“Why am I not surprised James Bond has his own tux?” came Casey’s biting reply.
“It was for work purposes, Case.” Emma sighed. “Look, I get that he’s still not one of your favorite people, but—”
“No, no, you’re right. We don’t have many options, and Nate actually likes him.”
“Well, I’m glad at least one of you likes the father of my child.”
Casey groaned. “You know I like him…I’m just not back in love with him like you are.”
“So you want me to tell him to be suited up and ready to roll at noon with the rest of the bridal party?”
“Yes, I would be thrilled and honored if he would be there.”
Emma laughed. “Yeah, you sounded really convinced on that one.”
Casey snickered. “I’ll work on it by the time I see him, okay?”
“Okay then. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.”
After Emma hung up the phone, she slid back under the covers. Snuggling up to Aidan’s warm body she leaned over and kissed his lips. “Wake up, baby.”
He grimaced while his eyes remained closed. She kissed him again. “Em?” he murmured against her lips.
She nuzzled her forehead against his neck, her thigh draping over his. Mistaking it for an invitation, Aidan snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her up to straddle him. Emma shook her head. “Whoa, cowboy, just what do you think you’re doing?”
He grinned lazily up at her. “I’d think you were more the cowgirl in that position.”
Emma laughed. “Yeah, well, this cowgirl isn’t ready to ride today.” When Aidan made a face, she added, “Well, at least not right now. I need to ask you something.”
Aidan cocked his eyebrows at her. “What is it?”
Emma then related everything she had talked to Casey about. When she finished, Aidan exhaled noisily. “You mean she actually wants me in the wedding?”
“Sure, she does.”
Aidan gave her a skeptical look. “Seriously?” When she bobbed her head enthusiastically, Aidan smirked at her. “Emma Katherine Harrison, you are the worst liar in the world.”
“Look, Nate really likes you, and Casey always did. She’s just having a hard time forgiving you.” Her response elicited a grunt from Aidan. “So does that mean you’ll do it?”
“Of course I will.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she replied, kissing his cheeks and then his lips. “You’re really going to make Casey so happy doing this. She thought her perfect day was ruined. No woman wants the slightest thing to go wrong on her wedding day. I mean, it’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life, right?”
A far-away look clouded Aidan’s eyes. “Maybe I should call and tell her I’ll do it. You know, really try to smooth things over.”
“That would be awesome.”
He brought his lips to hers, kissing her tenderly, while running his hands up her back. “You go on and get in the shower. I’ll come join you in a minute.”
“Why do I have the feeling the cowboy is going to expect to ride off into the sunset during our shower?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Go on and let me talk to Casey.”
“Fine, fine,” she muttered as she climbed off of him.
Whatever Aidan had to say, it took him awhile to do it. Emma was getting out of the shower when he came in the bathroom. “Everything go okay?” she asked, sweeping her hair back in a towel. When he didn’t respond, she caught his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He was brushing his teeth, but his lips were fixed in a wide, almost goofy grin.
“Aidan, did you hear me?”
He spat out a mouth-full of toothpaste. “Huh?”
“I asked you how the call went.”
Once again, a wide grin curved on his lips. “It went really, really well.”
She eyed him suspiciously as she dried off. “Well, good. I’m glad to hear it. Having you and Casey back on friendly terms would be the answer to a prayer.”
Aidan turned off the water. “Em, I’m not the one who hasn’t been accepting. I mean, I got nailed in the balls for Christ’s sake!”
“I know you haven’t.” She kissed his bare shoulder. “That’s why I’m so proud of you for being the bigger person by trying to make things right.”
He cocked his brows at her. “You’re proud of me?”
“Mmm, hmm.” At his grin, she smacked his ass. “Now get a move on, mister. Casey’s emotions today are like treading on thin ice. Being late is the last thing we need.”
“I thought you had to go get beautified with her?”
“I do.” Emma eyed her phone on the counter. “Shit. I better throw something on. I’m supposed to be at the spa in thirty minutes. Will you be a real sweetheart and bring my dress to the church?”
“Of course I will.” When he leaned over to kiss her, his mouth tasted of mint.
“Thanks,” she murmured against his lips.
“I love you,” Aidan said as he pulled away.
“I love you more,” she argued with a grin.
***
After a luxurious morning at the spa having facials and massages, the entire bridal party’s hair and makeup were done. Emma couldn’t help giggling at how comical Casey looked in a tracksuit coupled with her full make-up and intricate veil and sparkling tiara.
Casey stared down at herself. “What? You don’t think there’s something wrong with this look, do you? I bet I could walk in Wal-Mart like this, and no one would say anything.”
Emma grabbed her purse. “Hmm, high praise indeed from the Wal-Mart shoppers.”
Casey laughed. “Come on. We gotta haul ass to the church.”
Rolling her eyes, Emma said, “Only you would say ass and church in the same sentence.”
“You know you love my potty mouth.”
“I love everything about you, bestie.”
Casey held up her hand. “No more emotional landmine comments like that, Em. I can’t risk my make-up.”
Emma laughed. “Fine. I’ll be a total hard ass the rest of the morning. Happy?”
“Thrilled. Now come on.”
Emma and Casey, along with the rest of the bridal party, headed to Christ the King Cathedral. It had been Nate’s church since childhood, and Emma thought it made a beautiful venue for a wedding.
Once locked into a preparation room, they got busy getting Casey into her mammoth dress. Emma stood back, gazing at Casey. Her earlier promise was forgotten when tears filled her eyes. “You look amazing!”