Page 145 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Em, that’s not what I?—”

She shook her head. “I know that’s not what you meant. But this wedding is turning into something that’s less about us as a couple and more about everyone else.”

I nodded. That was exactly what I’d been trying to say. And exactly what we’d been trying to avoid from the start.

“What are you thinking?” Juliana asked, her tone showing no signs of exasperation despite our big request. She truly was the consummate professional.

“I have a cabin up in Bear Creek.”

Emerson laughed. “He calls it a cabin, but it’s a mansion in the woods.”

Juliana laughed. “Okay. Do you have pictures?”

I pulled out my phone and showed her the ones from the real estate listing when Alexis had found it for me a few years ago.

“Oh yeah,” Juliana said. “I remember this property. Alexis showed it to Harrison and me when we were looking at vacation homes. It was gorgeous, but we decided to keep renting until we find the perfect vacation home.”

She skimmed through the photos. “Okay. Good kitchen—big enough for the caterer. Beautiful deck if the weather’s nice enough to hold the ceremony outside. Or—” She gasped when she came to the image of the living room. “This view is stunning. And then you wouldn’t have to stress about the weather. But if it snows…”

Emerson looked at me and smiled. “We’d look like we were getting married in a snow globe.”

“It’s a great venue, but you’d have to significantly cut your guest list.”

“What if we invited only immediate family?” Emerson said. “Fifteen, maybe twenty, people tops.”

“That would…” Juliana shook her head and stared at the screen again. “That would be a big cut. And the wedding would have a very different feel from what we’ve been planning. But it would be easy enough to execute, and it would definitely be intimate and special.”

“That sounds more like us,” Emerson said, smiling at me. She seemed more relaxed as well. I definitely was. “But what about the deposits and everything?”

I waved away her concern, but Juliana spoke first. “Some of them, we can get part back since it’s still early. And the venue is so popular, they won’t have issues rebooking. The bigger question is what the new timeline looks like.”

“Well…” Emerson glanced at me, and I took her hand in mine. “We were thinking a surprise Christmas wedding.”

Juliana’s eyes lit up. “Yes. That sounds beautiful. And we could continue to let everyone believe you’re having the big spring wedding.”

“Yes,” Emerson said. “Exactly.”

“If that’s what you want,” Juliana said with confidence, “I can make it happen.”

Emerson turned to me, and for the first time in months, she seemed excited about the wedding. “What do you think?”

“It would be beautiful, but it’s up to you, Em.” I lifted her hand to my mouth, placing a kiss on her wrist.

Our eyes met, and when she nodded, I didn’t sense any hesitation. Only joy. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

Four MonthsLater

It was Christmas Eve,and everyone was at our Bear Creek home for the holidays. Declan, James, and Knox were drinking whiskey and talking by the fire. Sloan was admiring the decorations while trying to ignore Jackson. Jasper, Astrid, and Jude were talking about all the skiing they wanted to do while we were here. Brooklyn and Graham were playing chess by the fire with Prince Albert and Queen V at their feet. And Emerson was upstairs getting ready with Kendall—the only person we’d let in on our secret.

Graham passed me to refill his whiskey, and I placed a hand on his arm. “I know what you did. And thank you. I owe you one.”

I still didn’t know exactlyhowhe’d done it, but I was convinced he was behind Trinity’s unexpected decision to return the Marie Antoinette necklace. Blackmail, leverage, whatever it was, it had worked. And I hadn’t heard a peep from Trinity since.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Graham stared ahead, stone-faced. “But you’re welcome. And I’ll be sure to take you up on that favor sometime.”

Of course he would.I smirked, letting him go and joining the group by the fireplace.

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