Page 34 of Bossy Bride: Emma and Jesse

CHAPTER NINE - JESSE

Miles insists that we change into our silky new PJs and take the jet bedroom while he makes some phone calls to Fingers, assuring us that everything will be all set by the time we land.

And even though I have big plans for seducing my bride-to-be while we’re in the air, we’re both kinda exhausted when we finally snuggle under the covers and turn out the lights. Add in the low, white-noise hum of the engines and… yeah. I’m pretty much asleep immediately.

But it feels like I only just closed my eyes when Miles is gently shaking me awake and offering me a lemon-scented hand towel to freshen up.

“We’ll be landing in about twenty minutes, sir. I’ve taken the liberty of steaming the wrinkles out of yesterday’s clothes and they are hanging in the closet.”

“Jesus, Miles. You’re one in a million, ya know that?”

“I do, sir.”

It’s nearly dawn when I finally drag myself up out of bed and open the window shade to look outside. The barren terrain of desert greets me down below and our plan suddenly seems a lot crazier than it did last night.

Emma covers her mouth as she yawns. “What time is it?”

“Almost six AM. Miles left you a hot lemon towel.”

“God, I love Miles.” Emma swings her legs out of bed and gazes out the window for a moment. “Holy shit. We’re really doing this.”

“We really are.”

She looks at me. “Are we nuts?”

“Uh… yeah. That’s a given. Especially after that whole Krakken chase last night.”

Emma snorts. “Take that, Karen.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Emma. It’s your wedding. You only get to do it once.”

“Unless your name is Miles.” She chuckles.

“You know what I mean. This is supposed to be your day.”

“It is my day. I’m excited.” She pouts at me. God, I still love that pout. “But if you’re not into it—”

“No, no. I am. I’m up for any crazy wedding you can cook up. But… I just want to make sure this is what you really want. Because we could just go back home, talk things out with your mother like rational people—”

“She’s the irrational one! How could she invite Karen to be my wedding planner-slash-bridesmaid? I mean, come on! She knows that Mila, Nat, and Hannah have been my besties for over a decade now. That’s like… unforgivable.” She points her finger at me. “And I know what you’re going to say.”

“What am I gonna say?”

“That she only wants what’s best for me. But seriously. This is my mother we’re talking about. Sure, she loves me. But she’s always trying to control me. And you give in to her.”

“When?”

“All the time!”

“Name one time.”

“Hello? Have we or have we not been flying to Key West for Saturday dinner every freaking week?”

“We did miss that one time in September.”