Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Emma's POV

I was afraid of falling over if I stood up. I was so light-headed and dizzy; but, then, Mr. Hollen asked me to dance. I looked at him, trying to show him that I was now a dizzy light weight, but didn't want to be rude in front of his grandmother. I recalled, looking at her closer, that she was the same woman I'd seen at the park who left the newspaper behind.

Mr. Hollen held out his hand and I took it. He led me to a dance floor where over a hundred couples were dancing as well. He wrapped his arm around my lower back and pulled me closer to him as we began swaying slowly to the music. I'd never danced like that before so I stepped on his shoes a couple of times, and the alcohol wasn't helping. I laid my head on his hard chest, saving my balance. His manly scent tingled in my nostrils as I inhaled deeply. I was so comfortable in his strong arms; I instantly felt like no one else existed around us. It was just us and the music.

I hugged him tightly.

"Excuse me, may I have this dance with my son?" Mrs. Hollen interrupted.

I pulled away from him. "Of course," I answered, a bit shortly, and allowed her to take my place.

I began to make my way back to the table through the crowd. I passed a couple who were dancing, and, as I saw my table with Halley and Mr. Hollen's grandmother in sight, I tripped over someone's long gown and fell to my face. There was laughter mixed with concerned exclamation from the crowd. I tried to quickly pick myself up but two men rushed over to me and helped me on my feet. Everyone stared. You could touch my embarrassment with a finger; I felt terrible.

"Emma, are you alright?" Mr. Hollen asked; he was one of the men who picked me up.

"She's with you?" the other man asked him.

"Yeah."

Mr. Hollen took my hand, led me directly to the table and sat me down in a chair. 

I buried my face in the palms of my hands as the tears fell. The one thing I didn't want to  happen happened. I'd embarrassed him.

"We're leaving in five," he said then went over and spoke to the other gentleman who'd assisted me.

Halley came over and patted me on my back. "Emma, are you okay?"

My hands didn't leave my face.

"My dear, you're too beautiful to hide your face in this place. Put your hands down," Mr. Hollen's grandmother said, and she leaned in and removed them.

She smiled at me as I looked over to her.

"Lets get you cleaned up," Halley said and led me to a bathroom. "She likes you," she said to me when we were inside, "but you had too much wine, Emma; you're wasted."

I leaned against a sink as she wiped my face and retouched my makeup. 

She led me back to the table, where Mr. Hollen was waiting. I saw his mother making her way over to him as we approached.

"Honey, Martin said you're leaving," she said to him.

"Yes, mother."

"But the auction hadn't even started as yet. Why so soon?"

"I'm already exhausted, and I need to take them home."

can't handle a glass of wine!" Her eyes

not right now,

least stay for your auction, sweetie. My driver

they came with me. It's only fair

wasn't an easy woman to deal with. She seemed to have Sharon's

take us home. He gave in and handed Halley the keys for the house. We made our way out with him right behind us. We got into an

the beach house an hour

my bedroom. "How are

feel like I've been hit by a truck. My body hurts from the fall

she said softly, and moved some hair from around my face. She said goodnight

fully dressed, and fell asleep

the touch of someone's hand on my back. I turned my head slightly. Straining my eyes through the darkness of the room, I looked

the death of me. What

with sleep in my

back

argue with him. I laid my head on my

___________

Sunday morning arrived.

got out of be, brushed my teeth, undressed then took a shower. I felt better

said as he

"Good morning."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine."

you

"Huh?"

day teaching you to

blushed. I had forgotten

we had breakfast then I went back upstairs and changed into my so-called swimwear and followed

__________

your hands in front of you," he instructed as he held me in the water to show me

He was using an alternative technique for beginners.

swam away from him. "Keep your head up Emma!" He followed right behind, caught me and pulled me into his arms. "There, you're a fast

"Thanks to you."

it you're not mad

matter; I

"So have I."

"Oh really?"

breaking up with her as soon as she gets

be with me. I'm in no position to tell you to leave your fiancee. She's a nice woman; you two make

wrong. I'm not leaving her for you. I'm leaving

for excuses. Y'all are getting married. You should go through with

last statement changed the color of his eyes and I panicked. He pulled me even closer to him causing