Strings (1 of 2)

[Emily's POV]

"Jake is too nice for you. He isn't your typical bad boy hookup type." I laugh and Jade joins in, shaking her head.

"I can be good too." She wiggles her eyebrows with a smirk.

"Babe, give it a rest. At least meet him first." Santana reasons with her, giving me a pointed look that means to introduce them so we can stop hearing about it.

"I'm working Monday. Come by after lunch." I groan, giving in and Jade smiles widely, pleased with winning the battle after weeks of deterring her.

Santana and I both laugh at our boy crazy friend. Poor Jake... he really is too nice for her. I love her, but she isn't ready for someone like him. Alex would be better for him.

However, maybe he would be good for Jade... to stabilize her a bit. Maybe he will be the one to make her settle down.

Probably not... but worth a try.

"I'll be there." Jade nods excitedly. I have no idea why she wants to meet this boy so badly but if it will make her shut up finally, fine.

As we all laugh, something red catches my eye in my peripheral vision. I turn and see Nathan talking to some woman in a red dress. She's thin but curvy. I can't see her face but it is clear she is beautiful. Nathan looks upset... no... more cold than upset. He definitely seems caught off guard. I wonder who she is.

Maybe his sister?

An ex?

A friend?

Maybe another friends with benefits.

My chest tightens at that thought, but I try to push it aside. I can't feel that way after everything I have said to him about his jealousy. I can't care...

His eyes flick to mine and widen slightly before flicking back to her face.

"Em... Emily... Helloooo..."

I pry my eyes away from them and turn toward my friends.

"Sorry."

They give me a funny look and Santana speaks first, smirking.

"I was saying that I really want you to meet the doctor."

"Who?" I ask. Why would I need a doctor?

"The doctor. Mark's friend." She clarifies like it should mean something to me but my brain is too focused on Nathan and the woman to remember what this means.

"Hmm," I mumble as I look away for a split second towards the door. I don't see either of them now... maybe they went outside.

"Emily!" Jade yells and I snap back to reality.

"What is wrong with you? Drink too much?" Santana says, her worry clear in her undertone.

I glare at them for the accusation. "No. Don't worry about me. It won't happen again, I told you." I reassure them - and myself - while trying to stop the thoughts spinning in my head of where he went.

"Let's start over..." Santana offers with an apologetic smile and I nod, trying to give her my attention. "I want you to meet Mark's friend the doctor who I mentioned to you at your house last week. He's a nice guy. Single. Hot."

I remember now. I thought I told her no, though. I don't really need to go on a date. I'm moving and I have Nathan. He is more than enough to juggle... wherever he is...

"I don't think so." I say and sip my drink.

"Em, you should go. Worst case, he sucks and you get a free dinner." Jade giggles and I grin.