Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2)(7)

"But I want them. The reverse, I think, because it makes them more theirs. I'm going to sit down here a minute."

Emma went with her to the little seating area, put the tissue box where Miranda could reach. "It's going to be beautiful."

"I know. I can see it. I can already see it, and we haven't even started on the arrangements and centerpieces and, oh, everything else. But I can see it. I have to tell you something."

"Sure."

"My sister-my maid of honor? She really pushed for us to book Felfoot. It's been the place in Greenwich, you know, and it is beautiful."

"It's gorgeous, and they always do a fabulous job."

"But Brian and I just fell for this place. The look of it, the feel of it, the way the four of you work together. It felt right for us. Every time I come here, or meet with one of you, I know we were right. We're going to have the most amazing wedding. Sorry," she said, dabbing at her eyes again.

"Don't be." Emma took a tissue for herself. "I'm flattered, and nothing makes me happier than to have a bride sit here and cry happy tears. How about a glass of champagne to smooth things out before we start on the boutonnieres?"

"Seriously? Emmaline, if I wasn't madly in love with Brian, I'd ask you to marry me."

With a laugh, Emma rose. "I'll be right back."





LATER, EMMA SAW OFF HER EXCITED BRIDE AND, COMFORTABLY tired, settled down with a short pot of coffee in her office. Miranda was right, she thought as she keyed in all the details. She was going to have the most amazing wedding. An abundance of flowers, a contemporary look with romantic touches. Candles and the sheen and shimmer of ribbons and gauze. Pinks and whites with pops of bold blues and greens for contrast and interest. Sleek silver and clear glass for accents. Long lines, and the whimsy of fairy lights.

As she drafted out the itemized contract, she congratulated herself on a very productive day. And since she'd spend most of the next working on the arrangements for their midweek evening event, she considered making it an early night.

She'd resist going over and seeing what Mrs. G had for dinner, make herself a salad, maybe some pasta. Curl up with a movie or her stack of magazines, call her mother. She could get everything done, have a relaxing evening, and be in bed by eleven.

As she proofed the contract, her phone let out the quick two rings that signaled her personal line. She glanced at the readout, smiled.

"Hi, Sam."

"Hello, Beautiful. What are you doing home when you should be out with me?"

"I'm working."

"It's after six. Pack it in, honey. Adam and Vicki are having a party. We can go grab some dinner first. I'll pick you up in an hour."

"Whoa, wait. I told Vicki tonight just wasn't good for me. I was booked solid today, and still have about another hour before-"

"You've got to eat, right? And if you've been working all day you deserve to play. Come play with me."



       
         
       
        

"That's sweet, but-"

"Don't make me go to the party by myself. We'll swing by, have a drink, a couple laughs, leave whenever you want. Don't break my heart, Emma."

She cast her eyes up to the ceiling and saw her early night go up in smoke. "I can't make dinner, but I could meet you there around eight."

"I can pick you up at eight."

Then angle to come in when you bring me home, she thought. And that's not happening. "I'll meet you. That way if I need to go and you're having fun, you can stay."

"If that's the best I can get, I'll take it. I'll see you there."





CHAPTER TWO

SHE LIKED PARTIES, EMMA REMINDED HERSELF. SHE LIKED people and conversation. She enjoyed picking the right outfit, doing her makeup, fussing with her hair.

She was a girl.

She liked Adam and Vicki-and had, in fact, introduced them four years ago when it had become clear she and Adam made better friends than lovers.

Vows had done their wedding.

She liked Sam, she thought with a sigh as she pulled up in front of the contemporary two-story, then flipped down her visor mirror to check her makeup.

She enjoyed going out with Sam-to dinner, to a party, to a concert. The problem was the spark-o-meter. When she'd met him, he'd hit a solid seven, with upward potential. In addition, she'd found him smart and funny, appreciated his smooth good looks. But the first-date kiss had dropped to a measly two on the spark-o-meter.

Not his fault, she admitted as she got out of the car. It just wasn't there. She'd given it a shot. A few more kisses-kissing was one of her favorite things. But they'd never risen over the two-and that was being generous.