Back to December (Ward Sisters Book 1) (42 page)

“Jenna told me that they were going to print the story about Annie and Josh despite her request to the contrary. You might not be the one who got engaged, but the tabloids thrive on stories about betrayal and they told Jenna they'd run it today. She made an anonymous call to Annie to warn her. We hoped you'd get the news from your sister and not from a paparazzi who will surely show up in the next day or two for your reaction. I take it Annie didn't mention any of this?”

“No.” She said it so quietly, she wasn't sure if she even said it aloud. She didn't love Josh anymore, hadn't for a while, but how was it that he and Annie had dated and she didn't know it? Who else knew?

“Why didn't you tell me this before?”

“I found out yesterday afternoon, Em. Jenna told me as soon as she knew what was going to happen. I took the first available flight to Bangor so I could be here for you. I figured Annie would've told you last night or at least before the wedding.”

“Why didn't you just call me?” That seemed a more reasonable option than to fly across the country and crash a wedding where he knew he was unwelcome.

“Well, I
tried
, but your cell is off. I hoped to catch you yesterday and ask if you wanted me to come here for support. And then you never answered and I just...I wanted to be here...for you. It took all night to get here and I couldn't call you at 4 a.m. from Chicago. I raced here as soon as I landed in Bangor and probably broke a few laws on the way. I tried your cell again, but it's still off.”

Em sighed. “I lost it four days ago. I just got my replacement this morning. That's what your message was about, right? I got it earlier.” She fought tears but they came anyway.

He nodded. “Hey,” Rob said. He scooped her into his embrace. “I'm sorry I was the one to tell you. So they haven't said anything to you or to anyone else?”

“Well, I can't speak for anyone else,” Emily said into his shoulder, sniffling, “but obviously, they haven't said a word to me. I feel like an idiot.”

“You're not an idiot. Why would you ever think your sister would go behind your back and date your ex?” He pulled her closer and rubbed her back. After a minute, he leaned back and looked at her with a question on his face. Before she could ask him what it was, Annie appeared around the corner.

“Sorry to interrupt, but they want you over at the gazebo for pictures, Em. I was sent to look for you.”

Emily wanted to yell at Annie and ask if it was true, but this was Charlie's day, and she wouldn't ruin it. She'd speak her mind to Annie later, after the wedding stuff was done and she had time to clear her head a bit. Instead, she did what she had to do to push through it.

“Give me a couple minutes to fix my makeup.”

“Okay, sure.” Annie nodded, backed up and nearly tripped. “I'll tell them you'll be right there. I'm sure they can take the pictures with you in a few minutes.” With that, her sister turned quickly and headed toward the gazebo as fast as she could on grass wearing a floor-length gown and heels.

Emily scoffed. “She ran out of here pretty fast, didn't she?” She said it almost to herself as she stared at the spot where her sister had just been. She wasn't sure things could ever be the same between her and Annie after this moment.

“She looked relieved to be leaving, that's for sure. When do you think they'll tell everyone?” Rob looked down at Em.

Emily looked up at him, thankful that it was Rob's blue eyes giving her comfort. She sighed. “Well, they're both hopeless romantics, so he's probably going to reenact the proposal during the bouquet and garter toss.”

“Really? You think they'd do that?” Rob was incredulous.

“What do I know? I didn't even know they were dating, let alone that serious about each other. It's only been nine months since we broke up, it doesn't seem like they had enough time to get to that point. You don't think...”

“No, I don't think they were cheating behind your back. Do you?”

Emily thought about it for a split second. “No. I guess I don't believe that. Look, I should get to the pictures. Will you...will you be here when I'm done?” She looked in the mirror of the catering truck parked nearby. Thank goodness for waterproof mascara and a professional makeup job. It had paid to stay friends with Reggie, and it had been worth every penny to pay for the girls' makeup as a shower gift to Charlie.

“I'll be here as long as you want me to be here. Do you want me to come over to the gazebo with you or should I just go get a drink at the bar and pray no one recognizes me?” Rob grinned, tucking a loose hair behind her ear.

Oh, how Emily loved that grin and had missed it. She smiled back. “Thank you. And, no, you don't need to come with me. I'll be okay. I can't do much about the recognition. I'd limit your drinks though. I have no control over what goes up on YouTube from the guests,” she teased.

Rob laughed. “I'll try to behave. Now go. I'll be at the bar when you're done.”

She knew he watched her walk away, that the five-inch Louboutins made her just the right height and made her legs look very long. She sashayed just a little, giving him a show and hoping it might remind him that he wanted her, once. That he loved her, once.

He flew across the country just for her, right?

Hopefully, that meant it wasn't too late.

Emily arrived at the gazebo for pictures and caught her mother's eye. Gail Ward was doing her best to refrain from scowling, since the photographer's assistant was snapping candid photos while her boss was staging the posed ones. Emily knew her mother must have seen Rob and she was surely furious that he dared crash the wedding.

