It was her grandparents’ home. The place of her youth.
“Darling, deep breaths. You’re squeezing the daylights out of my hand.”
She looked at Nicolas with a sheepish smile. “Sorry! I didn’t notice.”
He gave an understanding smile.
Her eyes took him in. The man looked too good to be true. Navy, slim-fit suit, a sleek watch hugging his wrist and his scent—god,his scent was her aphrodisiac at this point.
Admiring him did wonders for her anxiety. Which sounded ridiculous. Staring at a man should never be a valid coping mechanism. And yet…watching him, listening to the cadence of his voice, it was like her anxiety had been put into a corner for a timeout. Emily envied that he could do what she failed to. She was also grateful for it.
Her biggest concern of all though, other than her family accepting Nicolas, had been her annoying cousins, Brenda and Bridget.
Yes, they were twins, but that wasn’t the point. What mattered was their habit to take anything and anyone she cared about. It wasn’t just rivalry. It was hidden contempt, repeated so often that Emily stopped sharing what she loved at all.
Years have passed and the twins went abroad to study until they returned, but old habits tend to die hard. She even recalled Bridget pulling Jake away into a corner once to try to seduce him. Emily wondered why he’d never fallen for Bridget’s tricks.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Nicolas’s eyes scanned Emily’s face. “We can always head back and tell them you’re not feeling well. I know I asked to meet your family, but we really don’t have to right now.”
“I’m fine. Well…at least I think I’ll be. I’m in a good enough condition.”
“You’re making this sound like we’re going to war.”
“Oh, we might as well be.”
He looked at her, now a bit alarmed.
“My family…we’re complicated. Like the Kardashians level. A rich, messy, and judgmental pack. And we’re very blunt. Just a heads-up.”
He took her hand back in his. “It’ll be fine.”
Taking a deep breath, Emily stood at the front door and rang the bell.
The door swung open. “Miss Emily!”
Dorothy took Emily’s hands in hers, patting the top of them affectionately.
Nicolas pulled away to give the two women space for their reconciliation.
Emily was in shock at such an act from Dorothy who was the most composed person she’d ever met. She’d learned the arts of equanimity from her caretaker. Seeing Dorothy’s face give way, breaking into a forlorn look made Emily’s heart heavy.
“This is Nicolas,” Emily introduced when Dorothy released her hands. “He’s my husband.”
“Miss Emily, you’re married?” Her face drew together in shock.
“Yes,” Emily affirmed. “It kind of happened.”
“I didn’t even get to see you walk down the aisle…”
“We had a quick ceremony at the courthouse, but not an official church one yet. I can assure you there’s nothing you’ve missed,” Nicolas was quick to assure.
“Well, I’m most certainly looking forward to it,” Dorothy said as she gave him a broad smile. “Please, come in.”
As they made it past hallways, Emily was attacked in a bear hug. “Aw, Emmy, I’ve missed you!” Chelsea cooed in a baby voice.
“Emmy…” Nicolas whispered, eyes twinkling once again at the nickname.
Emily blushed. “Chels…” She pried her sister’s arms off her.
