"Are you okay?!" yelled Derek running up.
Reluctantly, Embry and I pulled away from each other. He still held me, though.
Did I almost kiss I just met a few hours ago? I asked myself Woah..I'm such a hoe..
I let out a little laugh. Embry looked down and smiled. He too, seemed wrapped in his own thoughts.
"I'm fine," I assured him, with a bit of edge in my voice.
"Here, let's take you back," said Derek reaching his arms out towards me.
I felt Embry's grip constrict tighter around me.
"I can take her," said Embry already walking towards the beach. I looked and saw everyone staring at us. They looked scared. I gave a slight wave as if trying to say I was okay and that seemed to calm them...or so I hoped.
Derek then came next us and put the towel over my waist. My cheeks immediately flame. I then heard, and felt, Embry chuckle a bit. I blushed harder.
"How did you get there so fast?" Derek asked Embry.
I swear I could feel Embry tense up, but then I saw him glance down at me and he seemed to relax.
"I felt the wind pick up. I turned and saw her starting to stumble. I knew if she fell, which she did, I would have to be there within seconds. I ran as fast as I could and luckily made it on time." he said nonchalantly...a little bit too nonchalantly. Now that I thought about it, he was pretty far away. He would have had to have a major adrenaline rush to come over so quickly.
"Oh, well I could have sworn you were right next to me when she screamed...I guess it all just happened so fast..I must have not been paying attention." said Derek, but clearly not believing what he was saying.
"Could be," said Embry.
We arrived back at the tent where everyone immediately crowded around me. Only Embry, Seth, and Quil seemed to back away. I then noticed that the three walked away from everyone...obviously arguing. The stopped at a distance far from everyone. I assured them all I was fine then went to change into my clothes (black t-shirt, jeans, and converses). Before I slipped behind my "changing area" I swear I felt someone...or someones...staring at me. And I didn't need to be a psychic to know who they were.
After I had changed, almost everyone had left. Believe me, after a photo shoot, all anyone wants to do is go home and soak their feet. I sat down to put my shoes on and Derek immediately came to my side and asked if I was okay.
"I told you I'm fine," I assured him with a slight annoyance in my voice.
"I'm just making sure, " he said, "It all just happened so fast...I thought I was going to lose you...again."
I froze. Again...the word echoed in my head. Tears sprang to my eyes as I turned to face Derek.
"Why bring it up?" I begged my voice cracking.
"I'm sorry!" he said and sat next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and I almost started crying. Almost. Not here my mind warned. I then heard fast footsteps. I lifted my head to see three pairs of legs coming towards me.
"What's wrong?" Embry immediately asked.
Derek and I exchanged a look which I'm sure the guys noticed.
"I...um...I guess...I guess the fall got to me. I'm just a little freaked," I lied.
Though they didn't look convinced, they let it go. Derek got up then offered me his hand. I took it and stood up, wiping away the sand.
There was an awkward silence between all of us, then Quil cleared his throat.
"So this clearly was interesting, but fun," he said.
I smiled. Suddenly, I heard something in the distance. It sounded like...howling? Derek didn't seem to notice, but the others did.
"Babe, I'm heading out. I will see you in a few," said Derek with his phone pressed to his ear. He then leaned down and gave me a swift kiss on the lips.
I just sighed and nodded. I turned to get the rest of my stuff when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I glanced back and saw Embry glaring at me, but he also looked sad. He was even shaking.
Could "the kiss" have bothered him? I wondered. Now that I thought about it, it did leave me feeling strange. Usually when Derek gave me a "peck" (that's what I call it) it felt normal. Now it felt...wrong.
I full turned around and saw Quil removing a hand from Embry's shoulder. It seemed to calm him down, but he still looked hurt.
"So...um...Ms. Marcia, how long have you and Derek been going out?" asked Seth cautiously.
I laughed.
"First off, call me M.J. and second, Derek and I are not going out," I stated.
Well, not anymore, my mind corrected.
"Well, M.J., why did you kiss him then?..Do you guys have a "friends with benefits" type of relationship?" said Embry angrily.
I made him jealous! I thought proudly.
