Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Emmerson chewed on her lip. “Okay, so maybe this isn’t going to blow over after all. We’re just going to have to break up.”
“I’ve got a better idea!” Hailey said before I could inform Emmerson that we couldn’t break up because we weren’t even really together.
Hailey went on. “Hear me out for a few minutes. Emme, imagine the business you’ll get if brides know you’re going through the same process they are. Yes, you’re a professional wedding planner, but think about how it would look for you to be able to relate to them. The whole looking for a venue, the ups, the downs, the wedding dress shopping. And even better, the followers you’ll get because you’re with People’s Sexiest Man Alive. You’ll totally be able to relate to them on a completely different level.”
I was positive my mouth was hanging open as much as Emmerson’s was. “You think we should keep up this charade?” I asked.
Hailey smiled. “Yes! I mean, honestly, Landon, what harm could come from it? You quietly break up in a few months. People break up all the time, but, in the meantime, Emme can turn this into something good for her business.”
“You’re serious?” Emmerson asked her.
“Yes! You’ve worked so hard to grow Serendipity into what it is, and you got such amazing press today. And Landon,” she said, as she turned back to face me, “I know you stepped out of the spotlight, but the family does still have a NASCAR team, and you’re part owner of another one. Think of all the press that your new business will get simply from Emmerson posting a few little research trips. Think about it—what bride wouldn’t want her wedding planned by someone going through the same experiences?”
I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew she was right. From the look on Emmerson’s face, she knew it as well. Plus, there was something in my sister’s eyes that said she had a hidden agenda behind this idea.
“There you are, Emmerson!” a voice called out from behind us. Emmerson turned around and immediately put on that smile she had been forcing nearly all night.
Janet walked up to us with a young couple she was towing behind her. They stopped and all beamed at Emmerson.
“Emmerson Wallace, this is Kurt Richard and Abby Hawn.”
I was positive we all gaped at them.
“Hawn, as in Senator Mitch Hawn’s daughter?” Hailey asked.
The young woman blushed as she nodded. “Yes, that would be me.”
Emmerson tossed a look over her shoulder at Hailey that silently warned her to not speak again. My sister had a way of commanding a conversation.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Emmerson said as she shook both of their hands. “This is Landon Lewis, and his sister, Hailey, and her fiancé, Mike Phillips.”
The couple turned their attention to Hailey. Abby grinned as she asked, “Is Emmerson your wedding planner, Hailey?”
Hailey shot a quick look at Emmerson, and her expression screamed, I told you so. “Yes, she is.”
“How lucky for you,” Abby said before turning her attention back to Emmerson. “I’ve been stalking your Instagram since Francesca Hamilton dropped your name in her article with People magazine earlier today.”
Emmerson’s eyes went wide with disbelief. “Really? That’s wonderful! I hope you’ve picked up some tips for your upcoming wedding.”
“Actually,” Abby said, gazing up at her fiancé with an adoring look. “I was hoping to chat with you about that. I know you’re in the Waco area, but maybe we could meet for lunch sometime. That is, if you do weddings in Austin.”
“Yes! She does!” Hailey said as Emmerson shot her another look of warning.
After my sister closed her mouth and took a step back, Emmerson focused on Abby. “I have done some weddings here in Austin, as well as some events for the hospital and a few other local businesses, so I’m familiar with the Austin area and the vendors here.”
Abby clapped her hands. “Oh, this is wonderful! I just knew the moment I saw you go into that bidding war—and the way the two of you kissed on that dance floor—that you honestly knew what true love was all about. Who better to plan your wedding than someone madly in love herself?”
Emmerson’s smile never wavered, not once. She was either one hell of an actress, or…
I let that thought slip away, and I smiled when Kurt and Abby looked at me.
“That was some kiss,” Kurt said with a wink in my direction.
“It certainly was,” I agreed, slipping my arm around Emmerson’s waist. After all this close contact with her, my cock was going to be raw by the time I was finished with it tonight.
“Do you have a business card?” Abby asked.
“Oh, right! Yes,” Emmerson said with a chuckle as she opened her clutch and pulled out a card. When she handed it to Abby, I noticed the slight shaking in her hand. It was so slight that no one else would have noticed it, but I did.