Emily stared at two shirtless Kent brothers. Panic pounded in the lower pit of her gut, just like how she felt at the beginning of a trial. Granted, she was good by the end, maybe even great. The beginning was the hardest, the most unsure.

Noting the confusion on Tom’s face, she kept talking. “I don’t want to be that person, ya know. The pathetic loser everyone gives sad looks to and feels bad for. The one who makes excuses as to why she’s the only one there by herself.”

The lines around Tom’s eyes creased, but he didn’t say anything. That was Tom’s way. He had to think before he spoke. The exact opposite of her.

Even after ten years, she realized, she knew Tom’s ways. After all, they’d known each other since they were seven. They’d been thick as thieves, and she’d memorized every part and expression of his face.

The thing she’d hated about Tom was—well, hate was a strong word—the thing that annoyed her most about Tom was that he didn’t commit to things lightly. Naturally, he would want to think about it.

She was sure that he was an amazing firefighter because of the same thing. He was good in a crisis, knew just what to do when the building was burning or blood was gushing, but he had to process things that mattered. Tom hadn’t been a great debater. She’d often teased him when they’d done verbal sparring that he paused too long. He weighed the facts carefully before attacking. Of course, she wouldn’t mention it; she wouldn’t tease him or point it out. After all, he wasn’t still her Tom. She had no right to assume anything.

Will opened his arms. “Emmy Schmemmy?”

It was a stupid nickname that she’d found endlessly annoying, but seeing him made her smile. All the tension drained out of her. “Hey, Will.”

Before she knew it, picked her up in a bear hug and bounced her around. “Emmy Schmemmy!”

Laughing, she slugged him in the shoulder when he put her down. “I hate you!”

He laughed too, and she noticed Tom was grinning.

The endearing thing about Will was that even when her family had sought him out after the game last Christmas, he’d acted the same way, bear hugging her and her sister and even little Elliot. That was just how Will was.

Pulling back, Will gave her a mildly accusing look. “You see Tom this morning, and you rushed right over to see me?” He winked at her.

She flushed because she was sure he’d heard her ask the question she’d just asked Tom, and from the coy look on his face—no, not coy, the smug look on his face—she was sure Tom had told him why she was alone at this wedding.

Will winked at her and put his hand out. “I’m sorry to hear about everything, Em.” It was kind and sincere, and if she wasn’t careful, she would cry. Man, being around Tom and Will was like being around family.

She took his hand briefly and then pulled it back. “Thanks.”

He flexed for her. “I know the real story, though. You just couldn’t stay away from the guns, huh?”

She laughed again. Glancing at Tom, she saw the side of his lip was turned up, and he gave his brother a pointed look.

Will pushed his shoulders back and bumped Tom’s shoulder as he headed into the hotel room. “Come on in. I’m glad you’re here, because it turns out I have to go back to Denver right now.”

Once Emily had walked in, Tom demanded Will “What do you mean, you have to go back?”

Will gave a mock sad look and moved into one of the rooms, hollering, “Turns out my coach wants me back for some charity thing.” Pulling out of the room for a sec, he winked at Emily. “It’s for a good cause. The children’s hospital in Denver. Coach needs a couple of players to fill some seats. Bosses suck, but what can you do?”

“Hey!” Tom followed Will to the door. “Are you kidding me?”

“Wish I was, bro. But them are the biscuits you’re given sometimes.”

Emily’s heart pounded. She knew Will was doing this so Tom would be on his own.

Tom flashed her a fake smile. “Sorry, just a sec.” He followed Will in and shut the door behind him.

What was she doing? She couldn’t hear what Tom and Will were saying, but she knew they were fighting. Dang. It hadn’t been her intention to wreck their trip. Tom’s trip.

Doubt wove through her. Why had she listened to Trina? Trina had called her and insisted she go ask Tom. But why would he want to be her date? That was stupid, right? Just stupid. Dang it. Unable to stand there another minute, she rushed out the door and jetted down the hallway. This was a horrible idea.

She skipped the elevator and opted for the stairs, booking it up to the fifth floor, and cursed herself. She’d just told Tom how much she regretted everything, told him she was mad at him for not coming after her. And then she asked him out? Man! How could she have done that? Pushing her card into her room slot, she rushed in and closed the door behind her. Stupid, stupid idea. Why had she listened to her sister? Ack!

She paced the room for a few moments, then rushed to go shower. As the hot water assaulted her, she decided she would just face facts. She would go stag to the wedding, and she would forget she had run into Tom Kent.