The Dating Arrangement

by Kerri Carpenter

  Emerson couldn’t believe how much she’d said to her mother already. Even more surprising was how well her mother was taking everything. At this point, she might as well keep going.

  Isn’t that what Jack would tell her? To stick up for herself?

  “My whole life I’ve felt like I’m not good enough. I never measured up to Amelia. She was the golden child and I was a big screwup.”

  Pain, pure and simple, flashed on Beatrice’s face. “You don’t have to compete with your sister. Not ever.” She squeezed Emerson’s hands tightly. “Why would you want to, honestly?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Amelia’s not happy. I wouldn’t be either if Charlie were my husband.”

  She felt like she’d just fallen down the rabbit hole. What the what? “Mama! I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “She’s right though.”

  Emerson and her mother both turned in shock to find Amelia standing there. She’d come in through the back door. They both jumped up.

  “Mia,” Emerson said on an exhale. “Ohmigod. I’m so sorry you heard that.”

  “Sweetheart,” Beatrice began walking toward her daughter.

  Amelia held her hand up to stop both of them. “Don’t be sorry. Charlie is a horrible husband. To be honest, he’s not even that great a person.”

  There must be something in the air today. Emerson chewed on a nail as she studied her sister, waiting for her to say she was kidding. But that didn’t happen. Amelia’s face was calm and her demeanor steady.

  “Did something happen between you and Charlie?” she asked.

  “Nothing happened. That’s kind of the point. Charlie is absent. He’s disinterested. He’s boring. I follow him around when he travels for work, but he never makes time for me. I know he likes showing me off to his friends and colleagues. I feel like a glorified lawn ornament.”

  “An absolutely gorgeous lawn ornament,” Emerson said loyally.

  Mia chuckled, then grew serious again. “I feel like I don’t have any interests of my own. I don’t really have a life to be proud of.” A tear escaped her eye. “I don’t have a life at all. Not like you.” She looked at Emerson.

  Emerson’s heart broke for her little sister.

  “Don’t pity me, Em. It’s my own fault.” She swiped at the solitary tear. “I just kinda always went with the flow. I never attempted to branch out and do anything on my own. But you know what? I’m done.”

  “What does that mean exactly?” Beatrice asked.

  “I know I want more out of life. I’m not sure where to start, so the first thing I’m going to do is file for divorce. My marriage is over.”

  Emerson watched her sister, expecting tears and shaking. Instead of seeing sadness though, what she noticed was an overwhelming sense of relief.

  Beatrice crossed to Amelia. She paused and then grabbed her daughter in a fierce hug. “About time.”

  They broke apart and Amelia actually laughed. “About time? We’ve only been married six months.”

  “Six months too long, if you ask me. What do you think, Emerson?”

  “Totally.”

  “If you both felt this way, why did you never say anything?”

  Beatrice sighed. “Because you were so intent on marrying him. I know how stubborn you can be when your mind is set on something.”

  Well, how about that, Emerson thought. She definitely didn’t give her mother enough credit. Apparently she was attuned to everything going on with her daughters.

  “You know what we need right now?” Beatrice said, clapping her hands together. She didn’t answer right away. Instead she ran to her office and returned with a bottle of bourbon. “Something to take the edge off.”

  “Mama,” Emerson said as Amelia’s mouth dropped open. “You keep a bottle of bourbon in your office?”

  “Scotch, wine and a little gin too.” She winked. “How do you think I get through dealing with some of those tough bridezillas?”

  Emerson’s whole world was turning upside down. To be honest, she kind of liked the view from this side.

  “Who wants some?” Beatrice waved the bottle.

  “We need glasses,” Amelia said.

  “Says who? The bourbon police?”

  Yep, the world was on its head.

  “What happened to our prim and proper mama?” Amelia asked, tentatively accepting the bottle.

  “Girls, the world is not black-and-white. There are all types of gray. You can be polite and have good manners without being a stodgy, boring dud. Speaking of gray...” She tapped her finger against her mouth.

  “What?” Emerson tilted her head. She followed her mother’s gaze to the other side of the store. Her eyes raked over the mounds of dresses, but she didn’t see anything out of order.

  Beatrice pointed at Amelia. “The silver dress. It just came in a couple of weeks ago. You know the one?”

  “Very 1920s-inspired. With the beading?”

  “That’s the one.”

  She rushed off to the other side of the store and returned carrying a gorgeous sleeveless silver gown. It was covered in beading, had a V-shaped neckline and hung straight down to the ground. It was a modern version of a gown that could have been in The Great Gatsby.

  “That’s gorgeous,” Emerson said, unable to hold in the wistful sigh.

  And it was. Different. Unique. Unlike so many of the cookie-cutter gowns that cluttered the store.

  “I think this would look exquisite on you.”

  Amelia began clapping her hands together. “Yes. You have to try this on, Em.” Amelia came to her and squeezed her hands.

  Emerson broke away and backed up. “No, no, no.” She threw her hands up in front of her.

  “Yes, yes, yes.” Beatrice also stepped forward. “Time to fully let go of your past and all of your hang-ups about weddings and wedding dresses.”

