Collide (29 page)

As her nails bit into the palms of her hands, those words sent a shiver from the tips of Emily’s toes straight up to the roots of her hair. Gavin generated a steady tidal wave of emotions from within her that were bigger and far more dangerous than anything she’d ever known. Confusion, hurt, pain, and feeling scared to death of him and herself just skimmed the surface of the storm brewing in her head.

It all ran through her mind in those seconds, but before the whole invasion of torment sank her right there in that room, another entered. This particular torment was swathed in a Valentino pants suit, her silk Hermès scarf swinging with every step she took in her stiletto heels.

“Donna,” Joan said to the bridal consultant, “I can take it from here.”

The middle-aged woman looked to Emily.

“I’m fine, Donna,” Emily smiled.” Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Cooper. Just let me know if you need anything,” she replied and then exited the room.

“Oh, Emily, you’re really not considering that A-line, are you?” Joan asked with a sigh. “It’s so bland. Besides, you have a petite hourglass frame fit more for this Elie Saab,” she said, holding up a gown that Emily believed she would lose her lunch all over.

Olivia let out a melodramatic laugh. “Is this a joke? I wouldn’t allow her to be caught dead in that thing—let alone walk down the aisle if it’s with your son or not. She’ll look like a damn cockatoo.”

Turning around, Joan sent her a venomous glare. “You’ve never been one to hold your tongue very well, have you, Olivia?”

Olivia smiled but no hint of humor was evident in her voice. “Shocker.”

“Joan,” Emily said, reaching for the dress. Joan tore her glare from Olivia. “I love Elie Saab, just not this particular style.” Emily hung the mass of feathers back up and reached for a Monique Lhuillier gown she had tried on earlier. “I think this is the one I’m going with. I love the appliqué lacing and the scoop neck. The long sleeves are perfect for a winter wedding, too.”

Joan exhaled a breath. “That’s the one that made your hips look triple their size.”

With widened eyes, Emily’s mouth hung open and then snapped shut.

“Holy shit,” Olivia blurted out, her brows snapping down. “Emily, one, you’re too tiny to have hips that could ever look wide.” She shot Joan a murderous look and then turned back to Emily. “Two, I’m about to drop it like it’s hot.” She started to unclip her earrings and roll up her sleeves.

Joan’s eyes hardened.

“No,” Emily quickly interjected, rushing over to Olivia. “Just take a seat, Liv,” she said, her eyes pleading. Crossing her arms in annoyance, Olivia sank into a chair with a scowl in Joan’s direction. “Alright, I’ll try it on, but don’t you have to leave soon?”

Joan’s eyes flicked down to her watch as she inhaled sharply. “Jesus, I do,” she clipped as she grabbed for her purse. “Okay, so you’ll try on the Elie Saab then. I also showed Donna a trumpet style that would look just fabulous on you. Make sure you have her bring that one in.”

Nodding, Emily plastered a smile on her face.

“Excellent. I’ll call you later then,” Joan said. She set off at a brisk pace toward the door as she and Olivia traded vicious stares.

Olivia shot up from the chair. “You’re seriously not—”

“Trying that horrible thing on?” Emily interrupted with a laugh. Olivia started to laugh right along with her. “Forget about you not allowing me to be caught dead in it. I wouldn’t allow myself to be caught dead in it.”

Emily changed back into her pair of jeans, off-the-shoulder black sweater, and a pair of black Converse sneakers. She plucked her purse from the chair and made her way to the front desk. She notified Donna that the Monique Lhuillier gown was the one she was going with and handed the receptionist Dillon’s credit card to satisfy the down payment. After discussing and scheduling appointments for another few fittings for Emily, they also arranged for the boutique to take care of the Maid of Honor dress fitting for Emily’s sister since she lived out of state. Feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, Emily was more than happy to get out of there.

“I’m starved,” Olivia said as they rocked out of the boutique and into the cool city air. “There’s a funky sushi bar not too far from here that serves up some pretty decent rolls. Wanna check it out?”

“I’m game.”

