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I frowned. “What?” I asked with confusion. I was certain I didn’t hear him right. There was no way.
“I forgot to tell you, Emmy is going to be one of Caroline’s bridesmaids,” Leo said with a bright smile.
My heart sank when he mentioned that the woman I secretly loved would be in the wedding party too. I shook my head. “No, she’s not.”
“Oh, yes, she is,” Leo said. “Caroline’s friend dropped out at the last minute. Caroline didn’t want to redo the whole wedding party arrangement and she refused to have it be off balance. We didn’t want to fire one of my groomsmen. I suggested Emmy and she thought it was the perfect idea. She asked her earlier today. Emmy agreed to do it.”
With her being a part of the wedding party, I knew I would be seeing a lot more of her. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. We were going to be put in the same room over and over. I was trying to find a way to avoid being around her until things cooled down. I tried to process the news while images of Emmy flashed through my mind.
“Why are you so pale?” Hunter asked.
“It’s nothing,” I muttered.
“Oh, I would say Luke is panicking a little.” Leo chuckled.
“Why?” Hunter asked.
“Because he’s been in love with her since they were kids,” Leo answered. “He’s trying to avoid her to avoid having to tell her he’s in love with her.”
All of them looked at me. I was going to kill Leo. All I could think about was seeing Emmy in a pretty dress with her makeup and hair done. It reminded me of seeing her at prom. I had been so jealous of her date. I wanted to kick the guy’s ass when I saw him looking at her with lust in his eyes. Emmy didn’t dress up all that often. She was beautiful without trying. She was gorgeous with no makeup and wearing a pair of sweats and a hoodie. In a dress with her trying to look good, she was going to be a knockout. How in the hell was I supposed to not look at her? Not want her?
“Who is this woman?” Cameron asked.
“Emmy,” Leo said again. “His best friend from childhood. They’re still best friends today, but he doesn’t want to ask her out.”
Ramsey stared at me. “Shit, my cousin?”
That was when I realized who he was. I glared at Leo. I was going to kick his ass. Now, Emmy was going to hear it from her cousin. “Thanks,” I muttered.
Leo just laughed. “You didn’t know who he was?”
“You did?”
Leo nodded. “I did.”
“I thought you looked familiar,” Ramsey said. “Damn. Emmy?”
ChapterTen
Emmy
Iwas nervous. It wasn’t a big deal, I told myself. When Caroline texted last night and asked if I could meet her at the bridal shop to try on the dress for her wedding, I was reluctant to agree. I knew I was going to have to put down a deposit. I had no idea how much the dress was going to cost. I just hoped it wouldn’t be too much. Her friends, Lena and Julia, were also going to be going along on the trip. I knew them, but not well.
I was a shy person in general. I didn’t really have girlfriends. Luke was really my only friend. I had a few friends in school, but I didn’t keep in touch with any of them. I had always found other girls to be very judgy. There was also the little issue of my father. I never dared to invite girls over to my house after school. My parents were always discouraging such things. I did go to a few birthday parties and whatnot, but I never let myself get close. I couldn’t say much about who I was or my family. I couldn’t be vulnerable. Only Luke really knew me.
I showered and dressed for the day, then I met the ladies at the bridal shop for the appointment Caroline had made. “Hi,” I greeted them all.
“Thank you so much for doing this,” Caroline said again. “You know Julia and Lena.”
“Hello.” I nodded at them.
“I had them pull a few dresses,” Caroline said. “You can choose the one you like the best. I’m not making my ladies wear the same style. We’re doing shades of blue. The saleslady I talked to said we had time to have what you want made and fitted before the wedding.”
As she talked, I was counting dollars in my head. Buying off the rack would be the cheapest option. As we walked into the bridal boutique, I couldn’t help but feel excited and a little bit nervous. After all, this was her wedding, and I wanted to make sure I looked my best. This was an important day for her and Leo. I had to do my part and look pretty for her and the many pictures I would be a part of.
“Hello!” a tall, slender blonde greeted us.
“I’m Caroline and these are my bridesmaids,” Caroline said. “I called last night.”
