CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Emily
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Emily
I love weddings. There’s something about weddings that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe because of the magic that brings two people to decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together. Bon and Ryan make it look like an easy decision, but I can’t imagine loving someone enough that I’m willing to be vulnerable every day of my life.
I’m doing my hair and makeup with Haley and Kate when we see Rob pass by with Denise. She’s laughing, leaning her head back, while they’re hand in hand. I hate to admit it, but they look… happy.
Joshua is with Bon at their house. They’re busy doing family portraits, so I haven’t seen him since last night.
Oh, boy, last night . It seems like such a long time ago. But something happened last night that seems monumental for us. We openly admitted our mutual attraction to each other. I know, it sounds like the recipe for disaster. But hidden in nostalgia and the excuse of having to act here in Magnolia Heights, we both just accepted it. And just vowed to enjoy whatever we have for however long it lasts. Which is five more days.
I don’t know if that’s a good idea (probably not), but I like him, and I also don’t want to weigh us both down with expectations of what comes next. So, maybe we’re casual? Maybe we’re friends? Or maybe I don’t have to rack my brain for a label.
As I step out of the house to make my way to the community hall, I spot Joshua from the other side of the street. He gives me a wave, and I smile back. Just as I’m about to cross the road to go to him, I hear a voice call behind me.
“Emily.” I whirl and see Rob approaching me.
“What’s up?” I try to act like his mere presence doesn’t make me want to throw him in front of a bus.
“I just want to say sorry, I realize I never got the chance to.” I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure as hell was not an apology.
“Uh, thanks…” I say.
He nods, but before I can respond, his eyes flicker toward Joshua, who’s watching us from across the street. Rob’s expression hardens, and suddenly, the apology feels less like an olive branch and more like a formality. “So you can cut this out,” he says, gesturing toward Joshua and me.
“Cut what out?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“This.” He waves a hand between Joshua and me. “I know what you’re doing. Using him to get to me. Congratulations, you’ve done it. You know how I feel about the guy—always handed everything on a silver platter, always smug. You can stop now.”
I stare at him, disbelief bubbling up inside me. I scoff and say, “Excuse me?”
“Come on, you don’t really think he’s serious about you, do you?” he says. No, Rob, we’re not serious about each other.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business now.”
“Em,” Rob steps closer and attempts to touch my arm, but I swat his away before he can even get close.
“Don’t,” I say firmly.
He snorts. “Emily, he’s not the kind of guy you want. He’s… dangerous, he’s a player. He’s gonna hurt you.”
“Oh my gosh, Rob, you have to stop projecting your insecurities,” I say lightly. “You’re not any of that, and yet you were the one who cheated on me.”
He reaches out for me again, his eyes pleading. “Emily.”
“Stop,” I say. Once again, I take a step back, but this time, I bump into Joshua’s chest, which is probably made of cement.
“She said stop,” Joshua says calmly.
“Joshua, this isn’t—” Rob starts.
“Yeah, it is,” Joshua cuts him off, stepping closer. He’s a head taller than Rob, his posture relaxed yet commanding. “You’ve said your piece. Now walk away.”
Joshua, when he’s like this, reminds me of how he was back when I was a teenager. The protectiveness. The commanding presence. The way he can control a situation just by standing there. He’s so… hot. I shake my head. I’m not going down that road today.
“Just go, Rob, please,” I add.
Rob rubs his jaw, his eyes teasing. “Why are you acting so sensitive about this? Are you getting your period or something?”
Oh, wow . Josh steps forward, and Rob steps back, but I hold Josh’s arm to keep him in place. He understands me and lets me step in front of him. He remains behind me, unwavering and supportive.
I scoff, shaking my head. “You’re never going to get it, are you?” My voice drops to a whisper, steady but cutting.
“What?” Rob snaps, his frustration barely concealed.
“You don’t see me—or any woman—as a person. To you, we’re just a category.” I shrug, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. “When I stand up to you, it’s hormones. When I told you what happened in that toxic office, you chalked it up to my ‘pretty face.’ And when I landed the job in New York? You didn’t call me capable or deserving. You called me lucky. Always lucky.”
I watch his face shift, his mouth opening to protest, but I don’t let him. My voice remains calm, deliberate. “You need to be on top. And the moment you’re not, you tear me down to make yourself feel bigger. When I got to New York, you couldn’t handle the idea that I’d outgrown the little box you shoved me into. So you were done—already off to find someone else who’d make you feel important.”
I take a step closer, my gaze steady on his, unwavering. “If you want to keep her around this time, remember one thing: women don’t exist to fit into the boxes you build for us. We’re not trophies for your ego or mirrors for your self-worth. We’re people—whether you choose to see it or not.”
I manage to stun Rob into silence. So I turn on my heel, ready to leave this conversation behind, but something makes me pause. I glance back over my shoulder and add, “You know? Things would have been a lot easier if I hadn’t listened to you and just called Joshua when I first landed in Manhattan.”
Rob opens his mouth, probably to fire back something cutting, but I don’t give him the chance. I walk away, feeling the weight lift from my shoulders with each step.
“That was amazing, you deserve a reward for that,” Joshua says as he keeps up with me.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Hand it over,” I joke.
Without missing a beat, he wraps his arm around me and presses a soft kiss to the top of my head. “There. Rewarded.”
I nudge him with my elbow, smiling up at him. “That’s not a reward, you goon. That’s a distraction.”
The sun is up in the sky, and it’s almost time for the ceremony. I can see Haley jogging behind us, and Kate making last minute checks on the cake she baked. Everyone is slowly coming to the hall, dressed in pristine fashion.
As we walk toward our places, I say to Joshua, “You didn’t have to save me back there, you know.”
“I didn’t save you, Emily. I helped you. There’s a difference.”
Everyone is gathered in the hall, which looks like something out of a dream. The space is filled with fresh sunflowers and lush tropical plants, their colors popping against the elegant decor. Guests are dressed in vibrant floral dresses, while the men sport traditional barongs that add a formal, timeless touch. Us bridesmaids are in flowing pastel gowns, each of us a different color—I’m in soft blue, like the sky.
As everyone rises to welcome Bon, I glance over and catch Joshua already looking at me. He flashes a subtle smile, one that doesn’t look like a smile if you don’t know him well enough. Just as I’m about to look away, he winks, sending a flutter through my stomach that I have to fight back.
Then Bon enters, and all my attention is on her. She’s radiant in a champagne-colored wedding dress that sparkles softly in the light, capturing her joyful, free-spirited nature. The gown flows with every step, playful yet elegant, perfectly matching the orange sapphire ring on her finger.
When they exchange vows, the words are so sincere, so full of love, that they feel like the most beautiful vows ever uttered. I can’t help the tears as they trickle down my face.
Love like this… it’s so breathtaking and terrifyingly rare. I watch Bon, my best friend, standing there with her entire heart in her eyes, and I realize I want this too. A relationship that’s fierce and fragile, honest and safe.
I hate how my brain immediately conjures the image of Joshua, just as I’m opening myself up to this hope. It's like he’s found his way into my thoughts, into places he shouldn’t be, where I promised myself I’d never let him go.
But I know better. I can’t fall in love with him. We’re just in a stupid ruse; he’s my best friend’s brother, he’s someone who could undo everything in my life if I let him. The list goes on. Yet even as I say it to myself, over and over— I can’t fall in love with him, I can’t fall in love with him, I can’t fall in love with him —I can’t help but think that knowing better doesn’t make me want it any less.