“You two said you’d be back thirty minutes ago. What happened? Chelsea had to help me into this dress earlier, and FYI, I had to endurea lotof pinching.”
“Ungrateful!” her sister sang from across the room. “That’s no way to be talking about the maid of honor!”
Chelsea was preoccupied with her phone, probably texting that professor of hers who was temporary placement. Yes, she was still in law school, much to everyone’s surprise. The guy had officially become her anchor.
Lately, though, she’d been grumbling about his teaching stint ending. Apparently, it had only been a favor to his former mentor. His real job was as an attorney. A pretty famous one too. Emily didn’t know how far things had gone between them or how serious it was, but her sister was happy and that was all that mattered.
Zariah pointed a finger to the right. “Ask her.”
Valentina sheepishly handed Emily a big purple and white bouquet. The fresh scent of carnations, roses and lisianthus filled her nose. “Chase wanted to talk.”
Emily’s brows raised.
“Oh.”
An awkward silence fell among them.
Chase and Valentina had been navigating a rocky patch in their relationship. Yes,relationship. The retired playboy had shocked everyone with how deeply he cared for her friend over the past year. And Valentina needed that, especially after the wreckage left behind by Jason.
It earned Chase a new level of respect from Emily.
Valentina never went into detail about why they were at odds with each other, only hinted at Chase’s past trauma triggering his overprotective and possessive nature. Something she both loved and loathed in equal measure.
Nicolas once confided in her that Chase needed Valentina in a way that should be clinically studied. Emily had laughed, but he’d just looked at her, dead serious.
“Was it a good chat or a bad one?”
“It was…aprogressive one.”
“Well, I can’t possibly be mad at you now, can I?”
Thank God for Zariah laughing to ease the tension, but she added fire by stating, “I just know they fucked.”
“Zee!”
Valentina’s face was on fire.
“I’m right, aren’t I? I found you near the bathroom with your dress hiked. I’d walked past Chase a minute before who had the most shit-eating grin on his face.”
Instead of confirming her suspicions, Valentina turned to the bride saying, “I’m sorry for going MIA on your wedding day.”
“It’s okay. You’re here now.” Emily assured. “And who knows, maybe I’ll do the same thing when it’s your time to tie the knot. Chase seems just about ready to have you be Mrs. Carvalho, regardless of your current fight.”
She gasped. “You’re evil.”
“So I’ve been told once or twice.”
“I’m so happy for you, Emmy. Nicolas is a great man.”
Emily’s eyes watered at Zariah’s words. “You should give yourself credit for that. If it wasn’t for you getting me on that flight to Montecito, we would’ve never done something crazy like a contract marriage.” Which had officially ended and become the realest thing Emily’s ever known.
Before they could follow up on that, the sound of a piano reached their ears.
Emily became wide eyed, no longer at ease.
“Whoa, what’s the matter?” Valentina inquired.
Zariah went and slipped her hand into Emily’s with a reassuring look. “You don’t need to be scared. Are you forgetting that you’re already married to this man? All you’re doing now is the pleasantries of it. No big deal.”
