Page 95 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
She sighs, her gaze softening as she looks at me. “You’re way better at this pep talk thing than I am.”
I laugh softly, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, I’m just doing what I can. You’ve got this.”
Hailey cracks a smile, the tension in her face easing just a little. “You’re right. I’ve got this. I just…I need Sam to be okay.”
“He will be. And tomorrow, you’ll be walking down the aisle, and none of this will matter,” I assure her.
“You’re really not worried about Whit?” she asks softly, her voice tentative.
I sigh. “I mean, I’m worried about his safety, but nothing more than that.”
Her eyes light up. “Does that mean Jace and you are official?”
“Jace and I…we’ve got history, but there’s more to it.”
She furrows her brow, confused. “What do you mean? What could be more to it?”
Before I can answer, I spot a member of the lodge staff gesturing toward me, and I take it as an opportunity to escapethe conversation for a moment. “I need to check on something,” I say quickly, standing up. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Hailey gives me a small nod, still looking a little puzzled. It turns out the staff was confused about where to put most of the decorations that we hadn’t used yet. I told them to let that be for now as I had every intention of picking up the pace later. There won’t be enough time tomorrow.
When I return, I notice Hailey isn’t alone. She’s sitting with Chloe who has a smug smile plastered on her face, chatting away with Hailey like she’s some long-lost friend. My blood boils.
“Oh, I was just talking to Hailey about the wedding,” she says sweetly. “I was just telling Hailey that I think it’s such a shame I’m not part of the wedding party. I mean, I’ve known her just as long as you have, right?”
Hailey gives me a weary look, already uncomfortable with the direction the conversation is going. “Chloe, that’s really not possible. We’ve already finalized everything.” She gives her a look as if to mean you weren’t even supposed to be here anyway.
Chloe’s eyes flick to me, her smile tightening. “Well, what do you think, Emily? Shouldn’t I be part of the wedding party?”
I feel my pulse quicken, but I force myself to stay calm. “Hailey’s right. Everything’s set. It’s too late to change things now.”
“But it won’t hurt to have another bridesmaid, right? You did tell me one or two couldn’t make it here. I’m staying in one of their room’s, am I not?”
“Yes, but we’ve already adjusted,” Hailey says, shooting me a panicked look as if she wants me to save her. “Most of Sam’s party couldn’t make it up here either.”
“I don’t want Jace to be lonely.”
My jaw tightens. Of course, it’s all about that.
“Jace isn’t going to be lonely at all. He’s walking down the aisle with Emily.”
My gaze snaps to her. I had no idea.
“Always the matchmaker, Hailey,” Chloe says smiling, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “How perfect.”
There’s a pause. She looks at me, and I see the devilish smile on her face. My stomach twists. She’s up to something.
“Really? Jace. And what would his friends think about that? I noticed how jealous they were the other night with Whit…I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s bloodshed at the wedding and we don’t want that, do we?”
My stomach sinks.
Hailey frowns. “What are you talking about? Emily is with Jace.”
“Emily isn’t just with Jace. She’s been involved with Tanner, Axel, and what’s his name? The quiet one. Yeah, him too.”
“What? Em, what is she talking about?”
I open my mouth, trying to explain, but before I can, Chloe brings out her phone. “I know you won’t believe me so I brought proof.”
