Page 81 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Ben nods, his expression serious. “No. It’s not.”
“But hey,” Tanner says, flashing a grin as he raises his glass, “at least we’ve got each other, right?”
Jace snorts. “Yeah, real comforting. Remind me again, what do they say about competition?”
“So, let’s call a truce then,” I say. “Nobody makes a move on her. Let her choose.”
“She’s going to pick me,” Tanner says.
“Don’t be so cocky now,” Jace says. “And Axel is right. It has to be Emily’s choice, whoever she picks.”
“So unfair,” Tanner says, blowing out a breath.
“I think it’s completely fair,” Ben says. “So it’s decided then?”
I nod. “Emily is off-limits.” I finish the rest of my drink and put it down, wondering how the hell I’m going to resist her.
CHAPTER 23
EMILY
I didn’t sleeplast night. I couldn’t. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying Whit’s ridiculous proposal over and over again. The shock of it, the audacity. But underneath the anger, I felt something else—a pang of guilt. Not because of Whit, but because I ran out. I left Hailey’s rehearsal dinner in a mess of emotions, and now I feel terrible about it.
So today, I’m throwing myself into wedding prep. If nothing else, it’ll keep me busy. Keep my mind off everything.
I make my way downstairs, where Collie is already bustling around, clipboard in hand.
“Good morning, Emily,” Collie says with a bright smile, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose. “Feeling better today?”
“Yeah,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Much better.”
“Good to hear,” she says.
“Hey, Collie, Hailey asked me to coordinate for her wedding prep as her maid of honor. I know you’re overseeing the logistics.”
“Of course, I’m here to help with everything you need. I assume you and the other gentleman got the cake ready.”
“Yeah,” I say, blushing a little. “It’s ready to go.”
“Excellent,” she says.
“We’ve got a lot to do before the ceremony tomorrow. Decorations, seating arrangements, flowers or at least a good replacement…”
“I’ll put a note next to that,” she says. “Are you doing this alone?”
“Some of them are supposed to be helping me,” I say. But after what happened last night, I don’t really know how to talk to them about it. What must they have been thinking about Whit’s proposal? Do they think I led him on? I’m in way over my head here.
I need to keep my head in the game. Hailey deserves the best, and I owe her that after the way I bolted last night.
“I had some of my boys bring out the spare stuff from the storeroom,” she says. “It’s right over here if you want to check it out.”
“That’s great,” I say.
“The wedding’s going to be at the Great Hall. The bride initially wanted it outside but I don’t think that’s possible anymore.”
“Yeah, Hailey always wanted an outdoor wedding, but it’s fine.”
I hear voices from across the room as I’m about to ask Collie what’s first on the list. I glance up and freeze.
