Page 60 of Emeric

“In a hurry?” I asked.

Sylvan smiled. The desire to kiss him was so strong I started to sway toward him.

“I haven’t been to this farmers’ market in years,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

While part of me worried about him leaving the building, the other saw him like this and didn’t want to take that away from him. With his anxiety, I was glad to see he was open to going out and walking around. There had been no additional emails to Emeric or any breaches that Lawson saw. Whoever was trying to get to him had gone silent. We still didn’t let our guard down.

It had been six days since Emeric and Sylvan moved into my place. Yes, Sylvan wanted to as well. We shared a bed and were insatiable for each other. During the day, we went our separate ways. Sylvan found he enjoyed being with Vail, who taught him some recipes and cooking tips.

“Depending on what we get, we’re going to have an amazing dinner for you,” Vail said.

“It’s not possible for you to make anything bad.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I wasn’t always good.”

“Your bad was probably better than my best.”

The four of us got on the elevator and rode it down to the parking level. Kayli waited for us, leaning against a running Navigator. “What the hell took you so long? Jordan told me to be ready a half hour ago. I’m glad I’m not the one paying for gas for this thing.” She thumbed over her shoulder at the SUV.

Sheldon’s demeanor changed the moment we were in the open air, as did mine. We were no longer in the safety of the building, although we were still in a fairly secure area. We didn’t control who drove on the street in front of the building, as much as Jordan would have loved to hold that power.

Walking to the SUV, I kept Vail close as I opened the door for him to get in. Sylvan followed suit, as did Sheldon. They’d be a little cramped in the back, but it would be easier to take one vehicle.

I took the driver’s seat with Kayli next to me in the front, then we were off to the farmers’ market. Sylvan talked animatedly along the way about what he was hoping to find, items not as readily available near him.

Glancing at my phone, I saw no calls or texts from my mom. After a quick check with myself, I had no bad feelings about today going sideways. These were both good markers. I wanted Vail and Sylvan to enjoy themselves.

27

SYLVAN

It was wrong to think, but a part of me loved that we were forced together under Jordan’s roof. Emeric and I slept in Oleander’s bed every night. Emeric said the only reason he hadn’t completely lost his mind yet was because of Oleander and me.

I was used to staying in one place for long periods. Although this wasn’t my home. That alone was unsettling and caused me to have at least one panic attack a day. I tried to hide it the best I could. Sometimes I was successful, others not.

On a positive note, I met and had a session with Arden, the therapist for the people who worked for Jordan. It didn’t hurt to sit with him while I was here. I was due to see him again this coming weekend. He was a kind man, very gentle with his words. His demeanor made me feel at ease, which was hard to do when I met new people. He had this quality about him that made him perfect for his profession.

“Doing okay?” Emeric asked.

I had gone to the farmers’ market a couple of days ago and since then had stayed in the building. I was cooking dinner in Oleander’s apartment while Emeric handled some last-minute tasks on his computer at the dining table. “Yeah. I’m slowly relaxing more. I still miss my house though.”

The thought made me wonder what would happen when the threat to Emeric was resolved. We’d go our separate ways, me back to the safe house and Emeric to his penthouse. How would it work between us? This was the millionth time I’d thought about it. One of those thoughts that wouldn’t leave my brain once it got started.

Would we always be traveling from one home to the other? It would be exhausting for those driving. It didn’t help that I was part of the problem. I didn’t venture out of my home often and rarely into Dremest. Oleander and Emeric would have to come to me the majority of the time. That wasn’t conducive to their careers.

“Syl?”

“Hmmm?” I heard Emeric, but my mind was still lost in what we were going to do if we were in a relationship long term. I couldn’t imagine giving them up. Even if I had a panic attack the whole way to the city and back every time, I’d drive it just to be with them. They wouldn’t want me to put myself through that though.

“Syl!” he yelled.

“What?” I called back, my eyes finally lifting to him.

“Your water is boiling over.”

“Oh, shit.” I quickly moved the pot off the burner and turned the stove down before putting it back on and watching it closely. Dinner wasn’t complicated. Somehow, I managed to fuck it up. Shaking my head, I said, “Sorry.”

“What were you thinking about?”