Taming Johnny by Kaylie Newell

quite possible that this was the side of Johnny Street who truly didn’t want to be attached to anyone or anything. And this was how he ensured it wouldn’t happen. That thought was enough to make Emma want to cry. Even though she hadn’t intended for it to happen, even though she thought she’d known what she was getting herself into, it was obvious that she’d already fallen for Johnny. Now she might have to face the music, as painful as it was.
    “Come on , Emma. Just a few details won’t kill you,” Sally whispered from her chair.
    “I’m afraid if I talk about it, I’ll jinx everything.” And that was the honest to God truth. “But I promise, we’ll have a girl’s night next week, okay? I’ll spill then.”
    Sally sighed and put her glasses back on, swiveling back toward her computer. “All right. But I’m holding you to it, missy.”
    Emma couldn’t bring herself to smile at her friend’s nosy tenacity. Instead, she looked up at the clock. 4:50. Almost quitting time and Johnny hadn’t said two words to her all day. This was ridiculous. They weren’t kids. She had to at least find out if he was taking her to that barbeque tomorrow. Of one thing she was sure—she couldn’t keep riding this emotional roller coaster. It was too hard on the ticker.
    “Night, Sal. See you Monday.” She got up and headed down the hall toward Johnny’s office, realizing she might have to end up telling Sally the details over rocky road ice cream, if this was how things were going to be. She just had a feeling.
    Steeling herself, she knocked on his door.
    “Yeah?”
    Brusque as usual. But again, he sounded different somehow.
    “Hey.”
    He looked up, his eyes stony. “Hey.”
    Forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other, she stepped inside. “Anything wrong?”
    “What’d be wrong?”
    “You haven’t said much all day.”
    “I don’t usually say much.”
    “You act like you’re upset with me.”
    “Not with you,” he said, his tone flat.
    “Who then?”
    He took a deep breath, looking for the most part like he just wanted to be left alone. That certainly was nothing new. But right now, at this very moment, it felt like a knife slicing through her aorta.
    “Maybe I’m upset with myself.”
    What’s that supposed to mean? “I don’t understand.” She was afraid if she said much more, her voice might break. And she didn’t want that. She didn’t want to show him how vulnerable she felt. So instead, she tried his tactic. Smartassery. “Feel bad you didn’t send flowers?”
    A faint smile softened his lips. She thought it looked weary, hesitant. He leaned back in his chair. “We still on for tomorrow?”
    She was almost too afraid to be relieved. Right now, everything seemed okay, but how long would it be until he pulled the rug out from under her? How long could she take these ups and downs?
    She smiled back, feeling a little weary herself. “Of course.”
    * * * *
    Emma tossed her keys on the coffee table, put her purse down, and ventured into the kitchen for a Diet Coke. It was only a little over twelve hours ago that Johnny had been standing right there in her kitchen, considering her like something good to eat. She cracked open the soda, took a fizzy sip, and ran her fingers over the counter, lost in thought.
    When she saw Nigel’s letter sitting by the coffee pot, she froze. Just a small, ordinary piece of paper, mingled in with a bunch of bills. But how much meaning it carried. Even from where she was standing, she could read it clearly. And of course, Johnny would have been able to read it too. Yup. The words were clear as a bell, especially the last ones. I love you- Nigel.
    Suddenly listless, she set the Diet Coke on the counter. Crap.
     

Chapter 11
     
    “So how long have you and Johnny been dating?”
    Jake Street was blond, good looking, and had a fast, easy Texas smile. Emma had liked him instantly. He stood in front of her now, broad shouldered, and so tall that she had