A California Christmas (Silver Springs #7) - Brenda Novak Page 0,4
wedding—and she hadn’t looked that far ahead. She’d simply jumped at the chance to escape LA and go somewhere no one would think to look for her, so she could create a buffer between her and the harsh judgment and salacious interest she’d received once Ethan Grimes posted that video online.
Had coming here been a mistake?
She eyed the suitcase she’d stashed at the end of the dresser. She’d emptied her clothes into the closet and a chest of drawers so she wouldn’t have to dig through all of the belongings she’d brought with her every time she needed to change. But she could pack and fly to Boston, get out of California entirely. She would’ve done that to begin with if her parents weren’t facing their own problems. They each blamed the other for the breakdown of their marriage, so whenever she talked to them, she felt as though she was being torn in two—literally ripped apart.
That was more than she could take right now. She also knew her savings would dwindle fast if she wasn’t careful, so she’d been hesitant to spend money on flights she could avoid.
Emery winced at the sound of a knock on the door, then made a face at herself in the mirror. She looked terrible. Her eyes were puffy and her skin blotchy from all the tears she’d cried, her hair was a tangled mop she had yet to comb and what she’d thrown on immediately upon returning to her room covered her but didn’t match.
Those small things were the least of her concerns, however. She had to figure out some way to recover from the devastation of losing her boyfriend, her job and, worst of all, her reputation. She had to forget what’d happened at KQLA and focus on the future so she could decide what to do next. But she was so distraught by what other people were seeing when they logged on to the internet and searched for “Emery Bliss sex video” she could hardly cope. This was easily the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen to her.
After clearing her throat so that she’d be able to talk in spite of the large lump that threatened to choke her, she peeked into the hall.
Aiyana stood there holding a bowl of Mini-Wheats and wearing the brightly colored clothes and turquoise jewelry she preferred, her black hair falling down her back in a thick braid. “I’m sorry if Dallas surprised you, dear. I should’ve called. I honestly didn’t think of it, or I would have.”
“No, of course you didn’t need to call,” she said. “This is your house.”
“We had a last-minute change of plans, but we will be leaving again shortly and then we’ll be gone for the rest of the day.” She handed Emery the bowl. “Here, you left your breakfast on the counter, so I added some milk and brought it up.”
“Thank you.” Emery managed a smile for Aiyana’s kindness—but then her lip began to tremble.
Aiyana took the bowl back and set it aside before drawing Emery into her arms. “It’s going to be okay.”
The scent of her flowery perfume filled Emery’s nostrils as she rested her head on the smaller woman’s shoulder. Aiyana was only about five feet tall but she had the biggest heart of anyone Emery had ever met, and the solidness of her embrace felt so convincing and nurturing that Emery was loath to let her go.
“You don’t have to worry about Dallas staying here the next few weeks,” Aiyana said when she pulled back. “He won’t bother you.”
“I don’t want to get in anyone’s way...”
“You’re not in anyone’s way. There are eight bedrooms in this house. And Dallas doesn’t mind that you’re here. As a matter of fact, if I know my son, he’ll end up being your best friend and your fiercest protector.”
She sniffed, still trying to hold back tears—now caused by the sympathy she was receiving instead of her former mortification.
She thanked Aiyana, and Aiyana said goodbye before heading down the stairs.
When Emery closed the door, she took her cereal and crawled into bed. She’d known as soon as she’d felt Aiyana’s arms go around her that she wouldn’t pack up and leave. Maybe this wasn’t her home, but she felt welcome here. If she stayed, she wouldn’t have to face the outside world, wouldn’t have to pick sides in her parents’ divorce and wouldn’t have to witness the decline of her ailing grandmother—not until she felt stronger.