"Oh no!" Emily began, trying to hide her amusement. "I couldn't do that! No strangling people, it's just not nice," she finished in her best mom voice, which made Marla throw her head back with a laugh. "But okay, that sounds good," Emily said about them being here for at least a week. "I'll let you know when I have off," she added, smiling warmly at him. Even with only knowing him a few days, she really did like him and actually found herself looking forward to spending more time with him, especially when others would be around. No need to put herself in an awkward situation with a guy she was still getting to know, no matter how unreasonably comfortable he was to be around.
"And, speaking of fun! Break's over, I should get back," Marla broke in, leaning over to give Emily a side-hug. "I'll catch ya later, sweetie. And it was real good to meet ya," she added to Connor as she stood up, snagging her water bottle and giving a little wave as she bounced back to the piano.
Emily smiled, nodding at her friend, and then just watched her head away for a moment before turning back to Connor. "She's real great. I was lucky to meet her right after we moved up here," she said, fondness clear in her tone.