Present
Hours later, a ringing pierced the air, and I cracked open my eyelids, wincing at the light streaming through the windows.
“Hello?” I heard Will answer.
I rolled over and snuggled into his back, chasing the warmth of last night.
He’d been holding me all night in between spells of waking up to have sex, and I was going to kill whoever was bothering him this early. I had no plans to leave The Carfax Room today.
“Uh, just a minute,” he said and turned over, pulling me into his chest. “Hey, sorry I woke you.” He kissed my nose. “Rika’s on the phone.”
“For me?” I whined.
I felt the cell phone brush my hand as he tried to give it to me, and I kept my eyes closed, yawning as the warm jewelry on my ring finger tapped against the cell.
I smiled, remembering what happened last night.
“Hello?” I said.
“So, I hear you’re engaged,” she taunted.
I opened my eyes, narrowing my brows. “How…?”
But then I stopped myself. The videos. People were filming on the street.
Fantastic.
“Can you meet me?” she asked. “Alone?”
Alone?
I glanced up at Will, his eyes closed, but his thumb rubbing circles on my shoulder.
“Where?” I asked.
“The Carriage House in Meridian City.”
“Now?”
“An hour,” she clarified.
I kissed the lines of one of the tattoos on Will’s chest, unable to stop myself from grazing his soft skin with my lips.
“Two,” I told her.
I couldn’t leave him yet.
“See you soon,” she said.
We hung up, and I smiled, climbing back on top of him and feeling his body stir to life underneath me as a grin spread across his lips.
Yeah, you know what’s up. Come here.
• • •
Will tried to give me his car, but then I’d have to deal with parking, so I just took an Uber to Meridian City, instead.
I stepped down from the Jeep Cherokee, zipping up my brown leather jacket and looking up at the Carriage House sign, not even having to look through the windows to see the array of wedding dresses inside.
I knew what this place was. What did she want me for?
Asking someone to drive almost an hour to talk to you meant it was serious, and I’d really had enough drama to last a lifetime.
I was pretty sure she wasn’t angry with me, since we’d all been naked in the same room night before last, but that didn’t mean we were friends.
Yet.
The Jeep drove off, the sounds of the city behind me filling the air as horns honked in the distance, and pedestrians passed me from the left and right.
I looked down at my ring and couldn’t help the smile at how it suited me perfectly. Like I’d always worn it.
Heading toward the shop entrance, I smoothed back my hair, pulled tightly into a high ponytail, and slipped my hands into my pockets to ward off the chill in the air.
After I’d gotten off the phone with Erika, I’d logged online and canceled my credit and debit cards, since I had no idea where my wallet dropped after I was taken in San Francisco. Then, I transferred some funds from my bank there to the nearly empty bank account I still had here and went to a store and bought clothes to get me through the next few days.
Thankfully, I didn’t need replacement glasses, because Will had thought of that. Now I could see Martin if he were coming for me, which he hadn’t yet, strangely. I’d gone to the bank and shopping, all under the protection of Micah and Rory, of course, but it was like the jail break had never even happened.
Was he coming for us? Was Will ready?
I opened the door and stepped inside, the place appearing empty as I drifted around all the displays. I stepped into the dressing room, seeing Erika on the riser in a gorgeous gown of silk and sequins, the bodice tight and the sweetheart neckline complementing her body perfectly.
Her hair fell down her back as she looked at herself at all angles, and I inched in, seeing Winter speaking quietly into her phone as her fingers trailed over notes in her lap. I squinted, seeing the tips of her fingers move from left to right as she spoke.
Kai’s wife slouched in a white cushioned chair, tapping away on her laptop. Where was Alex?
I cleared my throat. “Um, hi,” I finally said.
They all looked up, Winter stopping her talking and turning toward my voice.
Erika spun around, her blue eyes bright. “Hey.”
She was gorgeous—almost regal in how she wore the gown.
I walked in, approaching her as I gripped the phone in my pocket that Will had given me. I was kind of tempted to run. I didn’t do well in groups of women. Erika Fane intimidated me, even in high school, and she was two years behind me.
She stared down at me, and it took a moment to square my shoulders and hold her eyes.
“So…” she said, trailing off.
So…
But she just kept staring at me.
Jesus, what? My cheeks warmed, wondering if it was the train car sex, me sending her friends to prison, or me breaking Will out of jail last night that I was going to get grilled about first, but then she took my hand and looked down at my engagement ring, her own snowflake diamond setting gleaming in the light.
She was going to tell me I wasn’t good enough for him.
She was going to tell me they couldn’t trust me.
But instead, she asked, “You happy?”
Am I happy?
