Oh my God, wait. What the hell am I doing getting a wedding dress for a wedding that isn’t even in theworks?
Love is giving someone the power to destroy you but trusting them not to. And I trustTristan.
“Yes. That’s mydress.”
12
Tristan Broussard
Our wedding.Everyone that we love is going to be there. And Emma Lia has no idea. Yes, it’s my making another major decision about our lives without her input, but it’s a risk that I’m willing to take. She’s already agreed to be my wife. And I want to do something out of this world to show her how committed I am to her and ourchild.
Her demeanor has changed this week. I’ve seen the unspoken questions in her eyes. The tense expressions while her mind is a million miles away. I’m certain that she’s wondering why there isn’t a ring on her finger or a collar around her neck. Both will be after thisweekend.
“We have anothertrip.”
Emma Lia’s eyes alight. “Where are we going thistime?”
“Vegas again. Some issues have come up with the newcasino.”
The light in her eyes is gone as quickly as it appeared. “Oh.”
“You aren’t excited for another Vegastrip?”
She shrugs. “I can already predict that you’ll be tied up with business most of the time, and I’ll be on myown.”
Oh, mon bien-aimé. Someone may get tied up, but it won’t be me withbusiness.
“I recall that you weren’t entirely on your own the last time. You earned seven keys but were probably owed more like fifteen if the truth betold.”
“Fifteen sounds about right. And if I were still earning keys, I bet that I’d earn more than that on thistrip.”
Emma Lia is occasionally nauseated, but when she isn’t, she’s horny as fuck. And I don’t hate that one single bit. I’m happy to oblige her anytime she likes. The frequency helps to cushion the lack ofintensity.
“I promise that I’ll make time for you. You may even get to be Mrs. Broussardagain.”
She smiles, but the happiness that I usually see there when I mention our little game isn’t there. “Great. I love pretending to be Mrs.Broussard.”
No more role-playing, mon bien-aimé. Come Saturday at sunset, you will be Mrs.Broussard.
“Elizabeth will be bringing your packed bag on Thursday morning before weleave.”
“I don’t get to try on my clothes before thetrip?”
“There’s no time. Elizabeth has some prior engagements and can’t bring them anyearlier.”
“My stomach doesn’t bulge, but it also doesn’t sink in anymore like it once did. What if the clothes don’tfit?”
“You don’t look any bigger tome.”
“I feel bigger.” She places her hand across her chest. “I mean, look at these. They’re alreadybigger.”
“Showme.”
Her smile is sheepish. “Tristan…”
“Show me. I want to seethem.”
She grins and untucks her blouse, unbuttoning it. When she’s finished, she opens her shirt. “See?”
