The Proposition (The Proposition #1)(13)
A slow, emotional burn radiated through her chest, and for a moment, she was so overcome she couldn’t speak. When she finally did, her voice was strained with emotion. “That’s the dress I wore to mine and Travis’s engagement party.”
Casey’s beaming expression momentarily faltered, but then she quickly plastered back on a smile. “You should totally wear it again. That was a happy night, and tonight is a happy one because it starts a new chapter of your life, the one where you become a mom.”
Emma stared at the dress for a moment. A crystal clear image cut through her mind of her mother, clutching her heart, and smiling broadly. Her mother’s voice echoed through her mind the same as it had that day in the store. Oh Em, honey, that dress is to die for! You’ll take Travis’s breath away. She closed her eyes, trying both to savor the memory and keep her emotions in check. When she was sure she wouldn’t cry, she opened her eyes and smiled at Casey. “You’re right. It needs some more wear and some more memories with it.”
“That’s the spirit!” Wrapping her arms around Emma, Casey squeezed her tight. “Damn, I’m proud to call you my best friend. You’re so strong and resilient with all you’ve been through, and then deciding to have a baby on your own like this. You’re my own little Steel Magnolia!”
Emma grinned. “Who knew it would take casual sex to get you so sentimental.”
“I’m just so happy for you, and that I’ll get to be an auntie.”
“Godmother, remember?”
Casey wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know if I want all the moral and ethical responsibility that comes with being a godmother. I’m more the naughty aunt who sneaks them into R rated movies and buys them booze when they’re underage.”
Emma giggled. “We’re going to have to work on that mentality, especially before you become a mom!”
“Bite your tongue on that one, missy. We’ve got to get Nate through his internship before we even think of kids.”
Emma went back to working on her make-up while Casey started in on her hair.
“What do you think? A lose knot?”
“No, Aidan likes my hair down and wavy,” Emma replied as she applied some eye-shadow.”
“Ah, there’s my girl thinking of what Aidan wants. You’ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand in no time!”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Why do I feel like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind all the sudden when she bemoans why women have to act so silly to catch a husband?”
“Well, technically you’re not doing all this for a husband—you just want Aidan to spring an erection…or two.”
Emma’s body shook with laughter, sending her eyeliner arching up her temple. “Case, dammit, look what you made me do!” she said when she finally caught her breath.
“Me? I didn’t do anything but state facts.”
After cleaning off her smudged eyeliner, Emma flicked her wrist over and glanced at her watch. “Shit! We have to get a move on, or I’m going to be late!
***
Emma stared down at her phone for the millionth time. “Shit, shit, shit!” She was now fifteen minutes late, and her original text to Aidan had gone unanswered. She feared he was going to get pissed off and just leave. After all, he didn’t have to wait for women—they were usually willing and able at his slightest command. Her phone buzzed as her car eased up to the valet stand. Fumbling inside her purse, she dug it out.
One glance down at the message and her heart stilled and then restarted. “You sure as hell better get here. Fast. Not settling for a cold shower tonight.”
“Ma’am?” the valet asked.
With her thoughts consumed by Aidan, she didn’t even realize her car door had opened and a young man now stared expectantly at her.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Emma took the ticket from him and hurried into the hotel. Her gaze swept over the mass of strange faces in the lobby. When she didn’t see Aidan, she craned her neck, searching through the crowded room.
Finally, her eyes met his, and she gave a tentative smile. He strode determinedly towards her. At his frustrated expression, she held up her hands. “Oh, Aidan, I’m so, so sorry I’m late. Traffic was a nightmare and –”
He silenced her once again by crushing his lips to hers. He kept this kiss a lot more chaste than the night in the parking deck since they were in the middle of the teeming hotel lobby. When he pulled away, Emma smacked his arm.
“You’ve really got to stop doing that!” she protested.
“Kissing you?”
“No, interrupting me.”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help myself. You’re like a f**king vision tonight.”
She widened her eyes and then smiled. “Okay then, you’re forgiven.”
Aidan grinned. “Glad to hear it. Are you hungry?”
“A little,” she lied. The very thought of eating made her want to throw up. Her nerves were still too out of control.
“Come on.” He rested his palm against the small of her back and guided her towards the hotel restaurant. A waiter outfitted in a tux sat them at a table with a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the city. He took their drink orders and then left.
When she reached for the menu, her fingers grazed Aidan’s. He glanced up and gave her his signature drop dead sexy smile. A mixture of burning longing coupled with crippling anxiety pulsed through her, and she shifted her gaze back to the menu. Breathe, Em. You can do this.