Loving the Best Man (Friends & Lovers Book 2) by Jaye Diane Page B

everyone, Emerald went with her father to the small kitchen to be introduced to Samantha’s mother.
    Her name was Jean Webb and she was very friendly. Emerald liked her right away and decided to stay in the kitchen. She put her purse and bags, including the gifts, under the sink. Although her father was in the living room he was occupied playing host to everyone and she didn’t want him to have to watch her things. She didn’t know that anyone was a thief but she was always cautious with her belongings.
    Emerald was thrilled to see that Jean was doing most of the cooking and seemed a very capable cook. Samantha chopped vegetables and stirred the contents of the pots cooking on the stove.
    Emerald drained her coffee and poured herself another cup. Black with one sugar the way she liked it. She heard her phone ring and fished it out of her purse. There was a burst of joy inside of her when she saw that it was Lincoln calling.
    “Hello,” She hurriedly answered, going to a corner of the kitchen in a vain attempt to get some privacy.
    “Merry Christmas,” He said, his voice low.
    “Merry Christmas to you too.”
    “How’s your day going?”
    “It’s good,” She said, “I’m in the kitchen with my stepmother and her mother, just hanging out while they cook dinner.”
    “My sister’s cooking dinner,” Lincoln said, “And my mother’s helping her out.”
    “Do you have a lot of family over?” It sounded very quiet in the background.
    “A good amount of aunts, uncles and cousins. Plus my grandmother. I’m hiding out in my old room. I needed some peace and quiet for a minute.”
    “Oh, that explains why I don’t hear anybody.”
    “I couldn’t call you with any of them around. I already spoke to my friends so they’d want to know who I was on the phone with this time.”
    “Oh, so no one knows about me?” She teased, smiling.
    “I didn’t say that,” His own tone was light and teasing. “My parents do. And so does Ally.”
    “Let me guess,” Emerald said, rolling her eyes, “Grace’s comment?”
    “My sister already suspected something was going on before that whole thing with Grace’s comment. And now that she saw what everyone wrote, she feels so sure of herself.”
    “I’ve heard that twins have some crazy weird connection.”
    “It’s true,” Lincoln conceded. “But in this case, Ally was just being bossy and nosy.”
    She laughed. She’d only met his sister a handful of times throughout the years but she did seem like a bossy but loving sister.
    “So did you get everything you wanted?” He asked, his own tone teasing.
    “Maybe I will…tonight…” She whispered. A more obvious invitation couldn’t be given.
    “I’ll be there.” He whispered too. A thrill ran through her and she wanted to leave at that very moment. They stayed on the phone for a few more minutes before hanging up.
    Something he’d said replayed in her mind and her heart began to pound. His parents knew about them.
    “Was that your boyfriend?” Jean asked as she put icing on a cake.
    “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Samantha said. “Shawn must not know about it because he told Deon that you’re single.”
    “ What ?” Emerald shouted. She didn’t know where to begin.
    “Oh well, Deon’ll be just fine.” Jean didn’t bother looking up from what she was doing.
    “Why was my father telling Deon anything anyway?”
    “Shawn was telling us about you,” Jean replied, “And Deon asked if you were single. Your father said you are.”
    It was strange that her father would encourage Deon. He didn’t usually like the guys she dated and she’d become convinced that he just wanted his daughter to stay single. In many ways, she wasn’t just his little girl, she was his only real family and one of his few friends.
    “Turkey’s done!” Jean said, peering into the oven.
    There was too much going on and Emerald quietly sipped her coffee while she tried to get her thoughts together. Lincoln’s