Falling by Jane Green Page B

best. Why she cares about what Dominic thinks is not something she is willing to think about just yet.
    â€œI’m just bringing Jesse his juice box,” says Dominic, sitting on her sofa and looking away, gesturing to the small box on the table before looking back at her with a slight shake of his head. “You look amazing.”
    â€œThank you!” If Emma wasn’t glowing before, she lights up at the compliment. She grabs a small straw clutch and slips her feet into strappy wedges. “Is this the right look for the place you recommended?”
    â€œYou’re going to blow them away.”
    Emma smiles her way out of the house, into the car, over to Sophie’s house, and all the way to Southport, the smile, the buzz, the glow never leaving her.
    â€œWhy are you so gorgeous and smiley?” asks Sophie when she gets in the car.
    â€œI don’t know,” says Emma. “I’m just happy.”
    And she is.
    â€œI don’t get it,” Sophie keeps saying, glancing over at her friend as they drive over to the bar. “Did you do something?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, did I do something? Like what?”
    â€œI don’t know. Did you have a facial? Did you change . . . I don’t know, something? You look ridiculously gorgeous tonight.”
    Emma snuggles farther down in her seat, unable to wipe the smile from her face. “I think it’s leading a stress-free life. Honestly. I feellike a different person since I moved out here and gave up my job. Sophie, I love living by the beach. There’s something about the light there that is completely and utterly magical. I wake up every morning feeling happy, and . . . I think that’s it. It’s just my new life.” She’s not ready to admit, even to her closest friend, that she is starting to realize there is something about her landlord that she can’t quite shake. It isn’t an obvious attraction, but the more she sees him, the more he seems to be growing on her. His kindness, his comfort in his skin, his ease in the world. All of it makes Emma feel safe.
    Sophie peers at her with disbelief. “Are you sure you’re not in love or something? Is there anything you want to tell me?”
    Emma frowns. “There isn’t,” she says after a pause. “But there is. I know that doesn’t make sense, but I think I might be feeling something with Dominic. I’m just not quite sure what it is.”
    Sophie’s eyes widen. “What does that mean? You’re attracted to him? Not that I’m surprised, but I didn’t think you were interested. God knows you’ve spent enough time telling me you’re not.”
    â€œI wasn’t. I don’t know what this is. I just feel . . . calm . . . when he’s around. And I find myself smiling in anticipation at the thought of seeing him. I like seeing him. I’m starting to want to see him more and more. And I really don’t know what any of this means.”
    Sophie leans back. “I knew it. The very fact that you kept saying he wasn’t your type at all means he’s your type. Of course he’s your type. He’s
everyone’s
type. He’s like, manliness personified.”
    â€œWhat’s the matter with you?” says Emma, laughing. “
Manliness personified?
Have you been taking drugs? He’s not manliness personified!” She cracks up. “He builds a terrible bookshelf, for your information. Although I do admit the kitchen shelves were slightly better, and the cat flap is really quite good.”
    â€œCat flap?”
    â€œAh, yes,” says Emma. “I knew there was something else I hadn’t told you. Jesse and I got a cat today.”
    Sophie starts to laugh. “Jesse and I? Okay. That’s it. You’re already part of the family.”
    â€œI’m really not,” says Emma. “I just babysat him today and we