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Dean sighed in exasperation. Would the guy ever get a clue? He watched Emilie for a reaction, but her face stayed wicked calm. She looked collected, but he knew her too well. He went back to supporting her from behind, holding her to let her know this would pass soon. Surely, Finn wouldn’t invite her? Six years since they dated, six years since they’d seen each other.
She reached back and tightened her ponytail. Dean breathed in her lemon-scented shampoo. His favorite smell in the whole world, other than the salty air.
“Congratulations.” Her voice was as steady as water on a busy boat day. Not steady at all.
Finn grinned wider. “Thanks. I was hoping you would come. It won’t be the same without you there.”
Dean stared at his shoes. As if she would go to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. What an idiot.
Emilie dug her sandal into the ground and rotated it in the dirt. “I don’t know about—”
“Oh, come on.” Finn’s cheerful face never wavered. “I know we had a rough time in high school, but that’s behind us. Don’t you want to move on and get back to the way things used to be? We had so much fun together.” His eyebrows waggled playfully. “Plus the bride would love some help.”
Dean leaned over to check her reaction. Emilie smiled, a trickle of one, but he could tell it took effort. She shouldn’t be cordial. Not to Finn. Never to Finn. The jerk didn’t deserve it.
Dean gave her a don’t fall for him again look. No way she was really considering going, right? Why had she never seen what an idiot he was? As if she wanted to plan his wedding!
Finally Emilie spoke. “I’m sure your future wife has family and friends, and I’m a bit busy this summer.”
“I promise it won’t be too much. She likes to do most of the preparations herself. It’s moral support she needs the most.” Finn clapped his hands together. “I’ll put you on the guest list. I’m guessing you don’t have a plus one.”
Anger flared in Dean’s chest. Time to bring his idea into motion. No way he’d let Finn hurt her again. Instead of thinking things through, words spewed from his mouth. “I’m her plus one. We got engaged three weeks ago.”
Emilie swiveled around and stared at Dean. “Why? What—”
“Oh, sweetie, I know you wanted to get settled before telling people, but I couldn’t resist.” Dean pulled her into a tight hug and whispered in her ear. “Go with it. He’s looking at you like a chopped-up fish dinner.”
Emilie straightened, but stayed in Dean’s arms. It would explain why she came back to Danvers and also why she would be leaving. If she needed an easy out, a quick breakup with him could explain her exit from town. Not that he wanted to give her a reason. He’d brought up the plan, and if he got crushed later, she wouldn’t be responsible.
“I guess it is time we told someone, honey.” Her voice came out less shaky than before as she turned around to face Finn.
After her lie, Dean let her relax against his chest, more than happy she was willing to play along.
Finn’s cheerful demeanor flipped a 180. “You two? Really? I mean, it makes sense. You two were always together, maybe even more than we were, huh Emilie?”
Emilie pasted on a smile. “Yep, Dean and I were meant to be.”
Blessed discomfort slipped into Finn’s usual confidence. He shoved his hands in his expensive slack pockets. “My fiancé would love your help. She’s planned some wedding events to lead up to the final day, and it’s really surprising that no one’s volunteered to help her.”
Worry slipping into him like oil, spreading and contaminating Dean’s mind. If it was who he thought it was, this wedding was going to hurt Emilie even more. “Who is your fiancé, by the way? You didn’t mention her name.”
Finn stood up tall and flexed his arms. “Oh, you two know her well. It’s Ava. That girl’s had me hooked around her pinky since high school.”
It didn’t take a dummy to see how Finn’s words affected Emilie. If he didn’t get Finn out of there right then, he’d ruin everything. If there was the slightest chance she wasn’t staying in Danvers for good, this would be just the thing to make her leave. He slipped his hand in Emilie’s and entwined his fingers through hers.
“You know we’re not friends, right? Did you miss out on that in high school?”
Finn looked as shocked as Dean. Bravo! Dean wanted to kiss her for being so brave. Instead he rubbed his thumb over her palm.
“I know she was uptight in high school,” Finn said, oblivious to Emilie’s watery eyes, “but she’s changed.” Finn waved their unspoken concerns away. “I promise. There’s a lot you two need to talk about, and she’s hoping you’ll be a part of the wedding.”
Emilie lifted her head and sniffed. “She does? I’ve needed to talk to her too. I’m not sure I have time to help with the wedding, but I would like to meet with her.”
Dean squeezed her hand.
Finn looked away from their joined hands and cleared his throat. “Is it all right if I pass along your number to Ava? Later you two can meet up and talk.”
Emilie chewed on her lip for half a second. Finn didn’t have the right to have her number again. “Sure. I have the same number as before. Text over the details.”
