The Proposal (The Proposition #2)(58)

“Of course I will.” When he leaned over to kiss her, his mouth tasted of mint.

“Thanks,” she murmured against his lips.

“I love you,” Aidan said as he pulled away.

“I love you more,” she argued with a grin.

***

After a luxurious morning at the spa having facials and massages, the entire bridal party’s hair and makeup were done. Emma couldn’t help giggling at how comical Casey looked in a tracksuit coupled with her full make-up and intricate veil and sparkling tiara.

Casey stared down at herself. “What? You don’t think there’s something wrong with this look, do you? I bet I could walk in Wal-Mart like this, and no one would say anything.”

Emma grabbed her purse. “Hmm, high praise indeed from the Wal-Mart shoppers.”

Casey laughed. “Come on. We gotta haul ass to the church.”

Rolling her eyes, Emma said, “Only you would say ass and church in the same sentence.”

“You know you love my potty mouth.”

“I love everything about you, bestie.”

Casey held up her hand. “No more emotional landmine comments like that, Em. I can’t risk my make-up.”

Emma laughed. “Fine. I’ll be a total hard ass the rest of the morning. Happy?”

“Thrilled. Now come on.”

Emma and Casey, along with the rest of the bridal party, headed to Christ the King Cathedral. It had been Nate’s church since childhood, and Emma thought it made a beautiful venue for a wedding.

Once locked into a preparation room, they got busy getting Casey into her mammoth dress. Emma stood back, gazing at Casey. Her earlier promise was forgotten when tears filled her eyes. “You look amazing!”

Casey pointed a finger. “Em, you promised!”

“I can’t help it. It’s the hormones making me even more emotionally crazy!”

“Ugh, you seriously have to quit the waterworks or you’ll have me crying, and this waterproof stuff only works so much.”

“Fine, I’ll go put on my dress.”

“Good. And while you’re at it, think of disgusting things, people who piss you off—anything not to be crying.”

Emma swept a hand to her hip. “Don’t you think people will wonder why you’re very pregnant bridesmaid has such a ‘screw you’ look on her face?”

Casey laughed. “As long as you’re not crying, we’re good.”

“You’re impossible,” Emma grumbled as she slipped into the dressing room. The maroon dress hung in its bag on the hook where Aidan had delivered it. She slipped into it, and then after trying to wrestle with the zipper, she headed back into the main room for help. Carlee, Casey’s sixteen year old sister, happily obliged.

Emma eyed her reflection in the mirror as a knock came at the door. “It’s Aidan,” a voice called. Carlee giggled as she ran to open the door.

When Aidan stepped inside, his gaze flickered over the room for her. The moment he saw her, he beamed. “You look beautiful!”

Emma grinned. “Thank you.” Staring down at her dress, she shook her head. “Frankly, I feel like an Oompa Loompa at the moment!”

“Trust me, babe, you don’t look like one.” When she gave him a skeptical look, Aidan winked at her. “Then I must have a Willy Wonka fetish because I’d like to devour you right this instant.”

Emma smacked his arm playfully as Casey asked, “And what about me? No compliments for the bride?”

Without missing a beat, Aidan said, “You’re an exquisite vision of perfection in white who will take Nate’s breath away the moment he sees you.”

Casey grinned. “Smooth Big Papa, very smooth.”

He leaned in and pecked her check. “It’s the truth.”

“I’ll take it then,” she replied.

“I’m so glad to get to be a part of your happy day.”

“So am I,” Casey replied, with a wink.

Emma’s mouth gaped at their exchange, especially when Casey kissed Aidan’s cheek as well. What happened to her hating him? Was the very fact he had been willing to stand in and save the day enough to make Casey forgive Aidan for all he had done wrong?

“Did you need something?” she asked.

“I just wanted to check on you, see how you’re feeling, but most of all, I wanted to bask in your rapturous beauty.”

“OMG, that’s so sweet!” Carlee exclaimed while one of the other bridesmaids bobbed her head.

Aidan’s lips curled into a cocky grin at their appreciation of his sentiments while

Emma rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

He laughed. “Actually, it’s time to take the bridal party photographs.”

“I thought as much.”

Aidan placed his hand on her shoulders, his expression waxing concern. “I may have been joking, but I did want to check on you.”

Her heart warmed at the seriousness his tone had taken. “I’m fine.”

His lips tightened into a hard line. “Try to stay off your feet as much as you can today.”

“Aidan,” she protested.

“I’m serious.”

“I was cleared to return to work and all normal activity two weeks ago, remember?”