Oops, I Stole Your Heart (Valentine’s Sweethearts)

Chapter 1

1

LILA & JACK’S WEDDING

E mily stood at the edge of the dance floor, champagne in hand, her smile doing its best impression of "joyful but not too desperate." Around her, the crowd swirled in vibrant colors, laughter mingling with soft strains of music.

Lila was radiant in her wedding dress, gazing up at Jack like they were the love story of the century. And Emily? She was trying not to scratch the lace threatening to drive her insane.

She took a sip of champagne and tried to squash the stubborn tug of loneliness. This was Lila’s day, and Lila deserved every ounce of happiness. If Emily focused hard enough on that thought, maybe she could forget that feeling of being an extra in someone else’s rom-com—minus the paycheck or the popcorn.

A warm voice at her side snapped her out of her reverie. “Still tugging at your sleeves?” Will Tanner grinned down at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Emily dropped her hand as if the lace had bitten her. “Me? Never. This dress and I are best friends—best, slightly suffocating friends.”

“Sure,” he drawled, his grin widening. “But I noticed you’ve been avoiding the dance floor. Afraid of showing off those giraffe-in-heels moves?”

“Not afraid,” she said, deadpan. “I just thought I’d save you the trouble of pretending I don’t look like a baby deer on roller skates.”

Their laughter mingled, easy and familiar. Will’s grin softened as his gaze shifted across the room, landing on Evie Benson. Emily caught the change immediately.

“You’re staring,” she teased, taking another sip of champagne. “Should I start planning the wedding now, or are you planning to say hi first?”

Will blinked, startled. “I’m not staring.”

“You’re right. You’re wistfully gazing. Totally different,” she said with mock solemnity. She patted his arm. “Go talk to her before I start embroidering your initials onto a tea towel.”

He groaned, but the grin he shot her said he wasn’t mad. “Thanks, Emily. Really.”

“You’re welcome. Now get out of here before I start charging for pep talks.”

As Will moved away, Emily let her gaze wander to the dance floor. She felt the ache beneath her amusement sharpen. Lila was stepping into her “forever,” and Emily was… well, standing here, cracking jokes to mask the void.

It wasn’t jealousy. Not exactly. It was more like wistfulness, laced with the tiniest pinch of envy and a side of champagne.

Emily sighed and moved toward the refreshments, hoping for a moment of solitude. But just as she reached for a glass of punch, someone bumped into her from behind, sending the drink splashing across her dress.

“Oh, fantastic,” she muttered, staring at the sticky red stain spreading over her bodice.

“Here,” Evie Benson appeared at her side, holding out a damp cloth. “Emergency punch cloth. A must-have at any event.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, taking the cloth. “ Do you carry one of these everywhere, or just when I’m around?”

“Small-town weddings are unpredictable,” Evie said with a grin. “You’re doing fine, though. No headline-worthy disasters yet.”

“Give it time,” Emily replied, dabbing at the stain. “I like to save the really good stuff for the grand finale.”

As the music shifted, Emily turned toward the dance floor and saw Doug leading Lila in a graceful, simple rhythm. Her chest tightened. Moments like these, so full of love and celebration, pressed against the tender places in her heart—places she tried hard not to think about.

Doug approached her as the song ended, his hand outstretched. “Would you give an old man the honor of a dance?”

Emily hesitated, glancing at his leg. “But your knee…”

“Dancing’s less about the steps and more about the company,” Doug said, his warm gaze inviting her to join him.

She slipped her hand into his. “In that case, let’s make them all jealous.”

As they swayed, Doug’s hand gently squeezed hers. “You’re family to us, Emily. Don’t ever doubt that.”

The words wrapped around her like a warm blanket. “Thank you, Doug. That means a lot.”

“One day, it’ll be your turn, you know,” he said, his voice kind but sure. “And when it is, I’ll be here to dance with you again.”

Emily laughed softly, even as a lump formed in her throat. “Careful, Doug. Promises like that might make me hold you to another dance later.”

Bridal Suite with Lila

The night was winding down, and Emily found herself in the bridal suite, helping Lila out of her wedding gown and into her going-away dress.

“Careful,” Emily murmured, easing the lace off Lila’s shoulders. “If this dress gets so much as a snag, you’ll never forgive me.”

Lila laughed, her voice soft but still tinged with the joy of the day. “Relax, Em. I’m not planning to wear it again. I just want to keep it pristine, you know? For the future.”

Emily carefully draped the dress over a hanger. “ Future as in...?”

“Maybe my daughter,” Lila said, smoothing the fabric lightly. “Or my granddaughter. Who knows?”

Emily smiled, a soft warmth spreading in her chest. “Well, if she’s anything like you, she’ll look stunning in it. Hopefully with better taste in shoes.”

“Rude,” Lila teased, sticking her tongue out.

“You’re welcome,” Emily shot back, grinning.

Lila turned to her, now in a simple but elegant navy dress that made her look more like herself. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling. “Thank you, Emily. For everything. Today was perfect because of you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Emily said, waving it off. “You and Jack are the ones who made it perfect. I just handed out programs and kept the flower girl from eating her bouquet.”

“Not true,” Lila said firmly. “You’ve been my rock through all of this. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Emily busied herself straightening the train of the gown. “Don’t go getting sappy on me now, Mrs. Perkins. I’m not emotionally equipped for that. You know I’m an ugly crier! ”

“Too late.” Lila pulled her into a hug. “I love you, Em.”

Emily let herself sink into the warmth of the embrace. “I love you too, Lil. And for the record, Jack’s a lucky guy. You two are going to be ridiculously happy together.”

As Lila pulled back, her eyes shone. “Ridiculously happy, huh? That’s the plan.”

“Good,” Emily said, her voice steady despite the ache beneath it. “Because if he ever makes you less than ridiculously happy, he’ll have me to answer to.”

Lila laughed, wiping at her eyes. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”