Waking Up With You Read Free Page A

city, so why should he even want to go to bed with someone who looks like me?” I ask pointedly.
    “I don’t know why you always do that to yourself. Throw your insecurities out the window, for God’s sake!” she orders me. Paige gives me a sly look. “But, you know what I get from all of what you just said? You’re not against the idea of sleeping with him,” Paige announces dryly, wanting to ease my discomfort. I redden and mischievously fling a throw-pillow in her direction. We both burst out laughing.
    “Paige, Charlie explained it all to me before …” My sentence trails off as I remember my brother. Paige touches my hand in sympathy.
    “He said,” I continue in a small voice, “that it makes perfect sense for us to get married. Let’s face it, any woman married to Jake would resent his playing protector to me, as well as providing me with financial support. Charlie wanted Jake in my life. That’s how much he trusted him.”
    “But that’s just it. Your brother was asking you to surrender your freedom. It’s like he was saying you’ll never be capable of making decisions on your own, or even making a living to support yourself,” Paige argues heatedly.
    “Paige, please, just stop. Charlie was a great brother. Honestly, everything he said made sense, and Jake’s on board with it as well,” I say in a tired voice.
    I know Paige wants to scream at me that I’m not seeing the big picture. I know she wants to counter with a number of arguments, but she also understands that any more unsolicited advice will just create trouble in our friendship.
    “Em, I love you. I just want you to carefully weigh your options. That’s all.” She shakes her head. “Are you sure you don’t want me by your side at the ceremony?”
    “Thanks, Paige but Jake’s gonna be by himself and I don’t want to give him the impression that I need someone else to hold my hand.”
    She moves much closer to me on the sofa. I enfold her tightly in my arms, and we stay that way for a long time, each one of us absorbed in our individual thoughts.
    ***
    As Jake and I make our way to the parking lot, I have the urge to call Paige and let her know that the ceremony is over.
    “Jake, may I borrow your phone?” I timidly ask. “I’d like to call Paige.”
    He hands his cell phone to me without hesitation and I dial Paige’s number. After a few rings, it goes to voicemail and I end the call without leaving a message.
    “Thanks,” I say to Jake, and give him back his phone.
    “Didn’t you want to leave a message?” he inquires curiously.
    “Not really. I’ll be able to catch up with her later, I’m sure.”
    As he put his cell phone into his pocket, it starts to buzz. He looks at the caller ID and his forehead creases slightly. He ignores the ringing and puts it back into his pocket. I look oddly at him and say, “Unknown caller?”
    “Something like that,” he replies briefly, his eyes avoiding mine. I say nothing, though I know he’s being evasive. We reach Jake’s sleek black BMW 650i Gran Coupe, and he courteously opens the door for me to get in. He eases himself into the driver’s seat and then reaches out to open the glove compartment. He hands me a rectangular, robin’s egg colored box. I stare at him, not knowing what to say.
    “It’s just a small wedding present, Emma. Don’t fuss,” he mumbles.
    “But I don’t have anything for you. I didn’t think…” I stammer in embarrassment.
    He gives an audible sigh, like I’m making a big deal out of nothing.
    “Do you want me to open it now?” I ask shyly.
    “Of course. Why not?” he replies.
    I carefully unfurl the white satin ribbon and open the box. Inside is the most exquisite bracelet, with marquise diamonds forming flower petals all around. It is so breathtakingly beautiful that I remain motionless as I continue to gaze at the dazzling thing before me.
    “I… uhm…this is…why would…” I babble like a fool. His gesture is beyond my