Page 64 of Breaking Emily's Rules
“I couldn’t agree more.” I cast a significant look in his direction.
Nika seemed to ignore that comment and dabbed at her eyes. “Baby first is not traditional Russian Orthodox.”
Neither, I assumed, was the kitchen floor, but that hadn’t stopped her.
“It means a lot you forgive. I don’t have right, but you come to my wedding?” Nika asked.
Uh-oh. Brain freeze. Speechless. Words would be nice right now. Ones that could convey shock and disgust. Oh, and outrage. That was a good one. But no, wait. She had to be kidding.
Say something.“Um, what?”
“Please.” Nika’s brown eyes pinched, as if they would start fake leaking again.
“But—I—”
It was true Nika didn’t have any US friends. Women didn’t trust her. Except for me, and look how well that had worked out. No. No way could I do this. Nika didn’t deserve my forgiveness. Going to the wedding was never going to happen.
The waiter appeared again at my elbow with another glass of wine. “From the gentleman at the bar. He wants to know if you’ll accept this drink from him.”
“Thanks.” I tried a smile in the direction of the man who, for the love of God, looked to be about my father’s age.
“You certainly are popular tonight,” Greg said.
“Some people like me, Greg. Because I’m nice. And loyal.” And now I was beginning to sound like a dog.
Greg’s mouth turned up in a smug smile. “I honestly thought this might be too difficult for you, and I warned Nika.”
Too difficult?
I opened my mouth just as my phone buzzed. Rachel.
How’s it going? Remember, you are Emily Parker, wild woman!
Yes, I was, so why was I having such trouble telling these two off?
“Oh boy.” I stared at my phone.
“What is it?” Nika said.
“A work emergency. Sorry, I have to go.”
“Seriously? What kind of emergency could an event planner have?” Greg said.
He had never respected my work. As far as he’d been concerned, I just booked events and everything else magically happened.
“There’s a run on doves, if you must know! And if I don’t get mine tonight it might be too late.” I stood, ignoring Greg’s confused look.
“I’ll call you!” Nika said as I walked away.
If either Molly or Rachel could see me now, they’d probably give me thirty lashings for sheer stupidity. Speaking of doormats. I could have created a scene, splashed water on pregnant Nika and hot coffee in Greg’s lap. And then when Nika cried real tears and not that horrible reality TV–level acting, well, I would just harden my heart and walk out the door with my head held high.
Unfortunately, my little black dress wasn’t made for driving in a truck, and I felt the cool breeze of night air hit my ass as I climbed in, pulling down on the hem of my dress to preserve my dignity. I stuck my key in the ignition and then hit the steering wheel with my fist so hard my horn went off. A man a few cars away jumped and when his eyes fixated on me, he gave me a dirty look.
I honked again then rolled down my window as he passed nearby. “That’s right. I honked my horn. Do you want to do something about it?”
The man quirked an eyebrow at me before he hurried into the restaurant.
That felt kind of nice. Powerful. And a little stupid. But maybe insanely stupid was what I needed tonight because I was certainly dressed for it. Rachel was right in that I needed to loosen up a little bit. Let go a teensy bit. I started up the truck and headed toward the Silver Saddle.