A few city blocks later, they approached the sushi restaurant. Before entering, Emily stopped and started digging in her purse.

With her hand on the door, Olivia asked, “What are you doing?”

Effectively ignoring her, Emily continued her endeavor.

“Hello, Emily, what are you doing?” Olivia repeated.

“I have a killer headache. I’m looking for a bottle of Advil that I know I have in here,” she replied, her hands working frantically through the mess of credit card receipts, sunglasses, and an overstuffed makeup bag.

With a smile, Emily found it and let out a sigh of relief. She headed toward the entrance and watched as Olivia’s face morphed into noticeable shock.

Emily cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong?” she asked, placing her hand on Olivia’s shoulder.

“Umm, turn around, Em.”

With furrowed brows, she gave Olivia a questioning look and whipped around.

Oh God…

After the air whooshed from her lungs, her eyes took in Gavin’s BMW double-parked in front of the restaurant. Colton was in the driver’s seat shaking his head as Gavin not so gracefully stumbled out from the passenger side.

“I’ll go get us a table,” Olivia said.

“No, wait,” she hastily whispered, instant sweat beading on her forehead even in the crisp air. “Don’t you dare leave me here.”

Olivia narrowed her brown eyes on her but kept her tone even. “You have to talk to him, friend.” Without a backward glance, she opened the door and disappeared into the restaurant.

With her heart racing, Emily tried to compose herself as he approached. “You’re drunk,” she breathed, noticing the way he was swaying side to side.

Tossing his hand through his unruly black hair, a grin tipped the corner of his lips. “And you’re simply exquisite.”

The drowsy cadence of his liquored voice nearly left her in ashes in the middle of Manhattan. Still trying to regain her bearings, she stared at him, her breath hitching in the back of her throat. As disheveled as he looked standing in front of her—his suit jacket off, tie loosened around his neck, and his sleeves rolled up haphazardly—she had never known a man to be as breathtaking in every possible way as he was. Not just physically either—because Lord knows she found him to be the sexiest man on the planet—it was beyond that. His very presence manifested itself into a thrum beneath her skin.

Slow and unsteady, he inched toward her. “You’re exquisite…and engaged now,” he said softly, reaching for her left hand. He lifted it and studied the ring on her finger. Although she wanted to, she didn’t pull away. Essentially frozen by his touch, she couldn’t move. “Mmm, with as much money as I have, I don’t think I would’ve gotten you something so gaudy looking—not for a beautiful hand like this. It deserves much better. I would’ve aimed for something more elegant.”

Streams of pedestrians dodged them on the sidewalk as they stood with her hand in his, but neither of them noticed. The blaring mixture of car horns, laughter, and music from a nearby club thrashed and echoed around them, but still, neither of them heard the noises.

Simply lost in one another in that moment, nothing else existed.

Emily tore her gaze from his, and as quickly as she did, Gavin caught her by her chin and lifted it so she was staring directly into his blue eyes. A soft gasp was the only sound that made its way past her lips.

“After the brief encounter we shared, I never thought Dillon would be the lucky man slipping a ring onto that pretty finger.”

Breathing heavily, Emily swallowed hard and continued to stare at him. His raw, unrelenting, sexy determination hit her with a force strong enough to rock the ground beneath her. “I was drunk,” she whispered, not taking her eyes off his, her voice stammering. “I…I just needed to get you out of my system.”

Still cupping her chin, he slid his thumb slowly across her lips, his tone as low as hers. “Doll, you’re going to get me out of your system as much as I’m going to get you out of mine. It’s impossible.”

Before she could process his words, he bent his head down and grazed his mouth against hers, catching her bottom lip between his teeth and sucking on it gently. She pulled back slightly, but the fight would go down in history as mild at best. Sliding his tongue against her lip, he tightened his hold on her chin just enough that she couldn’t move. Gavin let out a long groan and gave her lip one last mind-blowing tug between his teeth. Emily might have seen it if her eyes weren’t closed, but a reverent smile broke out across his face. He then turned, pivoting gracefully, and walked away, leaving Emily fighting for air. Reaching for the door, she watched breathlessly as Gavin slipped into the passenger side of his car, and before she knew it, he disappeared into traffic.

