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“Is this the thing Ben’s been trying to talk to me about?” She looks toward the kitchen table again. “Why haven’t you come to me?”
I pat his leg. “I should leave you guys alone.”
Emmett grabs my hand. “Stay. You’re just as big a part of this as me. You made me see a bigger vision.”
Scarlett smiles at her cousin, and her gaze flicks to our joined hands. She crosses her legs, putting her elbow on her knee and her chin in her palm. “Tell me, because this Parker woman couldn’t stop going on and on about the gender reveal and some daddy shower for her husband. It sounds like something we should offer.”
I turn toward Emmett, and his face lights up. My heart explodes for him.
For the next half hour, Emmett tells Scarlett all the ideas we’ve come up with and how he wants to run it. He wants to be in charge of the dude ranch part, and he turns to me. “I think Briar should be in charge of the other plans. Putting schedules together, arranging whatever is on the other end.”
“No,” I say, my head going from him to Scarlett. “This is your idea. Not mine.”
“Not true. When Parker came up to us, Briar is the one who sold her on the daddy shower thing. And she’s had other ideas too.”
Scarlett stares at me for a second. I’m ready for her to tell me I’m just a yoga instructor, but she leans forward and pats my leg. “Come see me in my office on Monday morning.”
“But—”
“And you have my vote, Emmett. I’ll stand by your side during the meeting.”
A rush of air leaves Emmett. “Shit, Scarlett, I don’t know what to say.”
“That you should’ve come to me sooner?” She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh. “Now stand up and let me give you each a hug.” I stand, and she squeezes me tightly. “Congratulations. I knew he’d find someone who could handle him. He’s really a softy, isn’t he?”
She laughs and walks over to Emmett. When she pulls away from their hug, Scarlett looks back at me. “Your secret is safe with me, but the family would be very happy to have you as a part of it. You practically are already. And I know Gillian has been a little overbearing lately, but she knows deep down that Emmett will take care of you. Trust her.” She steps toward the door. “See you guys in a little bit.”
We wave, and she shuts the door.
I blow out a breath. “Did that actually happen?”
“I was gonna ask you the same thing.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell her the baby isn’t yours. I just…Gillian should know first.”
“Don’t sweat it.” Emmett’s arms swoop in and pick me up. “After you tell Gillian tonight, we’ll finally be released from these chains, and we can just be us.”
He swings me around, but all I can think is that telling my sister could be the start of a lot of problems for us. I’m not so sure Scarlett is right. But I sure hope she is.
Chapter Thirty-One
Emmett
I sit in the back of The Knotted Barn, watching Sadie ooh and aah over all her gifts. Gillian has had Briar next to her since we walked in together, and Scarlett keeps giving me this knowing smile. Ben is ignoring me, both of our black eyes barely visible anymore, and Jude sits next to Sadie, looking disgruntled as always.
The more I sit here watching them open gifts, the more bitter I become. Everyone in this room should know I’m with Briar. That we’ve found that something special together. Sure, I’ll deal with the shitty comments about how they never thought they’d see the day and I’m not mature enough to be in a serious relationship. They’ll all cast their judgments on me, but I don’t give a shit because Briar sees the real me. She knows who I really am under my jokester exterior.
Bennett folds himself into the seat next to me, eyeing Briar. “So did you take the step?”
“What?”
He leans in closer. “You know what I’m asking.”
I shouldn’t tell anyone. Scarlett knows, and Bennett knows that I was entertaining the idea. But if Briar’s telling Gillian tonight, does it really matter if Bennett knows?
I nod.
He smiles. “I’m proud of you.”
