Chapter 14

14

E merson had made the biggest decision of her life.

She was going to lose her virginity to Ry Blackwood.

He was much different than what she had thought he would be. In her limited experience, a man with such incredible good looks was usually an arrogant jerk who had little substance and wanted his way about everything. Ry didn't have an arrogant bone in his body. He was easy to get along with. Genuine. Caring. She had enjoyed being around him, not only at their Wednesday night dinners, but also working with him, catering wedding receptions.

Ry was that rare person— handsome, intelligent, and kind to everyone around him. During last week's large wedding, two workers from Blackwood BBQ had accompanied him, helping get out all the plates to guests. Ry addressed Carlos and Jose with respect and kindness. Miss Kent had taught Emerson to treat everyone equally, whether they were the President of the United States or a janitor. She had always followed her mentor's advice, and she saw Ry did the same. People were naturally attracted to him because of his charm and friendliness.

She still didn't think the two of them had long-term potential, but she was tired of missing out on things in life. Emerson had spent almost thirty years keeping her feelings inside her, working diligently, never rocking the boat. It was time to live a little.

And that included learning about sex.

She saw how happy her friends were in their marriages and couldn't wait to be an auntie to Harper's baby. Harper and Braden had announced at their recent Wednesday dinner that they were having a boy and would name him Beau, in honor of Braden's late younger brother.

Who knew? She might one day adopt a child and become a mother herself. Emerson believed she had a lot of love to give to a child who was in the foster system, just as she had been.

But first things first. She wanted to experience the thrill of being in Ry Blackwood's arms. Of coming together and enjoying the physical act of love. She knew he was still intrigued by her, which she found absolutely ridiculous. She had to be the most boring person on the planet, and he would soon come to learn that once he got to know her better. Still, she thought he would be a very considerate lover, the right man to introduce her to a world she had never experienced. This was her chance to find out more about herself— with Ry's help.

She reached the event center earlier than usual because tonight would be the largest wedding ever put on by Weddings with Hart. The wedding cake she had baked was seven tiers high, and the groom's cake was the biggest non-wedding cake she had ever undertaken. The bride had been very specific in what she wanted, but the groom told Emerson just to run with whatever she wanted to bake. She had asked him a few questions about his particular interests, and the cake she had created incorporated his love of the outdoors, fishing, in particular.

Parking in the rear of the event center, she got out just as Ry pulled up in the catering van. He got out and greeted her.

"This is going to be a big night," he said.

He was referring to the reception, but his words made Emerson shiver, thinking of what she hoped might occur between them once they were alone at her house.

"It was a little challenging, preparing this much barbeque," he continued. "Carlos and Jose are following me in my dad's truck, bringing all the sides."

"Let me help you start taking things in," she said.

They began unloading the van, with Harper's two assistants coming out to meet them, helping, as well. Jose and Carlos arrived and began toting in huge bins of sides. Harper had different sets of china in the kitchen, which made it easier for Ry or any other caterer to simply transfer food inside the building and have plates delivered straight to guests.

As the others worked, she rolled out the wedding cake, possibly the best one she had ever created. Harper met her and assisted in moving it to the display table.

"Everything going smoothly?" she asked her friend, who seemed a little distracted.

"I think so. This is a big day for us. It's the largest wedding we've ever done."

Finley joined them. "I've gotten all the pre-ceremony shots I need except for shots of these two cakes. Also, Ron asked where you were, Harper, and I told him I thought you were here."

"Hmm. I wonder what he wants," Harper mused. "He's been so agreeable. Unlike his bride. Let me help you get the groom's cake out while Finley takes pictures of the wedding cake."

Once they had the groom's massive cake on display, Emerson saw the groom himself heading toward them.

"Is everything all right?" asked Harper, obviously concerned since most grooms didn't seek her out before the ceremony.

Ron smiled broadly. "You have been a dream to work with, Harper." He glanced to the cakes. "And I can't believe what you came up with, Emerson. If I have any friends getting married in the near future, I'll definitely send them your way." The groom paused. "I do have one favor to ask, however."

Harper gave him her professional smile. "Name it, Ron, and I'll make certain it happens."

"I'd like once the wedding party is seated to begin toasts immediately. Could you have your staff have all the champagne glasses out and filled? I know the maid of honor wants to say something. My best man wants to give a speech. Then I want to address the crowd, too. I need by the time I speak to also have as many of the plates out in front of guests as possible."

Emerson thought the groom's request a bit odd, but she saw Harper smile.

"We can accommodate you, Ron. Thanks for letting us know the schedule you want to keep to."

He gave them an enigmatic smile. "No. Thank you ."

The groom disappeared, and Harper asked, "Did you pick up a weird vibe from him?"

She nodded. "Sounds like he might have some surprise planned."

"Would you let everyone in the kitchen know what Ron wants, Em? I need to get back to the bride and check on a few other things."

"Will do, Harper."

