Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 189

Emma stepped out of the car, pulling the door shut behind her. On the other side, Theodore got out as well.

The moment his feet touched the pavement, a sweet, lilting voice called out, “Theo—!”

Cecilia.

Was there anywhere she wouldn’t bump into Cecilia?

Theodore looked just as surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“You said you’d pick up a milkshake for me, didn’t you? This is the only mall on your way to meet me that has the flavor I want, so I came here to wait for you.” Cecilia’s voice was bubbly and flirtatious. “I just wanted to see you sooner…”

Emma stood by the curb, phone in hand, tracking her ride. The driver was still four minutes away.

Cecilia only seemed to notice her now, her eyes widening in surprise. “Oh, Emma, you’re here too? I had no idea…”

“We just had something to take care of together,” Theodore said, glancing at the bags behind her. “Where are your things?”

“Oh, I couldn’t carry everything, so I left it at the front of the supermarket. We’ll pass by there anyway—I figured we could stop and pick it up later.” Cecilia bounced on her toes in front of Theodore, grinning. “I came to get you, after all.”

That made Theodore laugh, bright and unrestrained. “You came to get me? Well, thanks, I guess.”

Emma kept her eyes fixed on the road, pretending not to notice the two of them. Still, Theodore’s laughter was impossible to ignore.

Of course. When you really like someone, everything they do seems charming.

She let out a faint, wry smile and glanced down at her phone. Another minute gone—three left.

“Emma…” Cecilia drifted closer, refusing to be ignored.

Emma tilted her head and met her gaze.

“I’m sorry for pulling Theo away from you,” Cecilia said, putting on a pitiful face.

Emma: Seriously, Theodore? Since when did you get to speak for me?

“Go have fun, you two. Don’t worry about me,” Emma said, forcing a smile. Could they stop making her a prop in their little act? They could do whatever they wanted; she didn’t care.

“But Emma’s always disliked me. Last time was my fault…” Cecilia looked at Theodore with teary eyes. “I owe her an apology, I want to make amends…”

Emma had had enough. “If you want to apologize to me, shouldn’t you look at me while you say it? What’s the point of looking at him? He isn’t me.”

“Emma!” Theodore frowned, pulling her aside and lowering his voice. “I just told Cici you were above all this, that you wouldn’t get upset. Why are you acting like this now?”

“I’m not upset! Just go and do whatever you want, and leave me out of it. I don’t care what you two get up to, and I definitely don’t want to see it.” She shook off his hand.

“See? You say you’re not mad, but look at you.”

“I’m really not mad. Because you two aren’t worth it, understand? I have better things to do. My ride’s here—move.”