It’s over.
“You’re gonna need to talk to someone about it.” Her eyes were soft. Compassionate. Emotional. It was too much, and not at all what I needed. I couldn’t stand to see that shit in her eyes.
“Not right now.” I spun around to face the dress again, needing to distract her. To distract us both. “Right now, what I need is to figure out how to pack this thing without getting it all wrinkled. Somehow I don’t think rolling it up and stuffing it into my backpack will work.”
Her silence lingered, and I didn’t think she’d let me change the subject but finally, she took the bait. “You done lost your mind if you think I’m gonna let you defile that beautiful gown like that. You are not ten years old. Take your garment bag and check it like you’re grown.”
Looking from the dress to the backpack, I replied, “But there’s room.”
Monica growled. “Forget it. I’m packing your dress for you.” Before I could argue, she marched into my closet and pulled out my garment bag. She cast one last dark look over her shoulder, making it clear that she was giving me a reprieve, but we were far from done with this conversation.
***
By the time my flight touched down in Seattle, it was a little past seven p.m. Before I’d left Albuquerque, I texted Link to let him know I’d grab an Uber since I didn’t fancy lugging my garment bag around on the back of some prospect’s bike. When I took my phone out of airplane mode Link had replied, telling me that Emily would pick me up instead.
Great. Nothing like an awkward conversation with the stranger marrying my brother after a long flight. Narrowly resisting the urge to argue with him and insist on getting my own damn ride, I asked what she’d be driving.
After I collected my luggage, I found Emily waiting in her slick black Jaguar XE. She popped the trunk, and I put my garment bag and backpack away before climbing into the passenger’s seat. The jag was clean with leather interior and all the gadgets a driver could ever want. It looked posh and expensive, much like its owner. Link had sent me a picture of Emily so I’d recognize her, but she was even more beautiful in person. She wore a navy business blazer and skirt with practical-looking pumps, and her posture was perfect. With long, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that somehow seemed both measured and authentic, I could tell she was a woman who could hold her own. Of course, she was. Link wouldn’t have fallen for some mousy chick who wouldn’t challenge him.
“Thanks for picking me up. You weren’t waiting long, were you?” It was a stupid question, and I don’t know why I asked. It wasn’t like I could have done anything about it if she had been idling at the curb all night. I was stupidly nervous all of a sudden, and trying my damnedest to be polite and ladylike.
“No. Don’t even worry about it. I’m glad I could get away from the office to pick you up. I know we haven’t spoken much, and I wanted to talk to you before everything gets crazy for the wedding.”
She seemed uptight and worried. Maybe a little nervous, as well. “Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes. I just… I figured you’d have some questions for me. Especially with Link and I getting married so quickly. Let me assure you, I’m not pregnant since that seems to be on the top of everyone’s mind.”
Her candid nature paired with the image of how my brother would react to being asked if his bride-to-be was expecting made me laugh. “Oh, I bet Link loves getting that question.”
She rolled her eyes. “He beats on his chest and roars at anyone who asks, telling them it’s none of their business.”
“With several expletives, I’m sure. Well, I definitely didn’t think you were pregnant, and if you were, I wouldn’t care. He’s right, it’s none of anyone’s business,” I assured her. “And Link wouldn’t be marrying someone just because he knocked them up. I’ve never heard my brother talk about anyone the way he talks about you.” I looked around her car. “Also, it’s obvious you’re not marrying him for his money since you’ve clearly got your own and he bleeds all of his into the club. He said you’re a criminal defense attorney. Which firm are you with?”
She was watching me. “My own. I used to work for the Wielder Group, but I got sick of being told to represent assholes I knew were guilty.”
“How do you choose who to represent now?” I asked. “I mean how do you know who’s innocent?”
“After I meet with possible new clients, I check their story for holes. Interview witnesses, character witnesses, employers, old boyfriends or girlfriends. Of course, none of that was enough for your brother. We butted heads for a while, but finally came to a compromise. Now his guys vet my clients as well. Part of me feels like I caved too easily, but then I remember that Link loves me and is just trying to protect me, so I let him. He’s a Neanderthal and he drives me crazy sometimes, but he’s kind and generous and a legitimately good person. I know we’re nuts to be getting married so quickly, but I love him. Itrusthim—his character, his honor, his heart, his loyalty—implicitly. After the relationships I’ve had, and the people I’ve defended over the years, it makes no sense, but I do.”
Her honest, heartfelt declaration released the knot between my shoulders that I didn’t realize I’d been carrying around. I was worried about Link and I wanted him to be happy. I still didn’t understand why they were getting married so quickly, but at least I knew her motives were true. She loved him. My brother would be happy, and that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
“I’m determined to make this work, but feeling a little out of my depths with the whole club scene, so if you have any advice for me about living with your brother, I’m all ears.”
I thought about it a moment before asking, “You ever been horseback riding?”
“Nope. I always wanted to, but never had the chance.”
“Before my mom bailed, she took me and Link to a couple of lessons. While we were saddling up, the instructor told us that some horses have strong personalities, like some people. The instructor then taught us how to feel a horse out and see how it reacted to commands. She had us ride several horses to demonstrate. Some only took a little tug on the reins to get them going in the right direction. Others required more of a yank and a little kick to the flank. Then there was this one named Dusty that I had to keep reined in, because he had an agenda. The moment I gave him his head, he’d bolt and take me for one hell of a ride. Like Dusty, Link is intelligent and has great instincts so it’s not like he’s going to run you off a cliff or into danger or anything. It just might take spurs and a riding crop to get him to do what you want.”
Emily stopped for a light and turned to stare at me. She blinked, then she cracked up laughing. “That is probably the best marriage advice I’ve ever heard. We should stop somewhere and pick up horse gear, so I can keep your brother in line.”
I cringed, both at her lingo and the visual it produced. “First of all, gross. I now need to scrub the images of you using a riding crop on my brother out of my mind, you freak. Secondly, it’s called tack, not gear. Third, I have a feeling you keep him in line just fine. I’ve never heard him sound so happy.”
“Thank you.” She glanced at the engagement ring on her finger, smiling.
“Let me see how he did,” I said. “Show me that rock.”
She held her hand in the air between us. The ring was stunning. Apparently, I was wrong and Link hadn’t been sinkingallhis money into the club, because it had to have cost him a mint.
