Chapter 21 Emily
EMILY
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of the sleek, emerald-green dress that hugs every curve just right.
I have to admit, I look good. The color makes my eyes pop, and the neckline, which dips just enough to be flirty but not scandalous, draws attention to my collarbone in a way that’s both elegant and sexy.
When I was younger, I used to be self-conscious about my big body, but I love taking up space now. And the guys seem to love it…all four of them. I briefly close my eyes and think about the way they gripped my hips as they stroked in and out of me.
Shit.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
How did I end up here? I like all of them—Jace, Ben, Tanner, Axel—in different ways, and that’s the problem.
The rational part of me says it’s ridiculous, impossible, but another part of me…
I don’t know. It’s like I’m drawn to them, like I can’t help it.
Sounds a bit too similar to some books I’ve read.
Could they be my fated mates? Did I just bang a pack of wolves? Pfff… Emily get a hold of yourself.
And that thought alone sends another shiver of nerves down my spine.
But sooner or later, we’re going to have to have that tough conversation.
I’ve faced plenty of challenging situations in my life, but nothing like this.
Did something happen to me in that car wreck?
Because this isn’t about logistics or strategy or making plans.
This is about hearts and emotions and the impossible task of figuring out how I feel when my feelings seem to be pulling me in four very different directions.
I spot Tanner standing near the entrance to the dining hall, looking devilishly handsome in a fitted black shirt and slacks, his dark hair styled back.
“Wow,” he breathes as I approach, his eyes widening as he takes me in. “Emily, you…you look…”
“Hot?” I offer with a teasing smile, my nerves easing slightly at the stunned look on his face.
“Yeah,” he murmurs, swallowing hard. “Definitely that.”
Heat flushes my cheeks, and I smile, feeling a little steadier. But just as Tanner steps forward, reaching for my hand, someone else appears beside us.
“Hey, Em,” Jace’s familiar voice rumbles, and I whirl around, my heart doing a ridiculous little flip when I see him.
He’s in a crisp white button-down, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his dark hair tousled like he just ran his fingers through it.
He looks effortlessly good, like he always does, and my throat tightens.
“Jace,” I manage to say, my voice a little breathless. He steps in, leaning down, and before I can react, he presses a soft kiss to my cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he murmurs against my ear. “Absolutely stunning.”
“Thanks,” I manage to say before Tanner speaks.
“We should get going. The dinner is about to start.”
“Um,” I begin, glancing between him and Jace who’s rolling his eyes.
“Oh, you’re here too,” Axel drawls, and I blink as he steps up, his gaze sweeping over me with that familiar intensity that makes my knees weak. He’s in his usual rugged attire—a black button-down, dark jeans—but somehow, it looks almost…formal. Polished. Like he made an effort, just for me.
“I was just about to escort Emily inside,” Tanner says, crossing his arms defensively.
“Well, isn’t that sweet,” Axel replies, his lips quirking in a smirk. “Too bad I’m here now. Maybe I should be the one to walk her in.”
“Um, guys—”
“Not so fast,” Ben interrupts, and my head spins as he strides over, his dark hair neatly combed, his eyes serious as he looks at the three of them. “We should let Emily decide who she wants to walk in with.”
I gape at him, my heart racing. Is this really happening right now? In the middle of the hotel lobby?
“Ben,” I say softly, but he doesn’t look at me. He’s too busy staring down Tanner, Jace, and Axel, like he’s daring them to disagree.
“What?” Tanner shoots back, glaring at Ben. “It’s my turn. I’m the one who asked her to dinner first, so obviously, I’m—”
“I had no idea this was a competition,” Jace drawls.
“I think we’re losing sight of the bigger picture,” Axel interjects, his tone deceptively mild. “Which is that we all want to—”
“Okay!” I blurt, throwing up my hands. “Can we not do this right now?”
They all fall silent, glancing at each other sheepishly, and I take a deep breath, trying to get my racing pulse under control. God, they’re like…like kids. Jealous, competitive kids.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” I say firmly, lifting my chin. “We’re all going to walk in—together. Because I’m not going to stand here and watch you guys argue about something so stupid.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Ben says.
I feel my cheeks heating up.
“We’re all going to walk in, and we’re going to sit down like adults and have a nice dinner. No fighting, no pouting, no—” I break off, gesturing vaguely. “None of this. Got it?”
There’s a moment of silence, and then, slowly, they all nod, exchanging wary glances.
