Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 24 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 24

Chapter 3 

Sean’s mom threw dinners all the time. At least twice a month. 

Emma was always invited. 

I got invited maybe once a month. To keep up appearances. 

By the time I got there, everyone was already eating. 

Emma was next to Sean, laughing about something. He’d peeled a whole pile of shrimp for her. 

She saw me and smiled. “Nora! Glad you could make it.” 

I sat down at the far end of the table. 

Most of the food was seafood. I couldn’t eat any of it. 

I picked at the salad. 

Halfway through dinner, Sean’s mom looked at me. 

“Nora, have you finalized the wedding menu?” 

“I was thinking we should upgrade the main course. Maybe filet mignon? Emma loves a good steak.” 

Emma laughed. “You don’t have to do that.” 

“If you love it, we’re doing it. It’s a celebration.” 

I stopped chewing. 

It was supposed to be my wedding. 

Sean hadn’t helped plan a single thing. And now even the menu was about Emma. 

Not that it mattered. There wasn’t going to be a wedding. 

I just nodded. 

After dinner, Sean’s mom waved me toward the couch. 

Chapter 3 

“Come sit, honey.” 

Then she turned to Emma. “Emma, sweetie, help me clean up?” 

Emma started to stand. 

Sean cut in. “Mom, Emma’s on her period. She was not feeling well. Nora can help.” 

My hand went tight around my glass. 

So he could notice when Emma was on her period. 

We’d been together five years. He never noticed with me. 

Last month, I was cramping so badly I could barely move. 

He thought I looked tired. 

“You should go to bed earlier,” he said. 

Sean’s mom laughed. “We’re not making a guest clean up. You two can handle it.” 

Sean and his dad went into the kitchen. Emma followed them and stood in the doorway, smiling. 

I sat on the couch. 

A little while later, Emma yawned. 

Sean was up before she even finished. He grabbed his keys. 

“Let’s get you home.” 

Same as always. Emma first. 

Her apartment was close to ours. Two blocks away. 

Sean had helped her find it. Made sure it was safe. Made sure her favorite coffee shop was nearby. 

Made sure he could get there fast if she needed him. 

And she always needed him. 

Broken faucet. Dead battery. Bad dream. 

We dropped her off. She waved from the sidewalk. 

Chapter 3 

Sean didn’t start the car until she was inside. 

The drive home was quiet. 

I broke the silence. 

“Don’t you think you’re too close with Emma?” 

He looked relaxed. Almost amused. 

He reached over and patted my hand. 

“You jealous?” 

“Emma and I grew up together. We’re basically family. If something was going to happen, it would’ve happened a long time ago.” 

He pulled into our driveway. 

“Besides, I’m marrying you. What more do you want?” 

I pulled my hand back. 

“Are you free tomorrow?” 

“I need to talk to you about something.” 

He frowned. “Can’t you just sent a text-” 

He stopped. 

He remembered. I already knew about the AI. 

After a long pause, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll make time.” 

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