EMMA

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke off somewhere along the way.

That was the only thought running through my head as I sat in my bedroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror while getting ready for the wedding.

Behind me, Alycia was working her magic with a curling iron, each twist and release of my hair creating a soothing rhythm that I clung to like a lifeline.

The room was filled with the faint scent of hairspray and perfume, mingling with the soft sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm, hazy glow that almost made me forget the nagging tightness in my chest.

Alycia's fingers moved expertly, turning my hair into perfect waves I could never manage on my own. "You're going to look amazing," she said, pinning a curl into place with a grin. "And Jake's jaw is definitely going to hit the floor."

I tried to smile, but it felt forced, like I was trying too hard to believe it myself. The mention of Jake's name tightened the knot in my stomach, stirring an unease I couldn't quite place.

Sure, the idea of being surrounded by FBI agents at a wedding wasn't exactly calming. But it was more than that—it was something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

What was it?

Vitale was behind bars. Eric and I had been following every update, and we knew the second he was dragged through JFK in cuffs. I should have felt on top of the world—our reckless plan had actually worked. And for the first time in forever, I felt safe.

But instead of celebrating, I felt... hollow. Like something was missing, keeping me from enjoying our hard-earned victory.

The scary truth was that feeling only lifted when Jake called me himself, his voice lighter, the tension I had grown accustomed to hearing since Declan's death finally gone. His relief echoed through the line, and only then did the weight in my chest truly ease.

We had done something huge. We had put a terrible man behind bars. We didn't have to pack up and leave New York, abandoning everything we had built.

And yet... my sense of relief wasn't just about being safe. It was knowing that Jake felt better too, that he could breathe again. And that realization terrified me.

Why did I care so much about Jake's feelings—the same man who was determined to put me behind bars, the one I had been conning, the one I would have to hurt, eventually?

And when had he stopped being just "that FBI agent" in my mind and started becoming just... Jake?

What the hell was wrong with me?

"Aly..." I mumbled, staring at my reflection as if the mirror held answers. "I think I'm finally going mad."

Alycia paused, her hazel eyes meeting mine in the mirror with a look that was both knowing and comforting. "You're not mad, Em. It's just nerves. And maybe a little bit of overthinking. Today's just one day, okay? You're going to be fine."

"What if I don't want to go?" I grimaced. "What if I just want to take a long bath, listen to Taylor Swift, and drown my nerves with a glass of wine?"

"Well, you better enjoy that while it lasts. Because if you keep this up, you're headed straight for your prison chic era."

Alycia and I turned our heads to see Eric standing by the door, his brows knitted in a frown.

"So, when are you planning to cut ties with him?" he continued, his tone sharp.

My heart sank. "Eric, not now."

"No, it's exactly the right time." He crossed his arms, his tone firm but laced with frustration. "Vitale's locked up, the FBI found the painting, and the heat's finally dying down. Why keep pushing your luck, Emma? You've got so much to lose."

My thoughts scattered, searching for an excuse that would sound logical. "I promised him I'd be there. If I bail now, he'll get suspicious. Besides, we don't know how the case is going to unfold yet, and it's just... complicated. Jake's been... helpful. And I don't want to burn any bridges until I know how things will end."

Eric's skeptical gaze pierced through me. "As usual, you keep playing with fire and then act surprised when you get burned," he said, shaking his head. "Emma, for heaven's sake, you've got the MoMA job lined up—that's everything you wanted. You should be focusing on that."

I tried to mask my unease with a shrug. "I can't just cut him off. Not yet. I need to keep things steady until the dust settles. I can't afford to make any rash decisions—especially now."

Alycia squeezed my shoulder gently. "Eric has a point, Em. Just think about it. You're so close to having the life you've always dreamed of."

I turned away from them, my frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. I knew Eric and Alycia's words were coming from a place of concern, but they didn't understand the mess going on inside me.

Every time I thought about walking away from Jake, it felt like ripping out a part of myself I didn't even know I was attached to.

My chest tightened at the thought of never hearing his voice again, never seeing his crooked smile or listening to his stories. How had it gotten to this point?

I kept telling myself that I couldn't be feeling anything for him, that it was impossible. But every time we talked, every laugh we shared, every text about his day—I felt something. And that scared the hell out of me.

I tried to convince myself that it wasn't Jake I was drawn to, but rather the idea of him—someone who saw me without the baggage of my past, who viewed me simply as who I was now.

If circumstances were different—different timing, different lives—maybe we could have been something extraordinary. But the reality was, we were a disaster waiting to happen.

After all, he was the law, and I broke it...

"I'll think about it," I finally managed, forcing the thoughts away. "But right now, I just need to get through this day."

Eric's expression softened, and he nodded. "Just don't forget what's at stake here. You're on the brink of something amazing. Don't let it slip through your fingers because of some messy situation."

