Fool for You (Southern Bride 7)

I attempted to make small talk in the limo as we made the hour-and-a-half drive to Austin. “How were the plate sales for tonight?” I asked.

She turned from where she had been staring out the window and flashed me a smile so bright it could have lit up the inside of the limo. “The most sales they’ve ever had. Considering they had to add six tables to the outside terrace of the country club, I would say my little slip of the tongue worked in the hospital’s favor.”

I laughed. “It’s crazy we have the limo all to ourselves. I mean, usually we’d all be crammed in here.” Hailey and Mike were driving separately, and both our parents were already in Austin.

She laughed. “It’s weird that Noah isn’t coming. I’m starting to wonder if Amy really does have the flu.”

“Right? So, what do we do with all this alone time?”

Once the words were out of my mouth, Emmerson shot me a look, and I wished I could take them back. Her expression was sharp, but something about it made my skin suddenly blaze with heat.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked, a hint of seduction in her voice I’d never heard her use before. At least, not with me.

Swallowing hard, it was my turn to look away and stare out the window. “Remember all the games the four of us would play when we were in a limo?”

She let out a long sigh. “It used to be so fun to ride in these. Now it feels weird.”

Focusing back on her, I said, “We could have taken my truck, you know.”

Emmerson nodded. “I know, but Janet wanted those of us on the committee to arrive in limos. Thanks for being my…”

“Date?” I asked with my brows raised. “It’s not the first time.”

Her eyes searched my face, and I swore she felt that fucking crackle of electricity floating between us in the limo just as much as I did. I wasn’t imagining it.

“I can always count on you, Landon.”

I winked. “You know it.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s what best friends do for each other, right? Be there for one another.”

I pulled my brows in slightly. I wasn’t sure where she was going with this. “Yes. Always.”

With a nod, she looked back out the window. Something was off with her tonight, for sure.

“So, that wedding you planned for that actress. I heard some people talking about it in Mimi’s Café. Word is you’re famous now.”

She huffed. “My Instagram has blown up. I’ve had so many people reaching out in the last hour for sponsored ads or to partner up, it’s unreal. I had to turn off my notifications.”

“That’s a good thing, though, right? Good for your business, I mean.”

“It is,” she said with a halfhearted shrug. “But I’ve never really considered myself an influencer, and I’ve never had the desire to be one. I posted a picture of me dressed for this evening, and everyone is asking me who designed the dress, what brand of shoes I’m wearing. It’s crazy. But at the same time, it’s also kind of fun.”

“I don’t think it’s crazy. If they’re interested and it can grow your business or make you some extra money with sponsored ads or links, then do it, Emme.”

Her eyes met mine. “You think so? I mean, I want it to stay personal, though. I do share some of my private life on there, as you know. Us, movie night. Things like that. But now that I’m getting more followers, maybe I shouldn’t post about you as much.”

I took her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. “Let me ask you something: have you gotten more interest in Serendipity Wedding Planning?”

A sweet smile appeared on her beautiful face as she nodded. “I have, as a matter of fact. More than usual. I’m booked solid for four months out with just consultations.”

“See!” I said, giving her hand another squeeze. “There you go! And don’t worry about posting stuff about me. I’m part of your life, right?”

She dug her teeth into her bottom lip, and I couldn’t stop my gaze from lingering on her mouth.

“You’re right. I was so excited earlier, and then I guess I got a little scared at the reality of it. I’ve just been off the last few weeks.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

Our eyes locked. “Yes. Everything is amazing. Thank you so much for doing this. I owe you big time.”

“What are friends for, right?”

Her smile faltered for only a moment before she replied, “Right.”

“Mr. Lewis, we’re here,” the driver’s voice said through the speakers.

Sighing deeply, Emmerson shifted nervously in her seat. “I hope they decorated the tables in the right way. Maybe I should have come down and stayed last night.”

I took her hand as the limo door opened. “Stop worrying so much. It’s going to be perfect because you had a hand in it.”