Chapter 39
Suddenly, a pair of arms encircled Emily. Hands found their way to her hair. Nicolas’s face dug itself into her neck. He held onto her desperately. Like he was scared she’d disappear.
Emily tugged at his arms so she could look at him, but he buried himself deeper against her neck. “Nicolas…” He shook his head, his breaths coming out in uneven puffs. “Hey. Look at me, please, Nico. What’s wrong?”
He finally looked up at her. His eyes were red.
She became frantic, her hands cupping his face. “Wait. Why are you—”
“I’m sorry,” he croaked.
She halted.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that on your own.” He shook with a heavy exhale. “If I’d just approached you back then. If I’d just ignored any sense of rationality, maybe you wouldn’t have felt so alone. Maybe you’d have had me, even as a friend.”
Her lips parted, breath hitching in her throat.
“Because I would’ve protected you, Emily.” His voice cracked, his resolve breaking. “I wouldn’t have let anyone hurt you. Not even your own family.”
Her heart ached. This beautiful man was crying for her. For the pain that she’d endured.
Emily wiped at the rim of his eyes, getting rid of the tears that threatened to spill. “It’s okay,” she assured him. “We’re together now. And I’m so much better. I’m alright.”
He didn’t look convinced, brows still furrowed, and the lines in his face contorted.
“What I just said was what needed to be said a long time ago. Don’t be sad about it, baby.”
“You really are the strongest person I know,” he aired with conviction. His hands cradled her cheeks. They were now holding each other in the same way.
“I believe you.”
“Bravest person I know,” he followed up.
She laughed. “Okay, I get it.”
His forehead dropped to hers, their lips hovering. “And did you just call me baby?”
Her lips pressed together to fight a big, stupid grin. “Nope, you’re hearing things.”
“I don’t think—”
“Emily!”
It was her grandmother. Rose Pinault was dressed in a embroidered gold gown. Her smile outshone it.
Emily grasped her dress’s sleeve to wipe at Nicolas’s eyes. She gave him a smile before turning around.
“Grandmother!” She met the elderly woman with a hug.
“Oh, dear, I haven’t seen you in forever!” She patted her back affectionately. “How have you been doing all this time? Your mother told us that you’ve started acting again, good for you!”
“I’m doing well. And yes, I’ve started acting again. I was wrong for thinking I could live without it for so long.”
Her tender gaze shifted. “And who is this handsome young man?”
“This is Nicolas…my husband.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Grandmother…”
Rose waved her hands quickly. “I’m not upset. You just startled an old lady, that’s all. I’m late with my wishes but congratulations, both of you.”
As expected, her grandmother was more understanding when it came to issues like these.
“Thank you.”
She indicated for them to follow her into the backyard where the others had gathered.
“So when was the wedding?”
Both of them looked at each other until Nicolas confessed, “We’re legally wed, but we haven’t had the church ceremony yet, ma’am. We were hoping both our families could be there when that special day comes.”
To anyone else, given her distance with them, that sounded like he cared about her family being present and that’s why they never did it. She knew her grandmother was thinking the same thing from the way her mouth spread into a grin.
“That’s wonderful.” Her eyes turned to Emily. “Juliet will be thrilled to hear that. She’s always wanted to have the luxury of picking out your wedding dress. She seemed kind of sad about something. Now we know what.”
Emily snorted. “Why, by all means, she can knock herself out. You know I don’t like the hassle of shopping nor decorating. Remember when I slept the entire day before Christmas so I could excuse myself from helping to set up?”
“How could I forget? You rotten child!” Emily giggled at the insult. “Your sister grumbled the whole day about it. It didn’t help that the tree James bought was the size of a truck. Lord help that child and his lack of discernment.”
Nicolas had been away for too long. He’d gone to the restroom and hadn’t returned. This had been the only time he’d gotten a break, but it was a suspiciously long one.
“Emily, let me talk to you for a second…”
“Not now, Jason.”
She gasped when her obnoxious cousin tugged her anyway to the side of the staircase.
His eyes were venomous. “Do you think you’re some big shot now that you’ve got new backing?”
“I’m surprised you have the guts to say this when you looked seconds away from kissing said backing’s feet.”
She spared no false pretenses when it came to him. He was worse than the twins.
“That’s all business,” he snapped. “Something you’d know nothing about with your little career as an actress.”
“I’d be offended if you were actually a successful businessman, Jason. Don’t think I didn’t overhear Aunt Evelyn coaxing you to bring up your store’s impending bankruptcy to Grandfather. You Evanses are so disgusting. Even on his birthday you’re opportunistic.”
“Shut the hell up!” Jason shouted, the veins in his neck bulging. “What the fuck do you know about me and my business? You women don’t know shit but always act like you do.”
“Well, from a man’s perspective, even Nicolas hinted earlier that it’s the last breath it’s about to take financially.” His eyes widened. “I also heard you borrowed money from some shady people. Are you that stupid? They said they’ll have a bounty on your head if you don’t pay up!”
“My friend introduced me. It was a great interest rate, beat what the banks were offering,” he rambled. “You don’t have to worry about it. Grandfather just agreed to help me out. I’ll pay them back once the deposit hits.”
“You really are the worst.”
Emily shoved past him, making him hit the staircase, groaning.
She stepped outside, her eyes sweeping the yard for any sign of her husband.
Then she saw it.
A silhouette, illuminated by the outdoor lights, moving to face another.
Bridget’s nasally voice came. “Why don’t you ditch my cousin and come have some fun with me? I am the prettiest in this household for a reason. I’m also quite skilled in areas she isn’t. Not that I’m outing her or anything.”
Okay, that’s it.
Emily took three steps and blocked Nicolas from the redhead. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
“Emily! Nice of you to join us, though honestly, it was better without you here.”
“Gee, I wonder why.”
Nicolas’s head turned to her. “Bridget was just—”
“I know what Bridget was doing just fine,” Emily interrupted cooly. “This conversation ends here.”
Her hand went to encircle Nicolas’s arm, but Bridget intercepted, taking a hold of it. She held Emily’s hand, giving it a painful squeeze.
The passive look on Emily’s face remained intact. “Are you trying to start something here?”
Bridget arched a brow. “Are you?”
Emily leaned in, her cousin’s nails sinking into her skin.
“If you didn’t know, let me tell you now.
I’m done playing your childish games. You tried it with Jake, but I guess he was too scared to risk anything this close to home.
It’s no secret that you have a big mouth and it’d take all the money in the world to keep it shut.
” Bridget gasped. “But this man? You can’t have him.
You won’t have him, you won’t even get the chance to try. ”
Emily pulled back with a smile that could cause cavities because of how sweet it was. Her free hand wrapped around Bridget’s, ripping it from hers.
Nicolas opened his mouth, but Emily cut him off again, “I think we’ve had enough of you meeting my family. We’re going home.”