Fool for You by Kelly Elliott

Landon

MY HEART HADN’T stopped pounding in my chest ever since Emmerson opened her front door. The second I laid my eyes on her, it felt like all the air from my lungs had been violently sucked out, and I had to force myself to breathe. It took every ounce of strength I had to stand there and act normally, when all I wanted to do was drool and take in every single inch of her perfect body.

When she’d gasped and let her gaze move over me with what I knew was lust in those iceberg eyes of hers, I almost wondered if she might want me as much as I wanted her. I quickly shook that idea away when she seemed distracted by something and wouldn’t meet my gaze. Maybe she was still worried about her client or something else.

I attempted to make small talk in the limo as we made the hour-and-a-half drive to Austin. “How were the plate sales for tonight?” I asked.

She turned from where she had been staring out the window and flashed me a smile so bright it could have lit up the inside of the limo. “The most sales they’ve ever had. Considering they had to add six tables to the outside terrace of the country club, I would say my little slip of the tongue worked in the hospital’s favor.”

I laughed. “It’s crazy we have the limo all to ourselves. I mean, usually we’d all be crammed in here.” Hailey and Mike were driving separately, and both our parents were already in Austin.

She laughed. “It’s weird that Noah isn’t coming. I’m starting to wonder if Amy really does have the flu.”

“Right? So, what do we do with all this alone time?”

Once the words were out of my mouth, Emmerson shot me a look, and I wished I could take them back. Her expression was sharp, but something about it made my skin suddenly blaze with heat.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked, a hint of seduction in her voice I’d never heard her use before. At least, not with me.

Swallowing hard, it was my turn to look away and stare out the window. “Remember all the games the four of us would play when we were in a limo?”

She let out a long sigh. “It used to be so fun to ride in these. Now it feels weird.”

Focusing back on her, I said, “We could have taken my truck, you know.”

Emmerson nodded. “I know, but Janet wanted those of us on the committee to arrive in limos. Thanks for being my…”

“Date?” I asked with my brows raised. “It’s not the first time.”

Her eyes searched my face, and I swore she felt that fucking crackle of electricity floating between us in the limo just as much as I did. I wasn’t imagining it.

“I can always count on you, Landon.”

I winked. “You know it.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s what best friends do for each other, right? Be there for one another.”

I pulled my brows in slightly. I wasn’t sure where she was going with this. “Yes. Always.”

With a nod, she looked back out the window. Something was off with her tonight, for sure.

“So, that wedding you planned for that actress. I heard some people talking about it in Mimi’s Café. Word is you’re famous now.”

She huffed. “My Instagram has blown up. I’ve had so many people reaching out in the last hour for sponsored ads or to partner up, it’s unreal. I had to turn off my notifications.”

“That’s a good thing, though, right? Good for your business, I mean.”

“It is,” she said with a halfhearted shrug. “But I’ve never really considered myself an influencer, and I’ve never had the desire to be one. I posted a picture of me dressed for this evening, and everyone is asking me who designed the dress, what brand of shoes I’m wearing. It’s crazy. But at the same time, it’s also kind of fun.”

“I don’t think it’s crazy. If they’re interested and it can grow your business or make you some extra money with sponsored ads or links, then do it, Emme.”

Her eyes met mine. “You think so? I mean, I want it to stay personal, though. I do share some of my private life on there, as you know. Us, movie night. Things like that. But now that I’m getting more followers, maybe I shouldn’t post about you as much.”

I took her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. “Let me ask you something: have you gotten more interest in Serendipity Wedding Planning?”

A sweet smile appeared on her beautiful face as she nodded. “I have, as a matter of fact. More than usual. I’m booked solid for four months out with just consultations.”

“See!” I said, giving her hand another squeeze. “There you go! And don’t worry about posting stuff about me. I’m part of your life, right?”

She dug her teeth into her bottom lip, and I couldn’t stop my gaze from lingering on her mouth.

“You’re right. I was so excited earlier, and then I guess I got a little scared at the reality of it. I’ve just been off the last few weeks.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

Our eyes locked. “Yes. Everything is amazing. Thank you so much for doing this. I owe you big time.”

“What are friends for, right?”

Her smile faltered for only a moment before she replied, “Right.”

