Page 104 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Jace’s ultimatum still bothering you?” he asks.
I sigh but he seems to get my answer.
His fingers press gently into my back, pulling me a fraction closer. “You don’t have to be. Don’t worry about it. I can say the same for the others as well.”
I nod.
“We want you, but I know my men—they’re my best friends. Say the word, and we’ll step back and let you have your pick.”
I bite my lip. But that’s not what I want at all…
“You always seem so sure of yourself,” I tell him, my eyes drifting down to where his hand rests on my waist. “How do you do that?”
He chuckles, the sound low and rich. “I’m not always sure, Emily. I just act like I am. But when it comes to you…” He pauses, and the silence stretches for a moment before he adds, “When it comes to you, I’m certain. I have feelings for you, deeper than I thought.”
I swallow hard. All four of them have confessed their love for me.
“Axel…”
“Emily?” says a voice behind me. Instinctively, I turn towards it. Jace is waiting just a few steps away, gazing at me. There’s no trace of jealousy on his face, just acceptance.
“Guess you missed me already, huh?” I say.
“You have no idea,” he says. Axel steps away as Jace takes his place.
“Chloe?” I ask.
“Long gone,” he says.
“You and Hailey planned it, didn’t you?”
He nods. “We wanted to make sure she really understood that she wasn’t welcome here, but without tipping her off. No way in hell was I going to let her attend the wedding after what she did to you.”
I’m almost on the verge of tears.
“I’m sorry I pushed you before,” Jace says.
I don’t reply.
“You don’t have to make any decisions tonight,” he says softly. “If you’re not ready.”
But I am ready. As we sway together, I realize that this isn’t about waiting anymore. It’s about facing the truth. I care about all of them—Ben with his quiet steadiness, Tanner with his playful energy, Axel with his intensity, and Jace with his history and comfort. But I can’t keep going like this, caught between them, unsure of where my heart really lies.
“I think I already know,” I say quietly, meeting his eyes. “It’s time.”
Jace looks at me, something unreadable passing across his face, but he nods.
As the music comes to an end, I take a deep breath. My heart is racing, but I feel a strange sense of calm settling over me.
I turn to the others—Ben, Tanner, Axel—each of them watching me with their own emotions hidden behind careful expressions. They’re waiting for me, and I owe them the truth.
“Come upstairs to my room,” I say. “All of you.”
CHAPTER 30
BEN
The hall is dimly lit,the golden glow of the wedding decorations casting long shadows over the room as the night stretches on. Most of the guests are still milling about, celebrating, laughing. Emily told us to wait for a few minutes before coming after her. This is her way of making sure we don’t take the attention away from Hailey in any way. Thanks to Chloe, we’ve had more than a few curious glances thrown at us. But I don’t really care.
