Chapter 21 Emily #2
My heart stutters, my cheeks heating as his words wash over me. God, the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the most stunning thing he’s ever seen.
“Axel,” I murmur, feeling breathless. “I—”
But before I can finish, a voice interrupts us, sharp and impatient.
“Emily!” Hailey’s voice rings out, and I jump, turning to see her standing a few chairs down, hands on her hips. “What are you doing down there?”
“I—” I blink, glancing around. “Sitting?”
“Well, don’t,” she huffs, pointing to the chair beside her, right at the head of the table where Jace and Chloe are currently sitting. “You’re my maid of honor. Come sit next to me.”
Slowly, I rise from my chair, smoothing my dress down as I walk over to Hailey. I’m not even sure where she wants me to sit as all the chairs are taken by people. But Hailey has other ideas. She turns to Chloe.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Hailey asks sweetly, tilting her head.
“Oh,” she says, her voice a little higher than usual. “Um, I—”
“Chloe,” I say as a savage satisfaction shoots through me. “I hope this is not a problem.”
Chloe blinks, her smile faltering. “N-no, of course not.”
“Great,” Hailey chirps, stepping aside and gesturing to the now-vacant seat. “Emily, right here. Next to me.”
I glance at Jace as I slide into the chair, catching the smirk on his lips, the way his gaze warms as it sweeps over me. He leans back, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he takes in Chloe’s flustered expression.
“Glad you could join us,” he murmurs softly, his voice low before he looks down the table, his smirk widening as it finds Axel, Ben, and Tanner. Jace is practically gloating. He puts a hand behind my chair possessively.
“So,” I murmur, leaning back slightly, my gaze sliding to Jace. “Having a good time?”
He grins, his eyes glittering with mischief. “Oh, I am now.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Guilty as charged,” he murmurs, his gaze dropping to my lips. “You gonna hold it against me?”
The heat in his eyes makes my stomach flip, but before I can respond, Hailey cuts in.
“You guys are adorable,” she says, sighing happily as she pours herself a fresh glass of wine. “I always knew you two would end up together.”
“Hailey—” I start, but she waves me off.
“I always knew you were going to find your way back to each other,” Hailey says.
My cheeks flush, and I glance down at my hands. But out of the corner of my eye, I catch Chloe’s expression—tight and strained, her knuckles white as she grips her fork.
Jace’s arm rests on the back of my chair, casual but possessive, and I can feel the heat of his body, his presence so reassuring and comfortable. It’s like everything is finally falling into place, and for the first time in a long time, I’m actually having fun.
The guys are all watching us, I can feel it.
Axel’s jaw is tight, Tanner looks like he’s trying way too hard not to stare, and Ben…
Ben’s gaze keeps flicking between me and Jace, a storm brewing in his eyes.
They’re jealous. It’s obvious. And it’s weirdly thrilling to be in the center of all of it, to be the one they’re all focused on.
Jace leans in a little closer, his lips brushing my ear as he murmurs something else—something teasing, playful—and I can’t help but laugh again, my heart skipping. He’s claiming me, in front of everyone, and I know it. And I know they know it, too.
And then I see him.
My heart stutters, my breath catching in my throat as Whit strides into the dining hall, his eyes immediately locking on mine. Everything around me slows down, my good mood evaporating in an instant as I sit up straighter, my stomach churning.
He’s striding toward me with that arrogant swagger that used to make my stomach flip for all the wrong reasons. Now, it just makes me sick.
“Whit,” I manage to say, my voice a little shaky. “What are you—?”
And then he does it.
Right in front of everyone.
He drops down on one knee.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth as the entire room seems to suck in a collective breath.
Whit looks up at me, his eyes glinting with something…determined. It’s not love. It’s not even affection. It’s possession. Like I’m something he’s entitled to, something he’s already claimed.
“Emily,” he says, his voice loud and clear, cutting through the stunned silence of the room. “I’ve made mistakes. I know that. But I’ve had time to think and realize now that I can’t live without you. You’re the love of my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
My heart is pounding so hard I can barely breathe, my throat tightening as I sit there, completely frozen. This isn’t happening. This cannot be happening.
He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, and the room gasps again.
“No, no, no,” I whisper under my breath, shaking my head. But he’s not listening.
“I know I’ve hurt you, but I’ve changed,” Whit continues, his voice smooth and confident, like he’s rehearsed this a hundred times. “I’m asking you, here in front of everyone, to give me another chance. To marry me.”
He opens the box, revealing a massive diamond ring that catches the light, sparkling brilliantly.
I can’t breathe. I can’t think. My entire body has gone numb, my heart hammering in my chest.
This can’t be real. This can’t be happening. Not here. Not now.
I hear Jace mutter something under his breath, his arm tightening around the back of my chair, but I can’t even look at him. I can’t look at anyone. I’m too busy staring at the man kneeling in front of me—the man who once broke me and is now proposing to me like I’m some prize to be won.
“I love you, Emily,” he says. “I have always loved you.”
“No,” I finally manage to whisper, my voice cracking. “Whit, get up.”
His eyes flicker with surprise, and for the first time, a crack appears in his confident mask. “What?”
“I said get up,” I repeat, louder this time, my voice shaking but firm. “This…This isn’t happening.”
Whit starts to frown. “What are you saying—”
Without another word, I bolt from the table, my heart pounding so hard in my chest that it feels like it might burst. The sounds of the room—murmurs, gasps, and chairs scraping against the floor—fade into the background as I push through the doors, my feet carrying me blindly down the hall.
I don’t even know where I’m going. I just need to get out.