEN

Aidan hustled off the elevator from his last meeting of the afternoon. With his new promotion, his days were slammed from the moment he walked through the door until he clocked out. Thankfully, it was only half an hour until he could leave.