âHave you heard much about this volunteer week coming up?â Emily asked the person next to her, holding out her phone to show them the post. âIâm torn, part of me wants to try to do something big but at the same time I wouldnât mind offering my time for more free piano lessons. I really usually only hold lessons for kids but I know there are plenty adults who might like to learn. Do you think thatâd count for something?â
âItâs nothing really itâs the least I can do.â Fawn spoke genuinely, offering the other an assuring smile. It was obvious to her that it wasnât just the little creature she had to worry about at the moment. Emily looked pretty shaken up by the whole thing, which of course was understandable. âHey itâs alright little guy-â The brunette spoke softly to the small animal as she carefully unwrapped the swaddle so she could get a little closer look at the animal. âItâs okay Em really, I donât think youâre crazy. Itâs amazing you brought him in to see someone, not everyone would have done that.â Which was true, sheâs seen enough animals who people had obviously neglected or had seen and left to fend for themselves. The fact that Emily had wanted to help him let alone call Fawn to ask for help was wonderful in her eyes. It showed she cared, which was all the brunette could ever ask for. âAre you okay though? It must have been a shock for you. There is a bathroom and kitchen around the back if you wanted a minute and a drink while I have a look at him.â
For a moment all Emily could do was watch Fawn take the little guy and unwrap him to examine him. He was so tiny and other than helping her parents growing up when they were trimming her dogâs nails, she had absolutely no experience whatsoever helping animals so on top of having no idea what to do, she couldnât imagine working on something so small. Emily found herself drifting away from her thoughts, it wasnât until after a minute or two she even realized Fawn had spoken to her. âHmm?â she replied, looking at her, probably a little wide eyed. âOh, yeah, yeah,â she nodded, âIâm okay, yeah Iâm fine, I mean itâs a little scary. Heâs tiny and I was so scared of hurting him more by picking him up, itâs a wonder he didnât try to scurry away, I was afraid for a minute that he might try to jump out of my arms. But thank you, I may get some water, that might help..â the brunette declared with a nod before disappearing for a moment to get a glass of water. She wasnât gone long though, a part of what Fawn did fascinated her so fif it was just for moral support, Emily wanted to be close by.
âHonestly Iâm just so glad thereâs someone who gets me. Donât get me wrong, I quite enjoy the bright colors of the flowers but.. Iâm still going to wear my blacks and dark blues. I just canât help myself.â
When Fawn had gotten the call from Emily, of course her response was yes. The last thing she was going to do was not help a friend or animal in need. She headed back to work and unlocked it, because as much as sheâd be willing to help at home, Fawn highly doubted Dessa would want a squirrel in their apartment. Which was fair enough. Hearing the knock, the brunette opened the door, concern laced in with her soft smile as she greeted Emily. âHey no no- donât worry itâs okay you did the right thing.â Fawn spoke softly touching her arm briefly before stepping aside to let her in. âJust come in and set the little guy on the table carefully for me. Can I ask what happened?â
âYouâre truly an angel.â Emily said with a sigh of relief upon seeing Fawnâs face. Emily was probably overreacting but she just wanted to know the little fella was gonna be okay. âThank you, thank you.â she said softly as she moved through the room and carefully set the swaddled animal on the counter. It was a wonder it wasnât trying to scurry away at the moment. âI think he fell from a short tree or off the top of a fence?â she said, âI was out behind our apartment and heard some rustling by the fence that separates the complex and found this little guy. I was terrified I thought he was dead for a second but saw him breathing. Oh gosh, Fawn you probably think Iâm crazy, I was just so worried.â
âOh no no no...â Emily whispered softly to herself as she looked at the little creature in her arm. While the poor little fella wasnât in dire need, Emily hadnât necessarily known that at the time and was absolutely freaking out. In reality the little squirrel only had an injured leg but erring on the side of caution, Emily immediately called Fawn and asked about coming over. With the young squirrel wrapped in a towel in her arms, Emily knocked softly on the door and held back a few sniffles. She was just too concerned. When Fawn greeted her, Emily tried not to seem too frantic but she wasnât hiding it well. âIâm so sorry, I just didnât know where else to go or what to do..â | @forrestingfawnâ
Liam listened contently as the woman spoke but couldnât help but splutter with laughter as she used the word âdashing. âWow,â He ran his hand over his hair. âI mean there definitely are people who use it, but theyâve usually a few more wrinkles on their face and grey hairs on their head,â Liam laughed against and shrugged. âThanks though. Iâm not really someone to do things by half. Youâre not so bad yourself.â
âThatâs true,â Emily nodded and a shrug followed. Sometimes she felt like a bit of an old soul so that probably explained a lot. Once again her gaze landed on his costume. The details were like something out of a movie or from a costume in a play. âItâs beautiful, seriously.â she admired not only the outfit itself but his choice to wear such a bold outfit. âIt definitely shows and itâs not a bad look on you. Not many men can pull it off so good on you.â A grin appeared across her lips as she looked back at her own dress. It wasnât half as detailed as many of the other gowns she had seen over the course of the night but she felt comfortable. âThank you, though. Itâs not much but I didnât have anyone to impress but myself.â
Liam immediately laughed at the womanâs reaction to being caught. âI think you were looking at me,â He raised his eyebrows teasingly with a light smirk on his face. âBut itâs okay,â The man took a step back and then span to show his look. âItâs certainly a statement but I think thatâs why I like it.â
As soon as Liam called her out her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink and she couldnât react fast enough to shield it from his sight. Emily had to admit she was relieved when he stepped back to show off his look - it did look very fancy. âItâs a good kind of statement, thatâs for sure. You pull it off very well, you look rather.. dashing.â she grinned, âDashing?â she repeated, more as a question to herself. âDo people even say that word anymore?â
As they continued to stare, Liam turned his head quickly so they had no chance to look away. He caught their eyes and raised his eyebrows before taking a couple of steps in their direction. âCan I help?â
Emily honestly hadnât even realized that she had indeed been staring until she heard Liamâs voice aimed in her direction. While one hand was occupied with another nearly empty glass of champagne, Emilyâs free hand made its way to her face and she turned her head slightly to the side, completely embarrassed. Usually Emily wasnât one to stare but tonight she was clearly off her game and a bit tipsy. âDamn..â she muttered under her breath. âUh, no. No itâs alright, I uh.. I wasnât looking at you.â she lied, âI was uhm, looking behind you. Yeah. definitely not at you.âÂ
Liam chuckled. He knew that Emily understood it. The event industry was a manic one at that. âWell thatâs something at least. Itâs good to make sure you still have time to breathe,â He said with a firm nod before sighing dramatically. âWorking an event or two, whisked a few people away. Nothing of note though. Nothing permanent.â
âIt is, especially because I usually donât. Last year I almost missed an event because I had nearly overbooked myself.â Emily gave a small shrug as she recalled that weekend. At the time it felt like the worst day every but looking back now itâs just ridiculous she even did it. âAnd youâre telling me you had multiple dates and none of them were worth keeping around long term? Thatâs a shame, or, well, it also maybe isnât. I canât find the time to focus on one person right now, I canât imagine keeping up with a few.â
âYeah, Valentineâs was pretty busy,â Liam said with an ever so slight smirk before then shrugging his shoulders. âCalmed down for a moment now though. Howâve you been?â
Emily nodded. She had three venues booked to play for over the weekend so to say she was exhausted was an understatement. âBusy is a good word to describe how Iâve felt.â The brunette nodded and pushed a bit of hair behind her ear. âThough not as busy as I thought it might be, honestly I expected more but Iâm glad itâs over. Did you have any special plans?â