16. Surprise Field Trip

16

Surprise Field Tri p

Auston

As time wears on, Emma seems to open up to me more and more. I’m still on the receiving end of her sharp tongue—especially when it comes to my acting skills or my love of movies—but her body language is more relaxed, and I catch her smiling more often. I think I’m starting to see the old Emma again.

Madison and I just finished our last scene of the day, and it was torture. She kept messing up her placement, getting on everyone’s nerves.

“So, what’s the verdict?” I say, walking up to Emma afterward. She wasn’t a fan of that scene on paper.

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. You made it work. It’s different from the book, but I like it.”

I flash her a bright smile. “Hallelujah.” As I speak, I make a mental note to read the book as soon as I have a chance.

“Auston,” Madison says, sashaying up to us. “Are you excited for our field trip?”

I ignore her, assuming she’s just trying to mess with me again.

She sips her drink. “I know how much you love the coast.”

Then, it catches up with me. “Oh, right. Massachusetts.”

“Massachusetts?” Emma frowns. “Isn’t it Maine?”

“It was too far of a trip, but Clarence said they found the perfect location.”

“Oh, sorry. I thought you knew,” Madison says, narrowing her eyes at Emma. “Aren’t you coming? It’s not like you have to work, after all.”

“Of course I’m coming,” Emma says, taking a step forward. “I wouldn’t miss it. I just thought it was going to be in Maine, that’s all.”

“Absolutely,” I say, taking E mma’s hand. And as always, it sends a shiver up my arm. “We’re making a trip out of it, actually. I’m going to drive us there.”

Madison plasters on her best fake smile. “Great. I look forward to it. The scene on the beach is my favorite one in the movie.” Then, she spins on her heel and struts away.

“Is the scene on the beach . . .?” Emma starts, and I nod, my face warming.

“Yup. The big make-out scene.”

Emma adjusts her bangs. “Um, right. Well, I should get going. Shooting’s over.”

“We could do something tonight, if you’re free?” I suggest, and yes, it’s as pathetic as it sounds. Especially since this is my fourth attempt to spend more time with Emma this week, and I have a feeling she’ll turn me down again.

“Oh, no. Sorry. Alice and Hayley are leaving for France tomorrow, so we’re spending the evening together.”

“Right. You mentioned that. I completely forgot.” We walk together to her front door, and she turns her key in the lock. I suck in a small breath. “Are you sure you’re okay coming with us to Massachusetts? Madison kind of ambushed you.”

“It’s no big deal,” she says, leaning against the door. “My friends will be gone too, so it works out perfectly.”

“What about your cat?”

“I’ll j ust ask Mari or Beth to check on him. He’s a very independent feline, and I have a feeling he’ll just be glad to have his bookstore back.”

I chuckle. “Right. And don’t worry about lodging. I’ll make sure you have your own room, though. I’ll ask Robyn to get us a connecting one. With Madison running around, we’ll have to be careful.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I shuffle my feet. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow, then? Have fun with your friends.”

“Thanks.” She offers a small smile, then walks up the stairs to her apartment.

As I close the door behind me, warmth spreads through my chest. It would be selfish to feel disappointed about not spending the evening with her when she’s coming on an entire trip with me. I’ll have plenty of opportunities for alone time with Emma, and maybe I’ll finally manage to break down some of her walls.

Emma

“There she is,” Hayley exclaims when I enter our apartment, her voice brimming with emotion. “Our favorite grumpy girl.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Um, are you okay?”

“She’s just sad because she’s going to miss you,” Alice says, stepping out of her room. “We both are.”

I repress a smile. “You two will be fine. I’m sure you’ll be too busy eating snails and other disgusting stuff to miss me.”

Alice rolls her eyes. “I told you, we don’t eat snails that often! It’s more of a special-occasion dish.”

“Right. Because that makes so much more sense.”

Hayley laughs, getting up from the couch. “We are going to miss you, though. And Darcy, of course. Are you going to be okay here by yourself?”

I fold my arms over my chest. “When am I ever not okay by myself? Besides, I’m going to Massachusetts for the movie, so I won’t be here much.”

“Wait,” Alice hisses, grabbing my arm. “Auston is taking you on a trip? When?”

I share an amused glance with Hayley. “She’s like a broken translator.”

“Oh, because it’s so different,” Alice snaps back.

“Um, yeah. We’re going with dozens of people; it’s not just us. And we’re traveling for work.”

Alice’s big eyes stretch wide. “Be careful. Things are different when you’re not in your natural habitat. I should know. Look what happened to me in New Hampshire.”

Hayley chuckles, and I just shake my head. “It’s not the same.” I release a long sigh. “Just when I thought I was actually going to miss you guys . . .”

“Oh come on.” She traps me in a hug. “You totally are. But we’ll DM you on Insta whenever we can.”

“We’ll send lots of pictures,” Hayley pipes in.

“And we’ll be expecting the same.” Alice winks, drawing a chuckle out of me.

“Just be careful out there, and don’t forget to come back,” I say, looking away as I try to keep my emotions at bay.

“Of course we will,” Alice says, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“You be careful too,” Hayley says, squeezing my hand before walking to the kitchen to grab some snacks. “You girls ready to go live on Insta?”

We all nod, and Alice and I walk to the living room.

Be careful . . . I know Hayley didn’t mean it like that, but I can’t help but think of Auston and our upcoming trip. Alice is right. Things are going to be different with us sleeping next door to each other. We’re going to be spending most of our time together, not to mention that everyone already thinks we’re dating. Maybe I should read a few more books before we go, just to prepare myself for any and all circumstances. At least he said I’ll have my own room, and I’m not walking into a One Bed situation. Because there’s about a zero percent chance I’d survive that.