Page 81 of Bossy Bride: Emma and Jesse

“Hmm. Is it… a sex toy?”

“Jesse Boston!”

“What? That’s what people use headphones and blindfolds for, right?”

She gets up out of her seat, even though we’re still taxiing, and walks around the table, slips the blindfold over my eyes, and slaps the headphones over my ears. Then she pulls one away from my ear, leans into me, and whispers, “Do not even think about peeking, mister.”

“Bossy,” I say.

She lets the headphone slap back against my head and music starts to play. Classical music with the volume turned way, way up. So I literally cannot hear a damn thing.

Once the jet has stopped, she leads me out. It’s a little chilly this morning in Key West, and I suddenly hope we’re not going diving. I hate being in the water when it’s cold.

Emma leads me by the arm. I try to pay attention. Try to figure out where we’re at. I’m pretty familiar with the Key West airport. We fly in to the jet club a lot. But I can’t, for the life of me, figure out exactly where we are in the club without eyes and ears.

She’s probably taking me to the marina. I bet there’s a yacht involved. Maybe she didn’t buy me one, but she knows how much I love sailing.

Or maybe we’re going back to her parents’ house for a huge reception. I can see Emma wanting total control over the wedding reception since her bossy mom and Kraken Karen actually did get their way in all things Baby Boston wedding.

Or maybe… she’s taking me to a five-star hotel and when she takes this blindfold off, she’ll be standing there in kinky lingerie, ready for another wedding night?

I like all these ideas as she puts a hand on my head, indicating I should duck and get into the waiting car. I’m actually pretty excited about this little surprise she’s cooked up.

Then the car is moving. But… the drive is kinda long. And there’s a lot of traffic because it feels like every minute or so we stop to wait at a light.

Where the hell are we?

Finally we stop and I’m helped out of the car. Emma’s hand finds mine and we’re walking again. Definitely outside. And it’s not Key West. I know this for sure now. It’s cold.

But pretty soon we’re inside again. Then we’re on an elevator.

I think I’ve been a good sport so far, but now I’m dying! Like… dying to know what the hell is happening. Because it’s Christmas and if we’re not in Key West—holy shit. My new mother-in-law is gonna kill me if we don’t show up for Christmas.

Missing Christmas Eve for a crazy wedding she planned? Yeah, New Mom is all over that. On board, as they say. But missing the day?

Nah. I’m dead. I’m so dead when we get back in Key West.

Then we stop. I reach for my blindfold, convinced it’s time. But Emma’s hand stops me. Then she lifts one headphone away from my ear and says, “OK. We’re here. Are you ready for your Christmas present, husband of mine?”

I grin like a kid. “So ready. Hit me, Emma. Hit me with your best shot.”

She giggles. “I’m starting to think you have a thing for Pat Benatar.”

“I have a thing for you.”

“OK. Here we go.” She lifts the headphones off my head, then whispers, “Take off your blindfold.”

For a moment I’m super nervous and I hesitate. Because something about this place feels… familiar. And then… I know.

I know where we are.

I lift the blindfold up and off, holding it tight in my hand.

And I just look around in wonder.

A massive Christmas tree is in front of the window that has too many panes of glass. So many it looks like a checkerboard. Underneath are mounds of presents, some wrapped for Christmas, some for a wedding reception. And right next to it is the Santa Machine.

The entire dining room is filled with food. Turkey, and ham, and a seven-tier wedding cake. There is a roaring fire in the fireplace and hanging from the mantle are stockings.