1CHAPTER 7

The next day Emma felt a little better. She had serious conversation with Craig last night on the phone before she went to bed, just to reassure herself that nothing was weird between the two of them. Of course being the great friend she was glad to have back; he was glad to assist her in any way he could.

He also needed the reassurance that nothing was bothering her, especially when she told him what happened in the basement. At first he freaked out and wanted to beat Jay down, but Emma had convinced him that she had handled it and could handle anything that Jay swung her way from now on.

Emma had a pretty good feeling that she wouldn't be seeing that much of Jay anymore. I mean what kind of 'moron' tries to get with someone after she tells him to stay away AND that she was happy with her boyfriend. 'Well' pretend boyfriend that is, but Jay Hogart did not need to know that little detail. It was none of is business. She never was. She still could not shake the feeling of what she felt yesterday.

She was sitting on the stool behind the counter of the store staring at her paperwork. Poe said the paperwork was to be done every morning in detail of the day before's sales and their personal transactions.

Emma couldn't seem to even write the date lat alone start on the details. The only detail she could remember yesterday was the feel of Jay's hands on her body. She closed her eyes tight and shuddered. Her lips burned still from the touch of his. She still couldn't believe how she had reacted to him. She mentally kicked herself. Feeling her face crunch up in concentration. She didn't care who saw.

Craig sitting next to her doing his paperwork had noticed from the corner of his eye that Emma wasn't writing just staring. When he looked over he saw her eyes closed tight and a pained look on her face.

"Emma? Open your eyes and do your paperwork."

"I can't Craig... I think I need a moment to myself."

When he started to get up Emma motioned for him to sit back down. "I'll be fine, I need to be alone."

"Are you sure? I can come outside and sit with you, I mean..."

She cut him off. "Alone."

"Okay. I'll be here if you need me though" he looked down defeated at his papers.

"Thanks Craig. You know you are the first I'll come to if I need something."

With that she headed out the door and went around to the side of the building. Walking along the side of the wall she found a spot almost towards the very back and slid down to sit. She brought her knees up to her chest and placed her head on her knees. She closed her eyes tight. Seeing the same thing she had all night before she slept and in her dreams.

She sighed.

Those beautiful blue eyes.

That sexy luscious full kissable mouth.

His tight jaw bunched up as she ran her tongue along it.

Nibbling on his lower lip when I ran my mouth smoothly across his.

"Mmmm"

"Stop it Emma... just stop."

"Great now a new thing to add to my list of crazy, I talk to myself..."

She laughed out loud.

"And as I declare it I keep doing it."

"Ohhh"

Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it.

Why am I letting him do this to me. He does this to me. No one else can do it. I always have so much power over everything , but when it comes to him. I can't stop.

"Why?"

I asked myself still with my eyes closed, then I heard him slide down next to me.

"Now you know what it was like for me"

I looked over at Craig, I had pretty good idea what he was saying though. My eyebrows furrowed and I think he thought I was mad that he came out even though I said I wanted privacy.

"I know you said that..."

"No, no you can stay."

There was a silence that was killing me. I had to ask, I can't keep quiet anymore.

"Do you still fell that way?"

"You mean?..."

"About her?"

"Yeah."

"I can't help it Emma. I'll always think about Manny. It is an on going curse."

He shrugged helplessly.

I placed my head on his shoulder.

"Sorry."

He sighed, "Me too... me too."

"Craig... I know we've only officially been friends for like... three days...but.."

We both laughed. It had only been three days, but to the both of us it feels like we never drifted apart. And it felt real good. To the both of us.

"I know Emma, I love you too. I don't want anything to come between us. I'm gonna try my hardest to not let a damn thing hurt our friendship if you promise to as well."

"Deal Craig. Friends. I think we can be officially corny and say Forever right."

We both laughed.

He put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed my close kissing the top of my head. "Right"

"I mean you are right about what you said the other night Emma, if our parents can do it, we can of course."

I smiled big, he grunted like he felt me do it.

"And don't let that go to your head Nelson, I know how you are. Miss Know-It-All."

"Miss Know-It-All huh? You said it I didn't. But now that you said it, I am pretty damn smart now aren't I?"

"Yeah whatever..."

We both laughed and I relaxed in his arms as he started to talk more. About nothing particular just stuff, mainly joking about our future and comparing us to our parents saying what we will be like in ten years from now.

Then I thought as I distantly listened to him ramble. Who is supposed to be his wife in this. Who will Craig be with. I didn't much care for me, but I did Craig.

Listening to him talk about us raising our kids together and living next door to each other and having bar-b-ques and such.

He sure does plan like a girl.

I kind of giggled, at which he thought was at one of his jokes so he went on.

In our future, we have kids; but who are our spouses?

That's it. This will be great.

He still loves her.

She still loves him.

Cue the super-hero music everyone...

I am going to get Craig and Manny back together.

He says that he thinks about her all the time. It was his everyday torture.

That means if I try hard enough it will work.

My smile got even bigger. Manny was going to be here In five more weeks. I can do this. I always do good with causes.

Ooppss'

Maybe I shouldn't think of it like that. I should think of it as making my two best friends happy and end up with the people they are supposed to be with.

Yeah!'

We sat there for about another thirty minutes talking a little, all the while, while I think of plans to get them back together.

The rest of the day went smooth. I didn't think of Jay not once I was too preoccupied thinking all the great plans I had. One included getting Marco to help.

This was going to be great.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Emma is getting her confidence back and puts it to good use. I love every reply I get. You guys are awesome. I do have one loyal fan though so far:XxAnGeL02xX - I will try to keep this good if you keep reading.

As well as all the others who read. I will try my best to do good for the story. I hope you readers keep liking it.

Thanks

Peace ISA