  “Mama,” she groaned. “I can’t.”

  Beatrice stepped forward and framed her face with her hands. “Yes, you can. You are my strong Emerson.”

  She didn’t know how it happened, but ten minutes later she was standing in front of the three-way mirrors, wearing the gorgeous silver dress, which fit her to a tee. Except for the length, it almost didn’t even need an alteration.

  “This is amazing,” she whispered reverently.

  “It really, truly is,” Amelia agreed.

  Emerson turned to her mother and almost fell off the pedestal. Beatrice Dewitt had tears in her eyes.

  She exhaled. “That’s simply perfect.” She coughed and dabbed at her eyes. “You need a headpiece. I’ll be back.”

  Emerson exchanged a glance with her sister. “Wow. Didn’t see that coming.”

  “I did. You look amazing. This is the dress you need to wear when you get married.”

  Emerson sighed. “If that even happens.”

  “Of course it’s going to happen. You’re young and beautiful. Plus you have that hottie boyfriend.”

  “Yeah, well, I may have messed that up royally.”

  Amelia shook her head back and forth. “I don’t know. Have you seen the way that man looks at you?”

  “You’ve mentioned that.”

  “Thad never even compared to him, you know.”

  Emerson went sentimental. “I’m over Thad. I really am. In fact, I don’t think I loved him at all.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.”

  “How do you know?” Amelia asked.

  “Because I didn’t get that feeling with Thad. You know, that kind of tingly feeling. The one that makes your head all fuzzy and your knees weak.”

  “I’ve never experienced anything close to that kind of feeling with Charlie. Or with any of my boyfriends, really.”

  “I have. With Jack,” she whispered.

&
nbsp; Beatrice came back in, carrying two different veils. She took a turn holding each up to Emerson. Then shook her head. “Nope, neither of these work with the dress.”

  “I don’t think she should wear a veil at all. Maybe just something sparkly, like a headband or something,” Amelia offered.

  Emerson started playing with her hair, pulling the curls up into a loose ponytail. “Maybe something like this. Then some kind of headband or clip here.” Her mother grinned. “What?”

  “See, wedding dresses aren’t so bad.”

  Emerson let her hair fall back down. She ran a hand down the column of the dress. It really was stunning. And she truly loved how it looked on her.

  She could see herself standing at an altar. Not in a church, but maybe at a vineyard. Something that had a nice room that opened onto a patio. Under some kind of gazebo. With twinkly lights strung from wall to wall.

  Her sister would be there, and her parents, of course. But the crowd wouldn’t be too large. Just immediate family and close friends. Grace and Amelia would be her bridesmaids.

  A white cake would sit off in one corner of the room. Cascading flowers decked out in glitter to match her dress would tumble down one side of it.

  She closed her eyes. She could almost smell the flowers, taste the wine on her tongue, hear the sounds of the string quartet. Her eyes opened and she took another peek at herself in the mirror.

  The dress was perfect. The vision was perfect.

  Jack was perfect.

  She shook her head. Jack wasn’t perfect. He was just perfect for her.

  And he was leaving. Her eyes widened and she hiccupped to hold in a tear.

  Her mother stepped up onto the pedestal. “What is it, Emerson?”

  “Jack’s leaving me.” Her voice wavered as she said those three horrible words out loud.

  “Oh Em.” Amelia joined them, as well.

  “I don’t want him to go.”

  Beatrice pushed a curl behind her ear. “What do you want?”

  “I want him to stay. I want him to keep the bar, because I think it means more to him than he’ll admit. I want him to realize how much he needs Cosmo in his life, because he’s such a good doggy dad. And I want... I want him to be with me.”

  “Does he know that?” Amelia asked.

  Sadly, she shook her head.

  “I didn’t say anything when you were dating Thad,” Her mother said. She looked at Amelia. “And I haven’t said anything about you and Charlie. Well, that stops now. I’m butting in.” She took Emerson by the shoulders. “Don’t let Jack get away.”

  “But our whole relationship has been a lie. We started out playing pretend.” Her hand flew to her mouth as soon as the words were out.

  Her mother and sister stared at her. So she told them everything. When she was done, she waited for the disappointment. What she didn’t expect was for her mother to seem skeptical.

  “I absolutely don’t like that you and Jack lied to all of us. And climbing out of that window in the Pnina dress—I could just strangle you. However, we’ve all seen you together. You may have started out playing pretend, but trust me, the two of you evolved into a very real couple. There’s just one question left.”

  She tilted her head. “What’s that?”

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  Her mother stepped back and yanked on Amelia’s hand to bring her with her. That left Emerson alone on the pedestal.

  “You want Jack Wright? Go get him.”

  “I...uh, I...” Emerson bit her lip. She took another look at her reflection. She made a beautiful bride. Jack had told her that when this had all begun. He was right. The only thing missing was her groom.

  A smile blossomed on her face. She turned to her mother and sister and offered a strong nod. “You’re right. You’re so freaking right. I love Jack. And it’s about time he knows it.”

  She jumped down and frantically searched for her shoes. She slipped her feet into the loafers and wondered where her coat was. Realizing she was wasting time, she gave up the search and started for the door.

