Page 102 of Blitzing Emily

“But you never—”

His drawl passed warm honey and went straight to sultry nights and tangled sheets. “I told you. Let me know where and when, and I’ll be there. You’ll know me. I’ll be the one in the tux.”

“But—but—but—”

“Let our mamas plan whatever they want. It’s less of a headache for both of us. There’s going to be a wedding, sugar.” He twirled her away from the shower door, reached in, flipped the water back on, and patted her on the butt. His voice dropped. “Imagine how lonely you’ll be in the shower without me.”

He grabbed a bath sheet and strode out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. She resisted the impulse to run after him.

BRANDON SHOWERED ANDdressed in the downstairs bathroom. He loved his parents, but right now, he’d really enjoy some privacy to spend more time in bed with his little diva. Instead he was doomed to a day in the company of two determined females. His mama was planning a wedding, come hell or high water, and his fiancée was trying to get him to say those three little words before she did.

He knew he hadn’t actually proposed to her. He’d suggested. It wasn’t the same thing. He hadn’t gotten down on one knee in front of her, either. She deserved it. She was the only woman he could imagine marrying. His feelings for her weren’t just infatuation or lust. Lust was always good, but it wasn’t the real thing.

He shook his curls dry, brushed his teeth, and stepped into a pair of shoes. They’d make some plans, and he’d propose ... for real. He’d have to think of something amazing, though. He was sure this was the only time in his life he’d ask.

AFULLY DRESSEDEmily walked into the controlled chaos that was Brandon’s kitchen. Suzanne and Emily’s mom were performing the complicated dance of assembling breakfast for seven people. Her dad and an older version of Brandon with graying, closely cropped curls sat at the small kitchen table, drinking coffee. Amy whizzed by with a load of plates, silverware and napkins destined for the dining room table.

“Nice to see you could join us,” her sister said, but she grinned. Emily kissed her mom’s cheek as Meg hurried past.

Brandon’s dad unfolded himself from the chair and held out his arms. “I’m Jack,” he said, beaming, “and you must be Emily.”

Emily heard Brandon’s voice from the other room. “Dad. She’s mine.”

“He gets all the pretty girls,” Jack confided as he wrapped his arms around her. “You’ll sit with me at dinner later, won’t you?”

“Don’t you want to sit with Mrs. McKenna?” Emily teased.

“I’ve been sitting with her for a few years now, and I’ll be sitting with her for as long as she’ll have me,” Jack said. He had the same roguish manner as his son. Emily lost her heart on the spot. “She won’t mind. She’ll be too busy with our boy.”

“I heard that,” Suzanne said with a smile. “We’re taking Emily with us before you scare her half to death, Casanova.”

Jack released Emily and extended his hand to Mark. “You’re a lucky man, Hamilton. Two lovely daughters and a beautiful wife. Life doesn’t get any better, does it?”

Emily’s mom smiled and blushed as Mark said, “No, it doesn’t.” She couldn’t help but notice that neither parent corrected Jack’s belief that they were still married.

EMILY TOOK ONElast swallow of coffee as her mother said, “Ladies, we’d better get moving, or we’re going to be late. Our appointment is at ten.”

“What appointment?” Emily said.

“You need a wedding gown, silly. Suzanne and I thought this would be a great day to shop. We’re all together.”

“Oh, yes.” Suzanne got up from the table, too. “Let’s get Emily in the car. Her gown should have been ordered three months ago, and it’s already nine-thirty.”

“I’ll drive,” Amy said.

“We still have six months,” Emily said. “We’ll be fine. There are women on those bridal shows that buy a dress two weeks beforehand, and—”

Emily heard Brandon chuckling under his breath as she was pulled from her chair by her mother and her future mother-in-law.

“Come on, sweetie. You won’t want to wear something you bought two weeks before. Plus, your mama has been looking forward to this your entire life,” Suzanne said. She snagged both her and Emily’s handbags off the hall tree as she went.

A few minutes later, Emily found herself standing on the sidewalk next to Amy’s mini-van. The moms were already ensconced in the back seat. Brandon followed them out to the car.

“You must have called shotgun,” Brandon teased Emily. “Have a great time.”

“I know nothing about wedding stuff,” she whispered to him. “What do I do now?”

“Let them handle it,” he reassured her. “I’ll see you later.” He kissed her, made sure she was belted into the passenger seat, and waved goodbye as Amy burned rubber down the quiet residential street.

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