Ignite

“Two more weeks. Can you believe it darling?”

My mother was standing at her kitchen island cutting up some fabric that was being used to make bows or something for the wedding reception when Adaline and I got back from our honeymoon. Since we were having a family only wedding, we decided to have a reception for our friends and co-workers once we got back. I quickly learned to smile and nod and pretty much just let the women in my life do whatever they pleased concerning this wedding and reception.

With a polite smile, I shook my head. “Nope. It’s not going by fast enough. I just want to make Addie mine already.”

My mother let out a soft laugh as she concentrated on cutting the fabric. “She is not a piece of property to own Emmit Lewis.”

I took a bite of beef jerky and nodded my head. “Yes ma’am, I’m fully aware of that.”

My phone beeped as I pulled it out and saw it was an email. The Subject line read, Your Laluna reservation.

“Looks like the hotel is confirming our reservation.” I said as I opened up the email. My mouth dropped to the floor as I read what it said.

Dear Mr. Lewis,

This is to confirm your cancelation of your beach cottage booked from December 23 through January 5.

I didn’t even finish reading the email and I was calling the resort.

“Emmit, what’s wrong?” my mother asked as I mumbled every curse word known to man.

“Hello! Yes, I just got an email confirming that my reservation had been cancelled. Lewis. Emmit Lewis. I never cancelled anything. I’m getting married there for Christ sakes!”

“I’m so sorry about this. Ms. Morgan called and canceled that just moments ago.”

My heart was stuck in my throat. I knew Adaline hadn’t called because she was standing in the dining room laughing with my sister about some stupid family tradition. “When did she call exactly?”

“No more than ten minutes. I just sent the email. I was the one who took the call. She said she was the bride, Ms. Morgan.”

“That’s impossible because I’m looking at my fiancé and she has not been on her phone at all.”

“Oh my goodness, Mr. Lewis I’m so very sorry. She stated she was Ms. Morgan.”

I glanced at my worried mother as I made my way outside. “Okay listen, someone is obviously trying to play some kind of game. Please tell me our wedding is still set and that nothing has happened with that.”

More typing. Silence followed by more typing. “No, nothing has been changed with that. I’m putting a note in your file now to alert the entire staff of what has happened. Mr. Lewis let me be the first to apologize. I would have never cancelled it had I thought it was someone playing a cruel joke. She even had your credit card number when she confirmed.”

Stephanie.

“No harm, no foul. But if you would please alert your staff as well as Roslinda, our wedding planner, that if anyone tries to make any changes, she is to call me first.”

“Yes, sir. I will personally call her right this moment. I’m glad we were able to get this taken care of.”

I nodded and blew out a breath. “So am I, or I would have had one very upset bride-to-be.”

After ending the call, I pulled up Robert’s number. I didn’t want to bother Mr. Elliot with this kind of bullshit, so I had been keeping his son Robert in the loop. After I got the picture of Lola and me, then another picture of me with my arm around Stephanie at a benefit dinner that my sister Ashley had taken, I knew something wasn’t right. I immediately told Adaline what was happening and she agreed that it all seemed a little fishy. Now with this happening, all signs were pointing to Stephanie. She had access to everything of mine at one time.

Fucking bitch.

“Emmit? Is everything okay?” Adaline asked as she made her way over to me. I quickly decided she didn’t need to know what Stephanie had done. I caught it in time and fixed it. No need to add any stress on my beautiful bride.

Forcing a smile, I nodded and pulled her into my arms. With a quick kiss to the top of her head, I said, “Everything is perfect, baby. I needed to have Robert take care of something for me.”

Adaline pulled back and looked into my eyes. “Are you sure?”

I slipped my hand behind her neck and pulled her lips to mine. Kissing her with as much love and passion as I could, Adaline moaned into my mouth. If my mother and sister hadn’t been in the house I would have taken Adaline right here by the pool.

When my lips broke contact with hers, Adaline giggled. “Wow. It doesn’t feel so chilly outside now.”