Page 47 of Bride Games

Paige shook her head so hard the back of an earring fell off. “I’m not. I haven’t forgotten those dreadful photos I saw on his computer of that—that anonymous woman. How could I ever trust him again?”

“Exactly.” Emma scooted her chair forward and lowered her voice. “Everything okay with Zach, I hope?” She knew they couldn’t broadcast their relationship since they both worked at ATV 10.

“Oh, yeah. It’s just fab. Zach went to a splashy party at Marie Fallon’s house recently. She had a fully catered gathering, an open bar, band, swimming pool, NFL players, and God knows what else.”

“Why didn’t you go?” Emma wrinkled her nose as she pushed her menu aside. “I remember seeing Marie Fallon on television. She tries too hard, and she’s?—”

“Drop-dead gorgeous, I know.” Paige rolled her eyes.

“Stop it.You’redrop-dead gorgeous.” Emma’s stomach growled so loud that Paige clearly heard it. “You’re a wonderful friend. Let’s order.”

After they ate salmon cakes with lemon dill sauce and roasted asparagus, Paige waited until she swallowed before saying, “Enough about me. What’s going on with you?”

“I’m doing some promotional work for authors, but basically, we’re in full-on wedding planning mode. My business is mostly on hiatus.” Emma shrugged. “But thanks to the school’s involvement, I honestly have far less to do than most brides.” Emma beamed. “Eli and I can’t wait to get married. Lucy, too, for that matter.”

You’ve got yourself a great guy, Em. I’m happy for you. No one deserves this more than you.” Clearing her throat, Paige swallowed past a lump of unhappiness.

Emma wiped her mouth with a coral napkin. “You’ll find it too, Paige. If it’s not Zach, then it’ll be someone else. I really like him, though.”

“So do I.” Paige lowered her voice when customers hovered near their table, obviously recognizing the TV star and ready to hear some gossip. “Zach really is a great guy, but it’shard when we can’t be seen much in public—not as a couple anyway, especially with my stupid job situation, which I hope is temporary.Verytemporary.” Sighing, Paige added, “If it’s meant to be, it’ll work out.”

“I have an idea.” Emma glanced over her shoulder to ensure no one was listening. “A good one.”

Finally grinning, Paige said, “I’m all ears.”

Leaning forward, Emma said, “Why don’t you go incognito to a football game. A game that Zach and Marie are both covering.”

Paige’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean spy on my occasional-but-mostly-nonexistent boyfriend?” Grinning, she added, “I like the way you think.”

43

Emma

“Lucy, hurry or you’ll be late for school.”

Chewing on a half-eaten slice of cinnamon bread, Lucy said “I know, Mommy. Our class is going to work on your wed—” Lucy gasped as she placed her hand over her mouth. “It’s a sec-wet.”

Emma smiled to herself as she instructed Lucy to wash her hands and get her backpack. “I’ll be in the car.” As she made the short drive to Appledale Elementary, Emma’s stomach did flipflops.Have we remembered everything? Did we forget to invite anyone? Are we making a mistake leaving the wedding décor in the hands of elementary school students?Emma chuckled at the last thought.

“What’s so funny, Mommy?”

“Nothing, hon.” She leaned over and kissed Lucy’s pink cheek. “Have a good day, sweetie. I’ll see you after school.” Lucy climbed out and raced inside. When she got to the school door, she waved wildly before going inside.

Emma tooted her horn, pulled behind a long line of parents’ cars, and grinned as she drove away.We definitely made the right decision to leave the decorations in the students and teachers’ hands. Even if they don’t go together or match ourcolor scheme exactly, it’ll be perfect. Beyond perfect. After all, this is where Eli and I met all because of Lucy. Appledale has everything to do with us as a couple and a family.

Driving home, Emma wondered what the kids and teachers had in store. She was as excited—and nervous—as a kid on Christmas Eve. As she pulled into her driveway, her phone rang.

“Hey, friend. Just checking on you to see how you’re doing as we close in on the countdown to your forever happiness.”

“Good morning, Paige. It’s sweet of you to ask, but I’m still a jittery mess. Same as last night, but thanks.”

“Okay, meet me for coffee in fifteen minutes. I need to get away from the station. I never realized how much administrative crap had to be done. These meetings with accounting, human resources, and legal are beyond tedious. I’d much rather be on the air.”

“I’m sure you would, but I kind of like it for selfish reasons. Ordinarily, I never get to see you this often.” Emma put her car in reverse. “Be there in a bit.”

Emma settled in a corner booth where she and Paige could have privacy. She knew Paige preferred to face the wall so she wasn’t bothered by fans wanting to chat or take selfies. Besides, this way, she could see her friend when she walked inside. The aroma of coffee wafted around her like a comforting hug. Emma wanted to get up and order a cup but didn’t want to lose the coveted table.

Paige rushed inside and promptly took a seat. She fished out her wallet. “This is on me. Do you mind ordering? I’ll just take a black coffee today.”

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