Confusion, and then relief, hit me, and then…a laugh filled my throat, and I couldn’t keep it bottled up. I let out a chuckle, butterflies filling my stomach.
“That’s all I wanted to know,” Erika said, smiling at me. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
Well, that was easy. She gazed at me with her warm eyes, and I heard the other two say ‘congratulations’, as well.
“We’ve never been properly introduced.” She held out her hand. “Erika Fane. You can call me Rika.”
I took her hand. “Emory Scott.”
Kai’s wife set aside her laptop and stood up, offering me her hand. “Nikova Mori, but everyone calls me Banks.”
“Banks,” I repeated. But then I remembered. “Nikova,” I said to myself and then to her. “Nik? You’re Damon’s sister?”
She looked surprised, nodding. “That’s right.”
And then Rika chimed in again. “And so am I, actually.”
Huh?
But she waved me off. “It’s a long story. We’ll explain later.”
She and Banks weren’t related, though, were they? Or else that train thingy was a whole lot weirder now.
“Winter Torrance,” the other girl approached slowly, holding out both hands.
I took hers, shaking it. “It’s good to meet you all.”
“And you know Alex,” Rika said, nodding behind me and then hopping back up onto the riser.
I glanced over my shoulder, seeing her lean against the wall, her bag hanging at her side as she gazed at us, almost looking like she was waiting for an invitation.
I hadn’t seen her since we left the train, and I wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about anything.
Turning back to Rika, I told her, “You look really beautiful. Is that dress for a special occasion?”
“It’s my wedding dress.”
Her wedding dress?
Winter stepped up on the riser, running her hands down the fabric and then touching Rika’s face.
“It’s red.” She smiled. “I can feel it.”
The dress was strapless with red fabric, and a tight bodice featuring gold embroidery around the breasts. It hung on her like it grew out of her skin, and I loved her long blonde hair hanging down her back with it.
It was an unconventional dress color, but why was I even surprised? Why shouldn’t she do whatever she wanted?
Rika suddenly sucked in a breath and dropped her head, a couple of tears spilling down her face. “Best do this now and not down the aisle, I guess,” she told us, laughing a little as she raised her eyes again, looking utterly lost in a way that made her finally seem real. “So many emotions. My stomach is swimming. He’s never not did this to me, you know?”
I could relate. No matter how tough you thought you were, the one who owned your heart had the real power.
Banks spoke up, cooing, “Aw, that’s so sweet. You love him so much he makes you nauseated.”
I snorted, and Rika and Winter busted up with laugher. “To be frank, yes,” Rika barked playfully at Banks.
She twirled on the riser, the gown fanning out and the train rustling on the floor.
“He’s my life,” she said, “and I couldn’t be happier about that. Nothing is worth anything without him.” Turning, she looked at us, taking Winter’s hand as she gazed around the room. “I love you guys, you know? I love to fall, but I don’t want to do it alone.” Her chin trembled. “Thank you for being my family.”
I wasn’t so sure she loved me, having only recently met and all, but she was a little love drunk, so I took it. I hoped I was that happy on my wedding day.
She inhaled a deep breath and then clapped her hands. “All right, enough!” She wiped her eyes. “Champagne for everyone, and bring in the dresses!”
“Huh?” Winter asked.
But before Rika could answer, two carts of gowns were wheeled in, and a tray of glasses filled with sparkling, golden champagne.
“What is this?” Banks asked Rika.
Some lady carried the tray to Rika, and she plucked a glass of champagne off. “Pick your favorite and go try it on, so she can fit it,” Rika told us.
I looked at the racks, long dresses trailing to the floor in colors of black, silver, white, and gold.
Did this mean she wanted us in gowns, as well? Or…like bridesmaids?
“Rika, these are incredible,” Banks said, guiding Winter to the dresses. “Are you sure?”
Rika didn’t answer her, just dropped her eyes to me. “I hope you find something you like.”
“I don’t think—”
“Choose,” she said, cutting off my protest.
Then she spun around with the glass in her hand as the tailor checked the fit.
I turned, watching Banks and Winter sift through the choices, smiling and giggling like teenage girls, even though I knew they were both mothers now.
What was Rika thinking? I couldn’t be a bridesmaid, which I assumed that this was all about. She would only dress her bridal party, not the guests.
Still, though… I drifted over to the racks, seeing Banks pull out a black gown and Winter trailing her hands over the different fabrics.
I reached for a gold, sparkling A-line with long sleeves and a trim waist, but Alex cut me off, pulling a sheer silver off of the rack with a V-neck, spaghetti straps, and dark gray embroidery on it.
“This,” she told me.
I took it, not seeing how I could wear any underwear under this. It wasn’t see-through, but it was thin and hugged nearly every curve.