"Um...eew! I have known Derek since I was a kid. He's like my brother. We don't see anything wrong with it. I even do it with Benny! But then again, he is gay, but either way it's not really a big deal," I explained.
Embry immediately seemed to relax, but seemed lost in his thoughts.
"We have to go," said Seth pulling at the other two's arms. He seemed to whisper something to them, but I didn't catch it.
"Well, it was great meeting you guys and thanks for the help. Your checks will be coming soon. Which reminds me, I need your addresses." I said pulling out a pen and paper.
I handed towards them, but they seemed confused.
"Checks?" asked Quil.
"Yeah...you guys were in the shoot, so you were technically working. Work equals pay. I thought you knew you were getting paid..."
"Nope, but cool," said Quil jotting his info down. He then handed it to Seth, who handed it to Embry, then back to me. Our fingertips slightly brushed and I felt a shock go through me. I smiled, putting the paper and pen away. I looked up and he was smiling too.
"Okay, so you guys should get your checks of $850 each by...I'm guessing...no later than the end of this week," I informed them.
"$850?!?!" Seth asked.
"Um..yeah."
"Where's the nearest modeling school? I'm signing up," said Quil pretending to look around. We all laughed. Then I distinctly heard a howl once more.
"Well it was awesome meeting you, but we really have to go." said Seth. He came over and gave me a hug.
"Same here," said Quil as he came over, hugged me, and gave me a peck on the cheek. Both hugs left me a bit breathless. These guys were strong!
They started to walk away, but Embry stayed put.
"Embry?" asked Seth.
"Yeah..um..I'll be right there," he said.
The two guys shrugged it off and waved bye.
Embry and I just stood there, when he finally broke the silence.
"It was really lucky for me to meet you...I...uh...mean that we all got to meet you," he said nervously.
"Or fate that I met you," I whispered.
Where'd that come from? I asked myself.
Embry smiled and my cheeks burned. Oh my gosh he heard!
"So...can I see you again...I mean we...can we see you again?" he asked.
I deliberated. He seemed like a nice (HOT) guy.
Are you willing to take the chance? I asked myself.
"Yes," I said answering him and myself.
"Cool," he said as he widely grinned.
I then took out my pen once more and reached for his hand. As soon as I grabbed his hand, I felt that jolt I had experienced before. I let my hand rest in his for a few seconds. They seemed to perfectly match each other, like if they were molded to fit each other. I snapped out of my daze and wrote down my number. I felt Embry get closer to look at what I was writing.
"This is my cell number. Call me," I said looking up. His face was so close. It took all of my will power not to just grab him and kiss him.
"Will do," he breathed. He equally seemed mesmerized.
I don't know how long we stood looking at each other, but finally I backed away.
"I got to go," I reluctantly said.
He just nodded. He then wrapped his arms around me and I immediately melted. I felt safe in his arms...and peaceful...and happy...and...whole.
Snap out of it! my mind screamed.
I pulled away, but he held me tighter. I didn't mind.
He then leaned closer and kissed me...on the cheek.
My world literally burst into fireworks!
"I'll catch you later," he whispered pulling away then walking away.
I stood there watching him go. I'm guessing he eventually felt me looking because he turned, smiled, and waved. I waved back.
I gathered the rest of my things and headed towards the limo. I climbed in and was shocked to see Derek there flipping through a magazine.
"Well hello there," he said in a sarcastic tone.
"Hi...what are you doing here?"
"Only one car...saving gas," he said.
"Okay?"
"So about Embry..."
"Ugh, what?"
"You seemed interested."
"So?" I pressed.
"Just saying, but be careful 'k?"
"Fine." I said turning to look out the window.
Embry. What was it about him. His smile?...laugh?...kiss?...how his arms felt around me?...what was it? I just met the man a few hours ago and I feel like I loved him! I never believed in love at first sight, but...but with Embry, he most certainly changed my mind.
So I told you guys I had finals, but they are history now! WOO-HOO! I will try to update sooner. Reviews are actually very helpful! ;)
P.S. after reading this chapter, I realized I change the tense a lot like going from the past to the present, but I promise to work on that!