  “Em, what are you doing? Where are you going?”

  “To see Jack.”

  As suddenly as the urge to run to her pretend boyfriend filled her, the excitement dissipated. Emerson froze and then slowly turned back to her mother and sister. She shook her head.

  “No. Nope. I’m not going to run to him.”

  “And why is that?” Beatrice asked, with a knowing twinkle in her eye.

  “Because if Jack really wants to be with me, then he needs to realize that. He needs to come to me. I’m good enough just the way I am.”

  Her mother enfolded her into a fierce hug. “About time you realize what the rest of us already see.”

  Emerson smiled on the outside. She felt lighter and more confident. But as she walked to the window at the back of the dressing room—the window she’d climbed out of not that long ago—she was still hurting on the inside. She wanted Jack.

  But there was now something she wanted just as much. Happiness for herself.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You’re sure about this?”

  Jack nodded at Fred Koda’s question. He didn’t even need to take the time to think on his decision. It may not please everyone, but in his heart, he knew it was right.

  Time to take a new step in life.

  “Given everything that’s happened over the last couple of weeks, I want to make sure you’re thinking clearly. Are you positive you know what you’re doing here?”

  Jack offered his oldest friend a wry grin. Then he clasped Xander on the back. “I thought you would agree with my decision.” He knew where Xander stood on the matter.

  As if offering his support, Cosmo let out a little yip. Jack leaned down and rubbed a hand over the dog’s head.

  “I think Cosmo agrees with me,” Jack said.

  “And I thought you were so strict about not bringing him into the bar,” Xander said, with one eyebrow arching in question.

  “Well, it’s a big day. I thought my new roommate would want in on it.”

  Jack rolled Xander’s fancy pen over and over in his hands. Why anyone thought to spend such an absurd amount of money on a writing utensil was beyond him. He handed it back over to Xander.

  Fred shuffled through the papers on the table where the three of them were sitting. “Looks like all the right lines have been signed.” He reached over and clasped Jack’s hand firmly. Silently, they shook hands.

  Xander said, “I think we’re all done here.”

  The three of them stood. Anticipating activity, Cosmo popped up as well, with his tail wagging.

  Jack grinned. “Well...not quite.” He turned to Xander. “Do me a favor and man the bar?”

  Xander straightened the tie that complemented what had to be a very expensive business suit. “For how long? I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.”

  “I’m not sure. If I’m back in a couple of minutes, you’ll know it didn’t go well.”

  “Fine. Can Mr. Cosmo stay with me?”

  “No way. I need him for moral support. Plus who can say no to his face?”

  He didn’t give Xander another chance to speak, because he was already leashing Cosmo up and heading toward the door. Sensing something exciting was happening, Cosmo was extra animated.

  It would have taken Jack a minute to walk around the block, but the dog had other ideas. “Must you pee on every blade of grass?” he asked Cosmo. The dog just lifted his leg one more time.

  Finally, he reached the bridal boutique. “This is it, Cosmo. Wish me luck.” Taking a huge breath, he pulled the door open and stepped inside to a land of white puffiness and sparkles and all things bridal.

  He walked through the store for a few minutes before he heard voices coming from the dressing ro
oms. Jack picked up Cosmo and headed in that direction.

  He rapped his knuckles on the open door before stepping inside. Mrs. Dewitt and Amelia both turned in his direction. Shock initially registered on their faces. But then Amelia grinned and Mrs. Dewitt narrowed her eyes.

  He gulped. But then he looked to the right and saw her. Emerson was at the window, peering out.

  She was an absolute vision. Her auburn hair a curly mess around her face. And she was wearing the most beautiful silver dress. Jack had never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life.

  “Emerson,” he said.

  She whipped around and stumbled. He darted across the room and grabbed her arm to steady her. But then she stepped back.

  “Climbing out another window?” he asked, going for light and humorous. But feeling the room, he quickly realized it wasn’t the time for that. “I have some things to say.”

  He turned and handed Cosmo to Mrs. Dewitt.

  “If this dog pees or chews on one single thing in this store, I will skin you alive,” she said to Jack. Then she looked down at Cosmo, who stuck his little tongue out and licked her chin. Her face softened. “Aren’t you such a cutie? How sweet.”

  “He won’t damage anything,” Jack tried to assure her.

  “The same cannot be said for me.” She kissed Cosmo on the head and then stared Jack down with such intensity that he started considering climbing out the window himself.

  “I do not appreciate being lied to. While I understand you were helping my daughter—”

  “Mama,” Amelia interrupted. “I want to hear what he has to say. Let’s hold off on grilling him for a second.”

  “Thanks, Amelia,” Jack said gratefully. “Would you two mind if we had a little privacy?”

  Neither of them moved.

  “I would like to talk to Emerson in private,” he tried again.

  “No,” Mrs. Dewitt said.

  He could argue, but Jack had a feeling he wouldn’t come close to winning. Instead he turned back to Emerson, who hadn’t uttered a peep since he’d barged in.

  “Em, I just met with Xander and Fred Koda, my dad’s lawyer.”

  Emerson’s face fell and it seemed like her entire body deflated. “Oh. You did it then?”