Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 166

"So our first stop is coffee, right?" I asked as I took a selfie and sent it to our group chat.

"Of course, love, I know how cranky you are without your caffeine," Patrick grinned, glancing at me just long enough for me to stick my tongue out at him. He chuckled as he focused back on the road, and I checked the GPS to make sure our route took us to a coffee shop. The ride turned out to be much prettier than I had expected. None of the trees had begun to change color, but I wanted to do this drive again when fall came. It would be beautiful with all the changing colors, and I wanted to share it with all the guys.

After we stopped for coffee, I snapped a picture of us with coffee in hand and sent it to the guys. We got back on the road, and our next stop was a little town not far off the interstate. The anxiety over meeting more of Patrick's extended family had abated as Patrick pulled into the little town, and I was bouncing in my seat like a little kid by the time we parked.

Patrick caught my hand, pulled me over to the cute welcome sign for the town, and snapped a picture of us to send to the guys. We explored the main street. When I spotted a cute little inn, I squeezed Patrick's hand. "I want to come back here too," I told him. The town was quiet, but the shops were open, and the people were all friendly. We went into a bakery that also sold breakfast and coffee and came out carrying bags of pastries for later.

The minute I spotted the bookstore, which was the main reason for stopping here, Patrick let out a good-natured groan as he held the door open for me. We spent way more time in the bookstore than I intended, but I was having fun. While the city was great, it was always loud and busy with people everywhere. This little town was just the opposite, and while it might be a little too slow and quiet for me, I still loved it.

I was practically skipping back to the car. I had gotten surprises for each guy, and Patrick had even found a few books for himself. I offered to drive, and Patrick updated the guys on our stop while I got us back to the interstate. They didn't respond right away, but they were all probably busy. It took another two hours to get to the small coastal town where Patrick's family beach house was, and I switched out with Patrick since he knew where he was going; plus, I wanted to look at the ocean.

Patrick parked in a charming cul-de-sac with only three houses, all backing up to a private beach. The house he led me to was at least two stories and had an enormous front porch that extended well past the door. It was painted a cheerful shade of yellow with white trim and an actual picket fence around the front yard.

at it all and almost couldn't move any

"Breath," he murmured. "My parents love

earlier nerves surged to the surface. The front door opened, and Shannon and Connor stepped out, both wearing huge smiles. It

I would treasure. My hesitation and anxiety gave way to happiness when Shannon hurried down the sidewalk to greet me, wrapping me in a warm hug. I relaxed into her as she squeezed me with one of the best

a recliner where he sat with his leg still in a

bookstore." I looked down at my feet, blushing, but glanced up at Patrick when he yelped and stepped away from his

arm.

have been much better if you had spent half as much

I graduated, didn't I?" He

I didn't mean to embarrass you." I smiled, linking my hand with

Patrick, let's take this stuff up to the guest room while the girls chat," Conner said. Patrick

loud shouts came behind me, but Shannon shook her head. "Men, I swear," she

just as his mother told me about the stew

two sisters and their families will be here tomorrow, but don't