Finley, who'd finished photographing the groom's cake said, "I'll give you a high sign when I've got about two minutes of photos left to take if that'll help."

Emerson went to the kitchen and explained what the groom's instructions were.

"We can start placing filled champagne glasses on the tables right as the photos are concluding. Harper will make certain that everyone starts moving to their seats then. If all of us serve— and she looked to Harper's two assistants, Ry, and the two Blackwood BBQ employees —we should be able to get a good portion of the dinners out in a timely fashion."

The ceremony began. Emerson went to the door of the kitchen and looked out. The setting was beautiful, with the solid glass wall looking out over the vineyard as a backdrop for the ceremony.

She continued to monitor things and signaled Ry when to begin opening the champagne bottles. Flutes were quickly filled, and trays of champagne went out as the pictures commenced and guests moved to the other side of the event center where all the tables were placed, and Dax and his Lone Star Rebel band were setting up to play.

After several minutes, Finley made eye contact with Emerson and held up two fingers, letting her know the wedding party photos were almost completed. Harper had also seen the signal and begin gently steering guests to take their seats.

As the wedding party was announced and moved toward their own designated seats, the servers began bringing out the dinner plates. About a quarter of them were in place by the time the maid of honor finished her brief speech. More than half were in place by the time the best man said his piece, praising the newlyweds and remarking how perfect they were for one another.

They worked quickly, continuing to bring out the rest of the dinners as the groom took the microphone from his best man and stood.

"I want to thank everyone who came to see Ashley and me joined in marriage today. Ashley and I have been together four years now, engaged for the past year, and I really looked forward to our lives together as husband and wife."

He paused and added, "That's not going to happen."

A murmur swept through those seated, and Emerson halted a moment, wondering what was about to come. Her gaze met Ry's. He shrugged and placed another dinner in front of a guest.

As they continued serving, the groom said, "I've known Teddy since we played flag football together. He's been my best buddy since third grade, and we've shared everything. Vacations. Team championships. Jobs. And it seems, Ashley, as well."

Her eyes flew to the bride, who audibly gasped.

The groom smiled at his new wife, and his smile reminded Emerson of the Cheshire Cat's in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland .

"I know you've been banging my best friend for at least the last year, Ashley. You thought you were so clever in covering your tracks, but you're both idiots."

Ron looked to the bride's father, whose face was drained of color, and said, "I learned about this several weeks ago, Mr. Johnson. I know the honorable thing to do would've been to call off the wedding, but I didn't think Ashley would learn any lesson if I did. She's always gotten absolutely everything she's ever wanted. She never thinks of the consequences of her actions. I know she's hurt quite a few people over the years, but I loved her so much that I tried to overlook a lot. Today, I wanted to teach her a lesson she would never forget."

The groom waved his hand expansively. "So, to our family and friends, drink up. Eat up. I've tasted everything from the wines to the food to the cakes, and you're going to have an unbelievable night. The band is waiting in the wings, and I hope most of you stay and dance the night away, until the wee hours of the morning."

He held up his champagne flute. "As for me, I'll be leaving now and filing for an annulment on Monday." Turning to his bride, he added, "I would say best of luck to you, but I could give a rat's ass what you do for the rest of your sorry life."

Downing the champagne, the new—and soon to be ex—husband walked the length of the room and out the doors. The bride shrieked at the top of her lungs and ran out the opposite doors, sobbing hysterically. Her mother and maid of honor followed her. The best man looked stunned, as did most of the guests.

The bride's father motioned Harper over and said something to her. Harper nodded and went to the table where the groom had placed the mike.

She picked it up and said, "Despite how uncomfortable the circumstances are, Mr. Johnson encourages everyone to stay. He would like you to enjoy yourself and not let anything go to waste. Thank you."

Harper then glanced to Dax, who quickly slipped his guitar strap over his head and asked, "Are you ready to rock tonight?"

The band began playing, and the guests looked perplexed for a moment. Then, some of them started eating. One bridesmaid grabbed a groomsman and moved to the dance floor, and several of the younger guests quickly followed. Emerson watched as the best man slunk from the room.

Back in the kitchen, she took a seat at the table. Ry joined her.

"Well, we couldn't have predicted that would happen," he said.

The others also returned, and he told Carlos and Jose they could go home.

Harper entered the kitchen and said, "I can't ever remember anything like that ever happening at any wedding during all the years I worked in Austin. I'm sure it'll be hitting social media soon if it hasn't already."

Emerson said, "I did see a few people taping the speeches with their cells. I hope it won't reflect poorly on Weddings with Hart."

Her friend shook her head. "I doubt it will. In fact, we'll probably get a lot of free publicity from this. What I do know is what happened tonight is going to take the Internet by storm."

Looking to Emerson and Ry, Harper said, "We'll take it from here. Thanks, as always, for doing a lovely job."

Harper left, her assistants trailing after her, and Ry said, "Are you still up for dinner and a movie?"

Emerson was up for much more than that.