Page 144 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Does this mean she wants her parental rights back?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No. The documents were signed and finalized. She can never have those back.”

Emerson’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.”

I nodded. I couldn’t agree more.

“I want to talk to you about something,” I said, getting to the point of my meeting with Pierce.

“That sounds ominous. And if it’s about signing a prenup, I already told you I’m fine with it.”

“I know,” I said. “And I appreciate that. But that’s not what this is about.”

“Okay.” She furrowed her brow. “What is it about, then?”

“I wanted to ask if you’d consider adopting Brooklyn.”

Her eyes widened, and then they filled with tears. “Oh my god. You’re serious?”

I nodded, smiling. “Yes, Em. It’s what I want. And I know it’s what Brooklyn wants too.”

“Yes,” she said. “Of course I want to adopt her. I’m—” She was so choked up, she could barely speak. “I’m so incredibly honored.”

I held her to me, filled with love for this amazing woman. I couldn’t wait to make her my wife. And Brooklyn was going to be overjoyed.

“So you see…” I rubbed Emerson’s back. “The sooner we get married, the sooner we can make that happen.”

Not that we had to be married for her to adopt Brooklyn. As Pierce had told me, California had allowed adoptions in situations like ours. But Iwantedto marry Emerson. I wanted it to be official. And I wanted her to be my wife.

The alarm chimed, alerting us that someone had pulled through the gate. Emerson straightened, and I wiped away her tears. “That will be Juliana.”

She nodded, seeming lighter somehow. Emerson offered to get the door while I returned Marie Antoinette’s necklace to its rightful place in the vault.

“Juliana, hey.” I greeted her before taking the chair next to Emerson.

Andre delivered a charcuterie platter and sparkling water, and I thanked him.

Juliana pulled out her tablet and started tapping on the screen. “Why don’t we work on finalizing the guest list?”

“Sure,” Emerson said. “My dad had a few more people he wanted to add.”

“Just remember that the venue caps us at three hundred guests before we have to change the location for the vows.”

“I’m sure the owner can help us out,” I joked because Graham was the owner.

“Unfortunately, it’s a fire code situation. So, I’m not sure even the formidable Graham Mackenzie can do something about it.”

If Graham could convince Trinity to give back the Marie Antoinette necklace, I had faith that he could do anything. But I didn’t tell Juliana that. I was still too shocked to fully comprehend the fact that it was mine once more.

I draped my arm over the back of Emerson’s chair. Juliana continued talking, detailing the wedding plans. Emerson was quiet, and I wondered what she was thinking. At least until she asked, “What if we changed venues entirely?”

“To accommodate a larger guest list?” Juliana asked.

Emerson shook her head. “Smaller, actually. I know this is a lot to ask, but we’re wondering if we could move the wedding up and change the location.”

I placed my hand on her thigh. “Em, are you sure?”

She turned to me and smiled, cupping my cheek. “Yes.” She kissed me. “You were right. We were letting everything else come first, and nothing is more important to me than our relationship. Our family.”

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