EMERY IS IN a frenzy the night before we leave for the Maldives. She confessed that she's never been out of the state before, let alone a different country, so she had no idea what to pack. I told her she didn't have to worry, and anything she forgot, we could always buy there, but she wouldn't listen. She's been zooming around the townhouse, grabbing everything in sight for the past two hours.

I'm leaning against the bathroom doorway, watching her pile all of her toiletries into a Ziploc bag with a smile on my face. "They have shampoo and conditioner there."

She rolls her eyes. "You're such a guy. Those products probably suck."

They don't. It's a five-star resort and definitely better quality than the cheap ones she purchased at the grocery store, but I keep my mouth shut, knowing it won't get me on her good list if I mention it.

"Will it rain there? Should I bring a raincoat?"

"Em," I say with a breathy laugh, "we'll buy a poncho or stay inside if it rains. You don't need a raincoat."

She's biting on her thumbnail, looking around to ensure she didn't forget anything. "I'm just nervous, okay? I've never even been on a plane before! I have no clue what to expect. Plus, this is the first time I've ever requested off of work and school. It's stressful."

Taking two steps to close the distance between us, I hold her at arm's length, rubbing the pads of my thumbs against her shoulders. "And everyone was fine with it, right? Your professors gave you all of your assignments, and your jobs practically pushed you out the door to enjoy yourself for once. Everything is going to be fine."

She blinks up at me, and those brown eyes will melt me every time. "Why aren't you nervous?"

"Probably because I've traveled before. Also, I know that when we get there, I'll be able to see you in whatever swimsuit you bring, and that's enticing enough for me to fucking skydive into the Maldives."

"You're ridiculous, you know that?" She's still biting on her thumbnail, so I let out a sigh and say, "You want to get the raincoat, don't you?"

She nods.

"Alright. Want me to run to Target and grab one for you?"

"No, I've got it. I want to pick it out myself. You've already purchased an entire wardrobe for me. The least I can get is a raincoat." She leans up to give me a quick kiss. "I'll be back soon."

"Alright. Call me if you need anything." I watch her go, and the urge to say love you is so strong that I have to bite down on my tongue to keep the words at bay.

But suddenly, she's back in view, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed when she asks, "Do you still love the bracelet?"

Fuck if her words aren't a punch to my gut. They knock the wind out of me, and a rush of relief floods my nerves. "Still love the bracelet," I reassure, waving my wrist with said bracelet around it. "Can't get enough of the bracelet, actually."

She rolls her eyes. "Just for that, I'm buying a thong bikini that rides so far up my ass it won't be visible anymore."

"Are you trying to delay your trip to Target?" Glancing down at my hard-on, she darts away toward the stairs before I can reach her, giggling endlessly. Her ass bounces from the movement in those sweatpants she's wearing, and I'm still staring when she disappears down the stairs.

"Bye, Ev!" She teases.

When I hear the front door click shut, I'm still smiling to myself as I try to finish the remainder of my packing. After another month of living together, our things merged into each other's rooms. Sometimes, I'll crawl into bed with her, or she'll wake me up in the middle of the night in mine. I find Emery's stuff all over the townhouse now. Hair ties, clothing, books... She's everywhere, and I don't want her to leave. Not ever.

I left my watch on her nightstand yesterday, so I open her door and make to grab it, freezing when a familiar pink sketchbook sits beside it. A pack of fancy drawing pencils sits on top, and I can't help myself. I grab the pink sketchbook, sit on top of her comforter, and open to the first page.

Once I start, I can't seem to stop. Her designs are mesmerizing. They're incredible. If she's putting these in her portfolio, they'll be perfect. Emery has a love for all genres of fashion, and it's evident on these pages. Gothic, preppy, boho... She's incorporated everything in one notebook. I'm not a fashion guru or anything, but I know talent when I see it.

And I know exactly who it'll impress.

Since Emery's been freaking out all day about packing, I highly doubt she'll notice her sketchbook is missing, so I bring it back to my room and carefully place it at the bottom of my suitcase.

My girl is talented as hell, and it's time the whole world knows it.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The following morning, Emery stares at the private plane in awe. My father always flies private for vacations; truthfully, it's the one thing I won't fight him on. I hate being recognized at airports, so if he wants to splurge on this, I'm okay with it.

"You're going to be fine." Stepping up behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and pull her against my chest. The staff is loading our luggage, and the rest of my family is already on the plane, but Emery is shaking against me, unwilling to take one step closer. "You have me, Em. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

She scoffs. "Do you know how to operate a plane?"

"Well, no, but I promise to hold you the entire flight if it makes you feel better."

She twists her head to stare up at me, arching a brow. "In front of your family?"

"If you couldn't tell already at my birthday dinner, they know. I'm not going to hide it. Especially when we're in paradise."

"Hide what?" A teasing smile lines her face, but I'm not going to get into labels right now. Not when I'm not sure if she's ready to make it official. I've been ready, more than ready, but I want to enjoy our vacation together without any awkwardness, and if she doesn't feel the same, it'll ruin my entire week.

"What we have," I decide to reply.

She hums thoughtfully, her lips pressing in a firm line. "Okay," she concedes. "As long as you're fine with me holding your hand the entire way, then I'll be good."

I nip at her ear, running my hands up her thighs in these yoga pants that are teasing the fuck out of me. "Sure you don't want to sit in my lap?"

"And be poked and prodded the entire way? I'll pass." She grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers together, dragging me up the stairs into the luxurious plane. I'm still laughing at her comment, and my family grows quiet, all of them staring at us like we're aliens.

"What?" I ask bitterly, my laughter instantly fading.

"Nothing," everyone replies, hurrying to busy themselves. Izzy pats the row in front of her and Mason, instructing us to sit.

"I'll be in the back," Connor says with a roll of his eyes. "No way in hell am I sitting next to a bunch of lovebirds. I'd rather gauge my eyes out." He rises from his seat, and only being seventeen, he's already an inch taller than me. He's bulky and muscular from all the hockey he plays, rising to be a spitting image of our father, but underneath all of his sarcasm and wit is the sweet, innocent brother I had all those years ago. The more I'm with Emery, the more I seem to understand the front he puts up.

"Don't be jealous!" Izzy shouts down the aisle.

My mother sighs from two rows over. "Can we please have a flight with no fighting? I'm almost begging at this point."

Emery squeezes my hand as we take our seats in the plush leather chairs, leaning over to my ear to whisper, "This is going to be very interesting."

Author's Note:

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