It was more than just poor etiquette. Though Rob hadn't technically breached etiquette, since Emily asked Charlie to let her keep her plus one on the off chance that it might be needed. Or to piss off her mother, whichever fit the bill best by the time the wedding happened. With Josh in attendance, Charlie could hardly tell Em she couldn't bring a date. Emily had almost asked her high school boyfriend, Joey, but changed her mind at the last minute. And then lost her iPhone, which had his cell phone number programmed into it.

No, it was the fact that her mother had expressly forbidden Rob to attend the wedding and when things ended between him and Emily, Gail thought she had won. Gail stood with Annie and Josh, forced her best fake smile and muttered under her breath. Though she was too far away to hear, Emily knew that it was likely about the uninvited guest. Given what was sure to happen later in the evening, Em smiled wide. Rob had defied her mother's wishes and prioritized her emotional well-being over impressing her parents.

Emily stayed away from Annie, Josh and her mother as much as possible. She intentionally engaged anyone else in conversation and stuck close to Meg.

“Did I see Rob in the chapel?” Meg asked. Emily nodded. “Why is he here?”

Em lowered her voice to a whisper. “For me. Annie and Josh are engaged.”

“No way!” Meg shouted, then quickly lowered her voice. “You're friggin' kidding me!”

“No, I'm not. I'm not jealous, but I'm pissed. Annie had the nerve to be mad when I kissed Rob and constantly harassed me. And they were screwing behind my back.”

“Were they together when you were still with Josh?”

“I don't know. I don't think so, but I have no idea.”

“Are you going to slap her?” Meg might be a therapist, but she kicked ass if the situation called for it.

“No. I won't ruin this for Charlie.”

“Speaking of...” Meg said. She turned to leave as Charlie walked toward them. “I'll talk to you later. You better introduce me to Rob. I'll try to stop fantasizing about him if you're going to take him back.”

Emily smiled and rolled her eyes at her best friend.

“Thanks.”

Despite her preoccupation, Charlie had noticed something was amiss. When Dan posed for photos with just his attendants, Charlie came to speak with Em.

“What's going on, Emma Bean?” Charlie asked, concern in her voice.

“No worries, Charlie Brown. I won't ruin your big day with my personal drama.”

“What personal drama would that be?”

“Rob is here.”

“Here? At the wedding?”

“Yes. I thought I saw him at the back of the chapel during the ceremony. He came and found me afterward.”

“What's he doing here? Are you
happy
he's here?”

Emily tried not to cry. She took a deep breath. “He's here for me. To support me. And, yes, I'm
very
happy to see him. You know I've wished he'd contact me for months.”

Charlie hugged her. “Oh, Em. Do you think he still loves you?”

She shrugged. “I hope so. Charl...” she began. Just then, her sister was called for one last picture and the rest of them were sent to the tent to get lined up for their entrance.

“I'll talk to you more later, Em. I'm glad he's here.” She squeezed Emily's hand and went to have her photo taken.

Peter offered his arm to escort Em back to the tent. She thanked him – it wasn't that easy to walk across the grass in stilettos. As they stood outside the tent, she saw Rob as he casually leaned on the bar. Emily excused herself and said she'd be right back.

Rob watched her walk toward him. His smile widened as she approached. The nearer she got, the more lustful his expression became. He looked her up and down. “Nice dress,” he whispered in her ear when she got close.

“You like?” she asked, grinning as she twirled carefully on her five-inch stilettos. Even if he didn't still love her, he still wanted her. It felt nice to be wanted again and a wave of lust rolled through her.

“It really should be a crime to be that beautiful. Whose idea was it to wear your hair like that?” he asked, playing with the curls that tumbled across her shoulders. He had always loved her hair curly and it was longer now that she didn't trim it monthly.

“Mine. This guy I knew once told me I looked sexy with my hair like this. I figured it couldn't hurt to look sexy at a wedding when you're single.” She gave him a sad smile.

“That guy was right. You
do
look sexy with your hair like that. Maybe you'll get lucky and take some handsome stranger home with you.” He winked. He was flirting with her and she loved it.

“Maybe some lucky guy will
get
to come home with me, you mean.”

“Or that. Either way, you're the most beautiful woman here. I feel fortunate you're even speaking to me.”

“Well, then today is your lucky day, my friend. See that table over there? The one with a number four on it, right near the dance floor? There's a seat for you at that table.”

He looked at her, confused. “How is that?”

“You're my date. Didn't you know?”

His reaction was pleasant surprise. “I do now. Does it matter which seat I take?”

“There's a spot with no name card next to mine. Sit there. I'll see you in a few minutes.” She kissed him on the cheek and he headed into the tent. She watched him go and her heart started to slow down a little. Rob could so easily cause her heart to race. He sat down at the table and Emily saw him introduce himself. Satisfied things were all set, she went back to the wedding party just as they lined up to enter.

