The bell above the door of The Brew alerted Emily to my presence even before I could spot her where she was seated on the sofa in the small lounge area. I hadn't seen her in a few days - since we almost kissed on my couch over a tattoo design - which only made the swarm of butterflies in my stomach more furious.

She was dressed down in a relaxed outfit consisting of washed out jeans, a black vest and a gray cardigan. She was radiating warmth and she looked completely innocent. I had to thoroughly contemplate whether appearances could be trusted. My doubts were cast aside quickly, however, when she finally smiled at me and all was good and well and right in the world.

I swear that smile could save all the world from any affliction.

"Sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." I let my bag drop from my shoulder onto the bohemian throw rug and made myself comfortable in the oversized lounge chair adjacent to Emily.

She shrugged and leaned back in her spot, sinking comfortably into the couch. "I just got off shift, so your timing is perfect."

"Oh? Where do you work?" I asked curiously while reaching for the menu.

She reached out quickly and placed her hand on top of mine before I could lift the menu. "Here. I'm just waiting for Scott to bring our order. I guessed you were the strong, sweet type?"

I blinked at our hands as I let the fire from her skin spread slowly up my arm. "I'm not sure whether you're referring to my coffee or my character."

"Maybe both." She giggled and leaned back once more, her eyes sparkling at me.

Our coffees soon arrived and I was pleased to find that the ratio Emily had settled on was absolutely perfect. Somehow she managed to read me like a book and I loved it.

I would happily spread my pages for her.

Yes, pun intended.

I feared for a second that my lame thoughts were showing on my face when I realized Emily was staring at me with concern.

"What?"

"What happened to your eye?"

I frowned, now confused as well, and reached for my left eye.

"No, this one."

Her warm palm settled against my cheek as her thumb rubbed over my right cheekbone and all I could do was melt into her touch.

"What is that?" She showed me the black residue where her thumb rubbed it from my face and I quickly realized that I must have smeared ink on myself again.

"Ah shit, sorry. Comes with the territory." I chuckled and rubbed the rest from my face.

She shoved me lightly and cursed under her breath, "Geez, I thought someone had punched you or something!"

"Aww, why, were you about to march into battle for my honor?" I teased as I grabbed my coffee and leaned back in my seat once more.

"I reckon I'd look pretty good in a suit of shiny armor." Her eyes sparkled and I couldn't help but agree. Emily would no doubt look good in a brown paper bag.

"And let me guess, I'm expected to wear the poofy dress?" The image didn't sit right with me.

Apparently the image didn't quite sit all too well with Emily either, judging by the way she wrinkled her nose and bit her bottom lip in an effort to not laugh. "Well if we both wore armor it'd be kind of uncomfortable."

I chuckled and nodded in agreement, then added, "I think armor would be uncomfortable, period."

"Okay we can both wear dresses, if it pleases you." She wagged her perfectly sculpted brows at me.

"You in a dress pleases me. I'll stick to my jeans, thanks." I couldn't help but lick my lips subtly at the picture that infiltrated my mind.

"That's a relief. You look good in them." And evidently she couldn't resist doing the same.

There was a lull in our banter as we simply watched each other, our cheeks glowing wonderfully warm as we bathed in the tingling sensation of the other's scrutiny.

"You are quite the flirt, Miss Fields." I grinned and my eyes pulled into slits beneath my lowered brows as I watched her closely.

She chuckled in return and cocked her head to one side. "I don't see you complaining."

I leaned a little closer, slowly being reeled in. "If I complain, would you stop?"

"Probably not." She was proud of that answer, I could tell.

Yet I was bothered. My smile faded. "And what about your new friend?"

Emily frowned. "My friend?"

I sighed, more in irritation at myself for ruining such a beautiful mood, and ran my hand through my hair with a hint of frustration. "Come on Em... What's the deal with you and Shay?"

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and took a deep breath, composing herself for a second before she attempted to answer.

"I like her, honestly... As a friend she's really cool. I have fun hanging out with her." Her eyes darted towards me and she leaned forward slightly, elbows coming to rest on her knees.

"Look Paige, I know you suspect that you're the reason I befriended her, but that's not how it happened. I only found out about you halfway through a cup of coffee after our class the one day.

She paused briefly before lowering her voice to continue. "However, I will admit that finding out about you gave me another reason to stick around Shay. I'm not proud of that fact."

I felt a familiar wrench in my gut.

A wrench named 'guilt'.

"Shay has no idea..." I breathed slowly in reply.

"I know..." She said.

"This doesn't seem right..." I lowered my head and leaned even closer towards her.

She reached out to me. Her hand was warm and soft and gentle where it rested on mine. "It's not. But I can't stay away from you..." She whispered and I watched mesmerized as her fingers curled around mine.

"Em..."

My heart was thundering in my ears. I knew that should I reach out to Emily I would not be rejected. I knew that should I invite her back to my place she'll come with me. I knew that should I decide to act on this magnetic connection and all consuming obsession, there'd be no turning back.

"Alison is back."

Wait, what?

What the fuck?

I didn't verbalize myself, but my expression was enough to prompt her to explain the carpet she had so suddenly and so effortlessly yanked from beneath my feet.

"I'm not sure why. She asked to meet with me tomorrow night. But Paige..."

I let go of her hand and leaned back, rubbing my palms restlessly along my jeans. She tried to say something, but it was clear I wasn't listening.

I was seriously just considering cheating on my girlfriend. What the hell was I thinking?

I suddenly jumped to my feet, my skin crawling enough to tell me that I needed to remove myself from the current situation. Fast. "Goodluck Em. I've got to go."

"Paige wait." I could see the pain in Emily's eyes. I could see their deep brown turn glossy. I could see myself simply pulling her close and wrapping her up in my arms.

I could also see how much hurt lay ahead should I do so.

"I'll see you on Friday." I attempted a smile and grabbed my bag. "Thanks for the coffee."

Indeed, what the freaking hell was I thinking.

"Paige? It's like..."

"Three in the morning, I know."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Yes. Maybe." I sighed deeply and dropped my head into my free hand, the other clutching my phone painfully tight.

"Well it must be something, considering..."

"I need advice." I cut her off.

"From me? Where are Rachel and Brian?"

"They'll judge."

"Dear God, what have you done?"

I sighed...

"I've been having impure thoughts..."