“Mr. Lewis, we’re here,” the driver’s voice said through the speakers.

Sighing deeply, Emmerson shifted nervously in her seat. “I hope they decorated the tables in the right way. Maybe I should have come down and stayed last night.”

I took her hand as the limo door opened. “Stop worrying so much. It’s going to be perfect because you had a hand in it.”

“I was in charge of the decorations. All of them. What if they suck?” she asked.

I stepped out of the limo and then turned back to help her out. There were a few people off to the side, most likely hoping to see someone famous. Sometimes these charity events did attract an actor or singer. Someone snapped a few photos as I helped Emmerson out.

“You drove down here a few days ago and made sure it was all set. Stop worrying,” I whispered as we started to head toward the entrance of the country club.

She paused and pulled on my hand, forcing me to stop. “How did you know I came to Austin?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. You probably told me.”

“No, I didn’t tell you. We haven’t really talked much over the last week and a half, and you’d just come back from Vegas when I was here.”

“Clearly I heard it from someone.” I tugged at her hand. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about telling her I saw it on her Instagram, but considering how often I checked it the last few weeks, I was afraid she’d somehow be able to tell I was following her every move. She had posted about the charity dinner and auction, and had given a few teaser photos of how the tables would be decorated. “Come on, it’s starting to get chilly out. Is a cold front moving through?”

Emmerson stared at me as we walked up the grand steps of the country club.

“Mr. Lewis and Ms. Wallace,” I said to the doorman who was holding the guest list.

He glanced up and immediately looked at Emmerson and smiled. “Yes, um, Ms. Wallace, I was told to tell you everything is in place and ready. And to, ah, well, to ask you if you could do a quick walk-through before guests start to arrive.”

Emmerson gave him a warm smile, and I swore the little bastard winked at her.

“Did he wink at you?” I asked as we started down the marble-floored hallway.

With a giggle, she said, “I doubt it. Come on, I’m dying to see the ballroom.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see the asshole watching us walk away. When his eyes met mine, he quickly faced forward.

Little prick.

A few people stopped us as we made our way to the main ballroom—mostly other committee members, from what I could tell. There was a gentleman around my age standing next to Janet Monroe, and he reached out his hand for mine to shake.

“Another bachelor they’re putting on the block, I take it?” he asked.

“I am. Are you a victim as well?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes—name’s Nick Monroe. Janet’s my older sister, and she threatened me with secrets I’d thought she’d long forgotten if I didn’t participate.”

We all laughed except for Janet who shot her brother a smirk. “Like you’re not the least bit curious what you’ll bring in?” she asked.

Nick smirked back as he causally lifted one shoulder. “As long as I’m not expected to fuck anyone.”

Emmerson gasped and then covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

Janet hit her brother across the back of his head. “It’s one night and one dinner only! You’re an actor, just act like you’re enjoying it. Especially if you get more than the five thousand starting bid.”

“Five thousand!” Nick and I said at the same time.

“Do many guys get over five?” I asked.

“The highest we’ve ever had was seven thousand,” Janet answered.

Turning to Emmerson, I whispered in her ear, “If some old woman or a man bids on me, I give you permission to go as high as twenty thousand. I’ll front the money, just don’t let them get me.”

She swatted at my chest, “I’m heading into the room. I want to make sure the tables all look right.”

Janet’s face erupted into a wide grin. “Oh, Emmerson, they look beautiful. They match the sample table you did up the other day exactly.”

That sample table was what she had shared a photo of. Or at least part of it, anyway. My little Emme, always wanting to be in control somehow. No wonder she made such a good wedding planner.

She took my hand and led me through two large double doors, and I swore we stepped into another world when we walked into the ballroom.

“Holy shit,” I whispered as I looked around. “You did this, Emme?”

She took in the entirety of the room with her eyes as she nodded. “Yes, I came up with the design layout.”

Soft white fabric was draped across the ceiling of the ballroom, with elegant chandlers sprinkled throughout. White tables were decorated with large and small hurricane lamps, which held white candles and a spray of what looked like blue snow inside. The chairs had white covers on them with blue sashes that matched the shade in the hurricane lamps. The larger tables housed small potted trees in the middle with the hurricane lamps on both sides. Fine crystal glasses and silver flatware dressed each table. Scattered throughout the room were large candleholders with pearl strands that mimicked the sway of the fabric above.

