Page 48 of Good Girl's Bad Lessons

Emma could feel his presence, hints of his manly scent making their way to her. Although she didn’t toss him a glance over her shoulder, she knew he gazed at her. Thankfully, the wedding planner decided to take pictures after the church ceremony. She’d have to deal with Nico a lot, but after tonight she wouldn’t need to see him ever again.

The idea broke sweat on her palms.

“Are you okay?” asked Craig, leaning in.

She nodded violently, desperate to portray a measure of self-control.

I’m a mess. As long as people didn’t notice, she’d be okay. She portrayed the best modern version of a Stepford wife during the ceremony, with a robotic, straight posture, slapping on a smile whenever the other bridesmaids did. A couple of times, the crowd cheered the couple and clapped.

She moved her head slightly to find her sweet mother wiping a little tear from the corner of her eye. Her chest filled with gratitude for a moment—Zaine had found someone to love. Damn it, he deserved it. Monique was the perfect match for him.

And Nico is for me. She snorted at the idea, a bit loudly, for the bridesmaid next to her nudged her elbow, and when she glanced at her, Erin tossed her a warning look.

Emma squared her shoulders and clasped the small floral arrangement in her hand. Keep it together. During the rest of the ceremony, she darted her gaze everywhere but in Nico’s direction. If she gawked at him, she’d lose the little control she had to show.

She sighed with relief when Zaine kissed Monique, and the crowd whistled and applauded. The time to gracefully leave the altar came, and she once again focused on the small bouquet she carried.

“Emma, do you need a ride?” Simon asked, striding up to her as people discussed driving to the reception venue.

Zaine had chosen the church because it’d meant a lot to their mother, since she and their father had gotten married in that church. The reception venue was in a gorgeous hilltop house they’d rented for the event.

Emma glanced at Simon. He gave her a shy smile, unsure maybe. A light tan still stained his nose and cheeks, a result of the wonderful work he’d done with needy children abroad. “Sure.”

She could have gone with the rest of the wedding party as planned—the wedding planner had rented luxurious vehicles to drive them. But she owed it to Simon. Besides an awkward phone call, where she’d declined attending the wedding as his date, they hadn’t really talked. Certainly not in person.

“I haven’t seen much of you, Emma,” he said, after he started the engine.

She secured her safety belt, her hand sliding up and down the belt. “Sorry. I’ve been busy.”

He nodded, eyes on the road.

Her stomach curled. Whoa. A month ago, being with Simon was all she could think about. All she’d needed. Now she glanced at him and didn’t feel anything.

“You know, I understand you need time. I made a huge mistake when I let you go,” he said, and she noticed he clutched the steering wheel.

She looked out the window and considered throwing herself from the moving car. How awkward. She sucked in some air and faced him again. No running, Emma. “You were right, Simon, to break up with me because we didn’t have strong sexual chemistry.”

Simon shook his head. “No. I should have insisted on working things out with you. Time apart made me realize I’m at fault, too.”

Crap. If he had been a complete asshole, this’d be so much easier.

She rested her hands on her lap, threading her fingers together. “I met someone,” she blurted out.

She peered at him, ready for whatever might come her way. A ball of apprehension formed in her throat, rolling down her body until it turned into an acidy sensation in her core. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I actually went to him for help to get you back, but somehow I fell for him.”

Simon shuddered, color disappearing from his face. “Wow. I had no idea.”

Emma tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, nervous. “I…”

He opened his mouth, then hesitated and focused on driving.

She shifted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs. Should she apologize again? She didn’t mean to hurt Simon, but she wasn’t sorry for having been with Nico. When they entered the lavish place, he ignored the valet service at the front and parked the car.

He turned off the engine and stared at her. A flicker of pain hit his baby blues, and she clamped her lips. She removed her seat belt, but didn’t move or reach for the door. If he had something else to say, he had to take the first step.

He touched her face. “I’m sorry. I love you, Emma. You’re amazing, and if I had done a good job I wouldn’t have lost you.”

She bit back a smile. “Thanks, Simon. We’re probably better off as friends, but I appreciate you.”

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