After the fog of euphoria and the shock pulsing through her system lifted, Emily found herself hazily walking into the restaurant with dampened panties, added confusion, and a heightened need for quite a few shots of sake.

Chapter Thirteen

Confessions of Every Kind

Emily convinced herself that she was mentally prepared for this evening; however, she couldn’t have been more wrong. As she and Dillon greeted their guests the night of their engagement party, she found her head becoming dizzy with literal fear. Looking down at her watch, a frantic string of emotions raced through her mind, knowing she would soon face Gavin. The heavy weight of it all had her feeling as though her nerves were beginning to fray like a rope one fiber at a time. Her spinning thoughts slowed when she felt Dillon’s gentle touch brush against her arm. For tonight, she needed to focus on him—and him only—no matter how difficult she knew it would be.

“Are you alright?” he asked, scooping her up into a hug. He planted a kiss on her lips and moved her hair away from her shoulders.

“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered, sliding her hands down the lapels of his black suit.

“Well, you look beautiful tonight,” he crooned. “I just may have
you
for dessert when this whole thing’s over.”

“I heard that, Dillon,” Lisa’s voice broke through the air, one brow cocked above her hazel eyes. “Please refrain from referring to my baby sister as dessert,” she laughed.

Dillon smirked and pulled Emily in closer. “But she’s so…delectable, Lisa. I mean, honestly, I can’t get enough.”

Emily shook her head and laughed.

“Okay, I seriously don’t need to hear how delectable she is.” She gave Emily a light tug on her arm, effectively releasing her from his hold. “I’d like to speak to my sister in private for a second, if that’s okay with you.”

“She’s all yours,” he replied, branding one last kiss on Emily’s lips.

Reaching for her hand, Lisa led her through the knot of guests that started to trickle into the banquet room. Emily smiled and returned their greetings along the way.

As the two sisters made their way through the party, it was then that Emily noticed Dillon spared no expense for the night. The restaurant was truly beautiful. A mahogany bar was located in the corner of the room set beside a massive window that overlooked New York Harbor. Deep-red leather couches and matching upholstered wingback chairs were scattered throughout. Ornate sconces hung on the walls while an exquisite dimly lit chandelier anchored the room. Adjacent to a baby grand piano echoing music through the air was a glowing fireplace that crackled its warmth in the space, setting the romantic mood for the evening.

After turning a corner that led to an empty hall, they ducked into a vacant room, and Lisa closed the door.

Placing her hands on Emily’s shoulders, Lisa’s eyes softened with genuine concern. “I can tell you’re a nervous wreck.”

She slanted a hand through her hair, the weakest of smiles tipping her lips. “Is it that obvious?”

“Not to others, but I know you better than anyone else,” she said softly, reaching for Emily’s hand. “Is he here yet?”

“No. Believe me, when he’s here, you’ll know it,” she replied with a nervous laugh. Biting her lip, she paused for a moment, her features smoothing, voice low. “I wish Mom was here, Lisa.”

“Oh, sweetie, I do, too,” she whispered, leaning in for a hug. Emily squeezed her tight, her warmth reminding her of the very woman they were still mourning. The grief swelled in Emily’s chest like a fresh bruise. “But, even if she was here, Emily, she’d tell you to go with what your heart wants. She couldn’t make your decision any easier. I just need to know—just like mom would—that this is what you want.”

With the slightest hesitation, she answered, “Yes, I do want this.”

“Okay then, let’s go enjoy your party.” Lisa grabbed for Emily’s hand and started heading back into the main dining room.

Upon emerging, the amount of guests had doubled in size—the majority consisting of family, coworkers, and friends of Dillon. Sure, Emily had met a few of them over the last year, but most were a distant blur of Dillon’s aunts, uncles, and cousins that she had encountered briefly at family gatherings. Essentially, the amount of people Emily knew in attendance could fit at one table.