Turning to look down at her, I was awestruck by the look on Emmerson’s face. It was one of pride, yet she seemed…lost to it all. As if she was in a place that made her utterly happy. She looked so beautiful I had to look away from her in order to catch my breath and calm my rapid heartbeat.

“This is stunning, sweetheart.”

Her head turned and she looked at me, her eyes sparkling a little more than normal. She should be damn proud of herself; she had done an amazing job.

“Thank you. It turned out so much better than I thought it would.”

Waiters and waitresses were walking to each table and filling up the glasses with water, while other people walked around each table to make sure everything was set up correctly.

“Look at the stage,” Emmerson said with a giggle.

I followed where she was looking and groaned. “That’s where it’s going to happen, huh?”

She faced me. God, she looked so beautiful tonight. It was hard not to stare at her, to tell her how she left me speechless every time I looked at her.

Lifting one hand, she pointed at me. “You better bring in more money than Janet’s brother.”

I drew in my brows. “Why, Emmerson Wallace, are you being competitive?”

Her hands went to her hips. “Yes! She brought in her hot brother at the last minute. And he’s an actor!”

A surge of jealousy ripped through me. “You think he’s hot?” I asked as I looked back over toward the doors, where the dick was standing right outside.

“Of course he’s hot.”

“But he’s…he’s…” My voice trailed off as Emmerson tilted her head and regarded me with a confused expression.

I clenched my fists at my sides, wanting to issue a stupid demand that she wasn’t allowed to say other guys were hot. At least not in my presence. Before I could say something so utterly insane, someone came rushing up to us.

It was a woman dressed in an elegant silver gown. She looked to be about my age, maybe a year or two older. She was pretty. Not anywhere close to being as beautiful as Emmerson, but she was certainly easy on the eyes. Maybe ol’ Nick would catch her attention.

“Emmerson! It looks beautiful in here. You have done such an amazing job. I cannot even begin to thank you for all the hard work and time you’ve put into this.”

Emmerson beamed, “I’m so glad you’re happy with it, Claire.” Emmerson took my arm and drew me closer to her. “Claire Castings, this is Landon Lewis. Claire is a very close and personal friend of the Worthington family. She’s here to represent the family since they were unable to make it this year.”

I reached for Claire’s offered hand and shook it. I could tell immediately she wasn’t a committee member. Not with the diamonds that draped down her ears, across her neck, and on each wrist. Not to mention the giant rock that sat on her right hand. The woman was covered in thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels, and she had that look about her. The one that said she had more money than she knew what to do with.

“So, you’re the one,” Claire said as she openly looked me up and down with an expression that said she was undressing me in her mind.

“I’m sorry, the one?” I asked.

“In the auction. You’re much more handsome in person. I may have to break the rules and bid on you myself.”

I laughed, but I had a feeling she was serious. I glanced over at Emmerson, and the look she gave Claire should have dropped the woman to the ground. If there was one thing Emmerson didn’t like, it was people who didn’t play by the rules.

“Well, let’s not break any rules tonight,” I stated with an uncomfortable chuckle.

A sinful smile spread over the woman’s face before she leaned in closer to me and said, “Well, unfortunately, when I see something I want, I tend to make it mine. Rules be damned.”

That caused me to jerk my head back at the same time Emmerson huffed, loud enough that Claire looked at her. The woman raised a single brow at Emmerson, but before she could say anything, Emmerson beat her to the punch.

“If you’ll excuse us, Claire, it appears people are starting to arrive. And I see our parents.”

Emmerson nearly ripped my arm out of the socket when she jerked me away from Claire and started to march off.

“We’ll catch up later. I’m sitting at your table!” Claire called out.

I could practically feel Emmerson vibrating with anger. “That little bitch!”

“What?” I asked with a startled laugh.

She took a quick glance over her shoulder at Claire, scowling at the woman.

“Do you not like her?” I asked.

Emmerson’s eyes jerked up to mine. “What?”

“Claire. Do you not like her?”

“Not after tonight, I don’t.”

I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face. Was Emmerson jealous that another woman was showing interest in me?

This night just got a whole helluva lot more interesting.