the first

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chapter 9:
the first


"Emmie!" As I walked into the bar, a pair of strong arms engulfed me into a hug, and I couldn't help but to laugh as I wrapped my arms around Reese's waist

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"Emmie!" As I walked into the bar, a pair of strong arms engulfed me into a hug, and I couldn't help but to laugh as I wrapped my arms around Reese's waist.

Reese, Graham's older brother, never ceased to give me a hug and make as big of a scene as possible when he saw me.

"Hey, Reese," I replied before we pulled away. "Can you believe I showed up?"

"Hardly," Reese joked, smiling down at me before suddenly realizing I wasn't alone. "Well, who's this?"

"Oh, Reese, this is Calum... um, we're... well, he's—" I sighed as I struggled to introduced Calum, but I cleared my throat and tried again. "A new addition to the world of Emmie. Calum, this is Reese, my... half-boss, half-partner."

"She really runs this place," Reese told Calum before sticking out his hand, waiting for Calum to shake it; which he did. "It's nice to meet you, man."

"You too," Calum said, giving him a smile.

"Calum's gonna help me judge the most recent round of drinks... I've been dying to get into it," I told Reese as we started to walk further into the bar and behind the counter, to the back of the building where my office and Reese's office were located.

"You think he's got what it takes?" Reese asked, acting as though it was a serious job.

"I sure do, chief. He won't let us down," I told Reese, which caused him to laugh quietly. "Isn't that right, Calum?"

"I've never been so prepared for something in my whole life. I've actually spent my entire life getting ready for this moment," Calum promised, playing along with our act. "But what kind of alcohol are we dealing with?"

"Emmie usually only goes for the hard liquor, so—"

"Oh, shut up," I told Reese as I rolled my eyes. "I do not."

"You do sometimes... but I'd much rather see you down hard liquor than see you anywhere near red wine." Reese made a face and Calum laughed loudly, clearly knowing my wine stories. "Oh, he knows."

"He's heard, but he hasn't experienced. I'm not even that bad! You do one thing and you have an everlasting reputation." I crossed my arms over my chest to show that I didn't think it was fair that I had been labeled as scary when wine drunk.

"You nearly killed Cass," Reese reminded me and I saw Calum's eyes widen.

"The girl was Cassidy?" Calum asked and I sighed quietly as I pinched the upper bridge of my nose. "That changes everything."

"Okay, look," I said, wanting them both to give me a chance to speak, "she lived and that's what matters!"

"Cassidy's got some scary luck," Reese said and I gently pinched his arm, wishing he'd give me a break. "So, you know Cass?" Reese looked at Calum as he spoke and they began to talk.

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