I sighed and turned back to the mirror, focusing on my reflection. The dress was perfect, the makeup flawless, but inside, I felt like a jumbled mess.

Eric and Alycia were right to worry, but they had no idea what kept pulling me to Jake.

Trying to change the subject, I fiddled with my earrings. "So, Eric, since you're free tonight, how about you take Aly to dinner? She's looking for a place to rent, and you know the city better than anyone. She's finally got that promotion and will be settling here."

I watched Eric's expression shift as his eyes darted to Alycia, lighting up like he'd just been handed the best news of his life. "Really? You're staying?"

Alycia nodded, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink.

A smile tugged at my lips. They were so obvious, and I couldn't, for the life of me, understand why they hadn't made a move sooner.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? There's this great spot with the best shawarma in town. Let's go." Eric's excitement was contagious, and for a moment, I felt a pang of envy at how simple things seemed for them.

"I'd love that," Alycia said, but then shot me a mischievous grin. "But not before I get a glimpse of Mr. Hot FBI Agent."

Eric rolled his eyes, and I stifled a laugh. I knew he wanted to be nowhere near Jake, but I couldn't help but enjoy watching him squirm.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and I knew it had to be Jake. Alycia rushed to open the door with a grin on her face, while I grabbed my clutch and steeled myself to face him. But before I could leave, Eric stepped in my path, his eyes filled with concern.

"Be careful, Emma," he said softly, his voice a mixture of warning and worry.

I nodded, sharing a silent, understanding look with him. Words felt pointless, so I let the moment linger before slipping out of the room, closing the door behind me to keep Eric out of Jake's sight.

I spotted Jake from behind, his silhouette sharp and confident as he chatted with Alycia.

"Oh, Em's here," Alycia chirped, breaking their conversation.

Jake turned to face me, and for a second, I forgot to breathe. He looked... incredible. His tuxedo fit him like a glove, the crisp lines and dark fabric accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. His hair, usually tousled and effortlessly charming, was styled with a clean, polished look that highlighted his sharp features.

And then there were his eyes—brighter, more vivid than I'd ever seen, almost like they held a secret sparkle meant just for today. He was also clean-shaven, his jawline sharp and defined, giving him a sleek, almost unreal appeal that left me momentarily speechless.

When Jake saw me, his eyes widened in surprise, and a slow smile spread across his face. "You look... incredible," he said softly.

"Thank you," I replied, trying to keep my tone light even as my heart raced. "I had to make sure I looked good as your plus-one." I grinned, attempting to play it cool. "By the way, you clean up nice, Agent Parker."

Jake flashed a grin, and then he said goodbye to Alycia before we left the penthouse. His smile lingered as we rode the elevator down. And as we made our way to the parking garage, I couldn't shake the feeling that Jake had something he wanted to say.

When we reached the car, Jake stopped me before I could open the passenger door. His gaze was soft, and a slightly nervous smile played on his lips.

"I've got something for you," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, delicate corsage that perfectly matched my dress.

My eyes widened, and in that instant, it all clicked—why he had asked about the color I was wearing. I glanced down at my dress, a soft emerald green that moved effortlessly with every step. It was simple and elegant, with thin straps and a backless cut that gave it just enough edge.

Jake rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost shy. "You once told me you never went to prom, so I thought maybe... you could have a little piece of that today."

His voice was so sincere it caught me off guard, and I was overwhelmed by a rush of emotions—too many to name, too tangled to sort out.

"It's beautiful," I managed, my voice softer than I had planned. The corsage was simple and elegant, strapped to a bracelet, so it felt just right and wouldn't be awkward if I wore it all day. I smiled, and Jake chuckled.

"It's cheesy, isn't it?"

"A little," I laughed, "but it's also one of the nicest things anyone's ever done for me." I held out my wrist, still unsure of how to navigate this moment. "Help me put it on?"

His fingers brushed against my skin, warm and gentle, as he slid the bracelet into place. The touch lingered, soft and careful, leaving a warmth that stayed even after he stepped back.

We were close, closer than we should have been, and for a moment, it was just us—him, me, and all the unspoken things that hung in the space between.

Jake stepped back, smiling, and gestured toward his car. "Ready?"

I nodded with a smile, unable to find my voice.

He opened the door for me, every bit the gentleman, and I couldn't help but smile at the playful charm. It was as if he was giving me the royal treatment, and maybe, just for today, I was okay with that.

As we drove toward the wedding, my thoughts were a tangled mess, filled with emotions I couldn't quite pin down. Every glance at Jake seemed to amplify the chaos inside me.

Deep down, I knew I had to keep these feelings under control, or they would be my undoing. And I couldn't let that happen.

Not now. Not ever..