Author's Note: I can't thank you enough for your patience! I want to apologize for the major delay in updating this story - we all know how unexpected life can be.
Thanks again to SexyGeek and abMarie for editing these chapters, and sticking by my side throughout this story.
Don't worry; Chapter 6 is going to be submitted within the week, so you won't have to wait too long for that ;)
As always, your feedback is truly appreciated.
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Chapter 5: Finding Out Where We Stand
"I hate this," Jaz muttered as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
Keri spoke up, "Calm down. You're almost done."
Rolling her shoulders back, Jaz glared at her friend, "I'm never doing this again."
Keri smirked and glanced over from the stove. "You volunteered to help."
"Yeah, but I didn't know you were going to make me cut onions." She sniffled as she made the last cut. "Ok, what else is there to do?"
The girls moved around the kitchen prepping for dinner. Keri had volunteered to make her mom's special spaghetti while Jaz had pulled together sangria. Since it was going to be Emmett's first official time hanging out with the girls, they thought it would be nice to cook something. As they were setting up the table, a knock on the door sounded.
A smile lit Jaz's face as she saw Emmett standing there dressed in his work clothes, but without the tie and with the top button of his shirt undone. He held a bouquet of daises as he bent down to give her a soft kiss on the lips and a whispered hello.
Mmmmm.
"Emmett! You shouldn't have," Keri chimed in, grabbing the flowers from his hands.
"You're welcome, Keri," he spoke kindly and smirked at Jaz. She guided him into their kitchen and poured everyone a glass of sangria.
During dinner, the three made small talk between bites, but once all the plates were cleared, Keri took over the conversation. She probably thought she was being sly sneaking in a series of questions to find out more about Emmett, but it was pretty obvious. She asked him about his job, his family, and his friends. He didn't seem to have any trouble answering them, but Jaz's fingers fidgeted around her glass nervously. She tried shooting warning glances to her nosey friend, but nothing was stopping the questions.
Jaz spoke up before Keri could start asking about embarrassing stories or even past girlfriends. She cocked her eyebrow as if to challenge her. "So Keri, how's Nick?"
Keri smiled mischievously in return, "He's great. Thanks for asking. You know, he actually is expecting me over soon, so I better start heading out. I'll just take care of the dishes."
She made a move to start collecting the plates, but Emmett stopped her. "It's fine. You go ahead. The least I can do for this amazing dinner is wash the dishes."
Keri raised her eyebrows at her friend in surprise. "Thank you so much. It was nice to finally get to sit and talk with you." She grabbed her purse, and dashed for the door before Jaz could argue with her.
Emmett let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he stretched his arm behind her shoulders.
"What?" Jaz smiled and leaned into him.
His smiling grey eyes looked into her. "She's great."
Jaz laughed. "Yeah, she is. I'm just happy you're still sitting here."
"Of course, I am." He pressed his lips together. "Do you think I passed her test?"
"I hope so. I don't even know what she was trying to do."
"What? Am I the first boyfriend she's ever interrogated? " He smirked.
Jaz bit her lower lip, not knowing how to reply to that. She never told him that he was the first guy she's ever been serious about. Her first date in her entire life was with a guy who just wanted to get in her pants, and that didn't end so well. After that, she decided to put her dating life on hold...until she met Emmett. So far he's proven to be the man of her dreams, who was now looking at her in a weird way.
"I am, aren't I?" He removed his arm from her shoulders, and turned his body to face her. His expression showed a cross between confusion and worry. "Did I do something wrong? Did you tell her about what happened last week, and now she's –"
She waved her hand to stop him. "I didn't tell her anything, and no you didn't do anything wrong. What happened last week is dealt with, and nothing was your fault."
"Ok. But I am the first boyfriend she's questioned...right?"
"Yeah." Jaz took a deep breath before continuing, but then caught what he said. "Wait. Boyfriend?"
Emmett scrunched up his face and smiled. "Um, yeah. Isn't that what we are?"
"Uh..."
We are? I don't know. I've never done this before.
"Sure?" Jaz replied in an awkward tone.
His eyebrows drew together and he looked even more confused than before. "Jaz, if a label isn't what you want, then that's fine. I'm sorry for assuming things, but I am curious to hear what you think this is, because I want to be on the same page as you."
"I mean, uh, I'm fine with you being my boyfriend. It's just that...I, uh. I never had one before." She pressed her lips tightly together and took in deep breaths, anticipating his reaction.
He gave her a questioning stare, and he looked like he was waiting for her to say that she was joking. After a moment of silence, understanding dawned in his eyes, and he sat up straighter in his seat. "I'm your first boyfriend? Ever?" he asked in disbelief.
She forced out a short laugh and nodded her head.
"Really?" He cocked his head at her. When she nodded once again, he leaned back in his seat. "Do you mind me asking why?"
"No one really asked, and I guess it was never a priority for me so I didn't bother putting myself out there." She shrugged a shoulder, not sure what else to say.
He squinted his eyes at her. "So everything we've ever done; after the hike and even after the party. Was that all a first for you?"
"Yeah, it was." She held her breath, and her fingers twitched in her lap as she waited for his reply.
He spoke quietly, "That's cool."
Jaz let out a laugh. "Cool?"
A smile grew on his lips as he looked at her. "I'm not turned off, if that's what you were waiting for. It's actually kind of hot."
Jaz laughed in disbelief and shook her head at him.
Uh, what the fuck?
"And how is it hot, if I may ask?"
Emmett grabbed her hand and held it in his. His warm touch comforted her, and sent a tingly feeling throughout her body. "I'm the first guy you've ever let get that close to you. I'm honored. So yeah, it's hot."
She blushed and felt heat begin to rise up her neck. "Well, thank you. I think. All of this doesn't bother you?"
"No, I don't see why it should. Like I said before, we'll go at your pace. If I ever go too far, you tell me, and I'll stop. I promise." He leaned towards her, and gave her a gentle kiss, as if to seal his promise. "Now, c'mon. Help me wash the dishes."
Jaz cocked an eyebrow at him. "I don't know. You were the one that volunteered, not me." She got up from her seat to carry her plates to the sink.
Emmett placed a hand to his chest in mock surprise. "And what are you going to do? Sit and watch?"
"Yea, why not?" She pressed her lips together as her eyes sparkled at him. After a few seconds of him squinting his eyes at her, she rolled her eyes and turned towards the sink. "Ok calm down, I can help, you big baby."