As she took her place with Peter in front of Charlie and Dan, her sister leaned forward and whispered, “Did you tell him to sit with you?” Em nodded. “Good. Steer clear of Mom for now. I think she's about ready to burst a blood vessel. I told her I didn't care, but she's pissed. Em?” She looked at Charlie, the tone in her voice causing Emily to turn. “I'm glad he's here for you. There's something I need to tell you...” Once again, they were interrupted by wedding duties. “I'll come find you as soon as I can,” Charlie said, and they all moved forward.

Emily got to the table and Rob pulled out her chair. The waitstaff began serving dinner as soon as the wedding party was seated. She smiled at Rob, who looked at her with such happiness in his eyes that she melted inside. Would it be too much to hope that he still loved her?

As the waiter set down their plates, Rob looked at her oddly when he saw that, not only did he have a dinner in front of him, but his was prime rib. He leaned in close and whispered, “What would you have done if I hadn't come tonight?”

She whispered back, “Eaten them both.” She winked, and he laughed.

Nina, Charlie's best friend, sat to her left. She looked at them and said, “Private joke?”

Emily laughed. “Something like that.” She looked at Rob and he smiled.

During dinner, they made conversation with the attendants and dates at their table. Fortunately, Annie and Josh sat across the dance floor. Emily hadn't realized that neither of them had dates listed when she counted the responses and created the seating charts with Charlie. Since they were both single, it seemed logical that they would go to the wedding solo. Nor had she thought it odd that they were seated next to one another – they were friends and neither had dates. Now, it made perfect sense. They both had a date – each other.

Once dinner was done, Meg came over from the other attendant table. Charlie had insisted on separating them for dinner so they'd talk to other people, since she and Meg were both single. Meg said coyly, “So,
Em
, are you going to introduce me to your date?”

Emily laughed. “Meg, this is Rob. Rob, this is...”

Rob stood and took her hand. “The infamous Meg. I've heard lots about you.”

Meg laughed. “I'm sure you have. I've heard lots about you too.”

“Oh, I know. Em told me the kind of things you two discuss.” He leaned closer to her. “She did tell you that she won't share me, right?” He winked and Meg laughed.

“He's a comedian, Em. You should keep him,” she smiled. “Later.”

Rob sat back down and Emily smiled at him. “She liked you.”

“Oh? I thought I recalled you saying she was a fangirl,” he teased.

“She was. Before. Based on the eyebrow wiggles she's giving me at the moment, I'd say she still is.” Emily laughed.

Rob said, “Should I look and unnerve her?”

“Go for it.” Rob turned and gazed at Meg, who blushed and looked away. Emily laughed. “Oh, I love it. It takes a lot to make that girl blush.”

“Unlike you, who blushes at every compliment. Like when someone says you should always wear designer stilettos because they make your legs look amazing.”

She did blush at that and said, “How do you know they're designer?”

“Please. You forget my sister's shoe obsession. Red sole. Louboutin.”

“Ah, right. These are the ones she wore to the gala.”

“I thought you didn't like designer shoes?”

“I learned to appreciate them,” she said. He gulped and just smiled, speechless. Oh, God. They were flirting. Em wasn't sure she could control herself if they kept it up.

Charlie had decided to skip the wedding party dance. The good part about that was it meant Emily didn't have to dance with Peter, who she recalled had two left feet. Her toes – and her $850 shoes – would thank her sister later. The bad part was that it meant they'd cut the cake and do the bouquet and garter toss sooner.

After the cake was cut and they ate their pieces of chocolate, buttercream-frosted deliciousness, Emily's palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her napkin. Her anxiety showed on her face, because Rob said, “Care to dance?” He  knew it would take her mind off things to be in his arms again, and she was immediately grateful for his presence. She nodded vigorously.

They stood at the same time. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Taylor Swift's
Back to December
played and he swept her into his arms. Em chuckled as she remembered what she said to him that first night at dinner.

“What's so funny?” he asked, as if he didn't know. She'd told him the same thing when they first danced at the gala.

“Oh, I don't know. Just recalling how I insulted both your dancing and your acting skills in the same sentence once upon a time.”

He spun her out and back and when he caught her he said, “Have you revised your statement, then?”

She laughed. “Absolutely. You're a fantastic dancer. The acting, I don't know...”

He pulled her closer. “Watch out, or I'll tickle you.” The fingers of his left hand, which were on her back, crept toward her ribs.

“Rob!” she said under her breath. “We are in a public place. Don't forget that.”

“Oh, right. Standard protocol in place, ma'am!” he mock saluted.

She laughed. “Thank you. For making this so much easier. And for helping me laugh. You've always been able to make me laugh.” She suddenly felt tears spring to her eyes. She had missed him even more than she had realized, which was already a significant amount. With a catch in her voice, she said, “I'm glad you're here.”