“Got it,” Ben murmurs.
“Sure,” Tanner grumbles.
“Whatever you say, Em,” Axel drawls, but there’s a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Jace just rolls his eyes. “You’re the boss.”
“Good.” I exhale, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. “Now, let’s go.”
But I can practically feel the tension radiating off them as we walk towards the long, beautifully decorated table in the center of the room. Servers are already serving wine and cheese, and the air is crisp and hot.
No one can literally tell we’re snowed in.
I mean I’m not surprised, Jace and Hailey come from a rich family, and Sam probably makes thousands of dollars a month as a lawyer.
It’s a jarring difference from my life working my marketing job in the city where I almost always ran out of money by the end of the month.
There’s another thing I notice. Most of the seats are taken up. There’s no way all five of us are sitting together. Jace spots one of the empty chairs and gestures for me to sit down. “Ladies first,” he murmurs.
The four of them hesitate, and I can see the silent argument unfolding as they all glance between me and the remaining chair. Axel’s jaw tightens, Jace crosses his arms, Tanner arches a brow, and Ben just…sighs.
“Guys,” I say, my voice low and pleading. “Please.”
“Yeah, guys,” Tanner echoes, smirking as he reaches for the chair. “Let’s not make a scene.”
But before he can pull it out, Axel steps forward, his gaze hard. “I’ll sit next to her.”
“Like hell you will!” Jace snaps.
“Actually,” Ben cuts in, his voice tight, “maybe I should—”
“For God’s sake,” I mutter under my breath, feeling my cheeks burn as a few of the guests glance our way, curious. “Just—someone sit down, okay?”
There’s another beat of tense silence.
Then Tanner huffs, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Fine. Go ahead, bro,” he mutters, stepping back and crossing his arms. “Be my guest.”
Axel glares at him, but he takes the seat beside me. I sigh in relief. Thank God that didn’t escalate. The rest of them scatter around the table, but once in a while, I catch them glaring at me.
As much as I want to enjoy the evening, there’s a sinking feeling in my chest.
Because sooner or later, I will have to face the truth.
I like all of them, and I like being around them. I don’t want to give any of it up.
But that’s not how this works, is it?
Axel keeps on talking. He’s funny, and really smooth. Out of the corner of my eye, I can’t help but notice the way Chloe flounces in, her tight red dress hugging her willowy frame as she saunters over to the table.
I frown. What is she doing here? And why is she wearing that? “She’s not even part of the wedding party,” I mumble.
“What?” Axel says.
“Nothing,” I say, watching to my dismay as she scans the table before she beelines towards one of the empty seats at the head of the table…right next to Jace.
Her gaze slides to Jace as she leans in, her lips curving into a too-bright smile.
“Ugh,” I mutter under my breath, unable to tear my eyes away as she laughs softly at something Jace says.
“Hey,” Axel murmurs beside me, his voice low and deep, drawing my attention. I glance up, startled to find him watching me intently. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “It’s just…Chloe.”
He frowns, his gaze flicking to the head of the table. “Who’s Chloe?”
I hesitate, chewing on my lip. But then I blow out a breath, lowering my voice. “She’s…we went to school together. She was always the ‘It’ girl. The one everyone wanted to be, you know?”
Axel’s frown deepens, his jaw tightening. “And?”
“And…she kind of stole the guy I went to prom with. I mean, she didn’t actually steal him, but he ended up leaving with her.”
“That’s Jace, isn’t it?” Axel says quietly.
I’m not sure how much Jace has told his friends about us. Tanner caught up, but I don’t know how he would feel about me discussing this with Axel. But Axel is looking at me in a way that’s impossible not to tell him everything.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters,” Axel says quietly, his eyes darkening. “Sounds like she was a real piece of work.”
“Yeah, well, she’s just…” I trail off, my gaze drifting back to where Chloe is now leaning close to Jace, her hand casually resting on his arm. “She’s perfect, you know? Skinny and gorgeous and—”
“No comparison,” Axel growls softly, his gaze locked on mine. “She’s jealous of you, not the other way around.”
I blink, taken aback. “Jealous of me?”
“Yeah, you,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a low, sexy rumble that sends shivers down my spine.
He leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear.
“You’re beautiful, Em. She’s got nothing on you.
I can feel myself getting hard, and you haven’t even touched me yet.
That’s the kind of effect you have on me,” he whispers in my ear.
Jesus.