Fool for You (Southern Bride 7)

“Aw, how cute that you love him so much to bid so high for him,” Lillian said.

“In love?” Jason asked in a disbelieving voice. “Emmerson?”

That made Landon tilt his head. “What does that mean?”

Jason laughed. “Nothing. I just never thought Emmerson had it in her to fall in love.”

“What? She’s a wedding planner! Of course she has it in her. Don’t you?” Lillian asked.

I nodded as I tried to force myself to smile. “As a matter of fact, Landon and I are engaged as well. We’re planning a December wedding.”

Oh my God.

Oh. My. God.

Did that really just come out of my mouth? I felt, more than saw, Landon whip his head around to look at me.

It’s okay. I’ll fix this all once I get Jason out of the way, and then I can talk to Landon.

“Oh, holy shit.”

The voice came from behind me and Landon. I didn’t have to turn to see that it was Hailey.

I ignored the way Landon’s eyes were boring into me as I plastered on my best smile.

Lillian gave a squeal of delight. “Oh, my gosh! No wonder you got in a bidding war with that other lady! I wouldn’t want anyone going out with my man, either.”

Jason frowned as he looked from me to Landon and shook his head slightly. “I always knew there was something more than friendship between the two of you.”

I could feel Landon’s eyes still on me as he softly said, “Is that right?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and decided to ignore that statement as well. Maybe I could just ignore the last thirty minutes. Pretend none of it even happened. No, that wouldn’t work. I’m a fixer, so I’d just simply fix it all. It was only Jason and Lillian. Two people, one little white lie.

“When did he ask you to marry him?” Lillian asked in a voice that was way too excited and way too loud.

“Marry? You’re getting married?” Janet asked. “To who?”

Before I had a chance to dig myself out of the mess I had made, Lillian took the shovel and dug another few feet down for me. “To Landon! They’re engaged and getting married this December. A Christmas wedding!”

I held up my hands. “I never said it was a Christmas––”

Janet’s eyes went wide. “No wonder you bid against Claire!”

And before I even knew what was happening, Janet rushed off, back toward the stage.

“Oh no,” I whispered.

“Things just got crazy fun!” Hailey declared as we all watched Janet move quickly through the crowd.

Landon pointed at Janet. “What’s she doing, Emme?”

“We need to stop her!” I cried out as I broke away from Landon’s hold on me and started to push my way through the crowd, calling out Janet’s name.

“Janet! No! Wait, we don’t want people to know yet!”

I wasn’t sure how in the hell the woman moved so fast. It was like she grew wings and flew over everyone, because she was on the stage before I could stop her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, oh my, let me get your attention!” Janet said.

“Wait!” I called out. “Janet, no!”

“I just heard the most exciting news, and we all know I can’t keep a secret!”

The crowd laughed.

“That last auction we had…well, let’s just say, don’t come between a woman and the man she loves.”

“Janet! No!” I whisper-shouted from the bottom of the steps. If she heard me, she ignored me.

“Emme, stop her!” Landon said as he gave me a little push.

I started up the steps. If I had to rip the microphone out of her hands, I’d do it. But as I got to the last step, I tripped and landed on my hands and knees.

“Right, because that is just my luck,” I mumbled as I tried to stand up.

“Emmerson! Shit, are you okay?” Landon asked, rushing over to help me.

I stood and realized it was too late. I had really fucked up this time, and I had dragged Landon down with me.

“Janet!” I whisper-hissed again, willing her to stop speaking.

“The reason our very own Emmerson Wallace got into that bidding war was because she’s engaged to her longtime best friend, Landon Lewis!”

And just like that…time stopped.

The floor I stood on felt like it had been ripped out from under me. I swayed and would have fallen over if not for Landon’s strong arms grabbing hold of me. I followed his gaze to the table where our parents were sitting, and we both let out a groan at the same time. They were all staring at us with shocked expressions on their faces.

“You’re engaged! Oh my goodness, this is amazing,” I heard someone in the crowd say. I honestly didn’t want to see who it was. “I can’t wait to see you Instagram this journey.”

“Oh yes! Please say you’re going to share every part of your wedding with us!” another female voice said.