Banks and Winter disappeared into dressing rooms. I asked Alex, “Shouldn’t you be trying one on?”
“I have mine.”
Taking the dress, she led me into a small room and unhooked the white drapes, pulling them closed on us.
In minutes, we had my clothes off, heels on, and I was stepping into the gown as Alex pulled it up my body and fastened the hooks in the back. Awareness pricked at my skin as she touched me, and I worried that she was worried.
About what, I had no idea. There were too many things to count right now, but I wanted to talk to her. There were still no repercussions concerning Blackchurch, and we hadn’t heard a word about any survivors.
She hadn’t had closure with him. He could be dead.
“Margaritas and pizza tonight?” I teased.
Will would freak if I disappeared on him, but he was fine. She wasn’t.
“I’m working,” she said in a low voice, fastening the last hook.
Working… It only took a moment to click.
She had a date.
“No,” I said.
“There’s nothing wrong with what I do, Emory.”
“Is that what you told him when he tried to stop you?”
Her eyes shot up to mine, and I knew right then and there that I’d hit the nail on the head. Aydin should’ve fought harder, but he did try once, didn’t he? He came for her.
She stood up straight, and I wrapped my ponytail around my fist, creating an updo as I looked at myself in the mirror.
“We’re two of a kind, you know?” I told her. “Both too stubborn for our own good. He came after you, but your heart had steeled, and there was nothing to do except keep putting one foot in front of the other and never look back, right?”
I knew her, because I knew myself. We were the same.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she shook her head to herself. “I would’ve liked to make love to him just once.”
“So why didn’t you?”
“Because he wouldn’t pay for it,” she shot back, her eyes full of pride.
Pain hit my heart.
I dropped my ponytail and wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her tight. Her body stayed frozen for a moment, but then I felt her melt and she released a quiet sob against my shoulder.
I squeezed her more, tucking my face into her neck as she wrapped her arms around me, too.
I’d wasted so much time being afraid of everything—holding a grudge, letting my pride lead me—but there was nothing to lose in going for it. This was it. We had one shot. They were destroying each other like Will and I did, but the worst of it was she might not have another chance with Aydin.
I got lucky.
We held each other for another minute, and then she sniffled and pulled back, wiping her tears.
“Shit,” she whispered, looking up and down my body. “He’s going to be hard in three seconds when he sees you in this, you know?”
I laughed, immediately seeing Will in my head getting a look at me dressed all hot for the first time ever. I might sit far away from him at this wedding and really let him suffer.
I turned and took in the fit as I envisioned my hair down with some curls. I felt beautiful.
“You and Will have been close,” I told her. “Best friends.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Em.”
“I know.” That wasn’t what I was implying. “I trust you.”
I met her eyes in the mirror as she fluffed the gown and checked the waist.
“I have to ask you to do something for me,” I said.
She nodded. “I’m on it. What is it?”
I opened my mouth to tell her, but then I heard someone call me from outside of the dressing room. “Emory, are you okay?”
“Uh…” I looked to Alex and back toward the drapes, realizing we didn’t have time for this right now. “We’ll talk later,” I told Alex and then shouted, “Yeah, coming.”
We stepped out of the dressing room, Erika still on the riser, and I gazed at Banks and Winter, both standing in their beautiful dresses fit for the Oscars.
Rika smiled at me. “It fits you perfectly.”
“I’ll take up the hem a little, I think,” the tailor, with the brown bun on top of her head and a black blouse buttoned up to her neck, said.
“Do you have time?” Rika asked.
“I’ll get it done.”
Rika nodded at her, and I stepped closer, spinning around in front of the mirrors.
“Is this for the wedding?” I asked her.
“If you like it.”
I definitely like it.
I beamed at her. “I love it.”
Her excited eyes darted from me to Winter. “Does it feel good, Winter? Not too tight?”
The other girl, her almost white blonde hair falling over one shoulder in beautiful waves grazed her fingers over the white feather gown, looking like a swan. “I love how it feels,” she said, her voice wispy. “I almost don’t want to wear it. He won’t have patience for the buttons, and it’ll end up in shreds on our bedroom floor.”
Banks laughed, and I snorted. How does someone so soft and gentle fall in love with Damon Torrance, for crying out loud.
But…I guess after seeing him completely under her spell in the train kitchen, she was exactly his type.
Rika looked to Banks and Banks shrugged a little, apprehensive to admit that she liked her black gown with the off-the-shoulder straps and a bodice that made her breasts damn near bulge out of the top. She looked regal, though.
“It’s perfect. You did perfect,” she told Rika. “It’s totally me.”
“Good.” Rika nodded, looking around at all of us with a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Because I have an idea.”
