Book 1: Chapter 3
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Damien watched the interaction between his father and Amelia from his seat at the bar. Although Damien had only recently connected with his father, he knew almost everyone in his tight knit circle, and that didn’t include the young woman laughing at something he had said. Amelia was closer to his family than he had thought, and it became evident when his father placed a few large bills inside her hand and closed it inside his.
Amella’s laughter died in her throat when she realized what he had done. She tried to pull away, but he kept a firm grip on her. Calvin, I can’t accept this.
You can, he insisted. Although they were no longer laughing, he was still smiling encouragingly at her. Your mom told me that you were having a difficult time.
I wish she wouldn’t tell you things like that. I’m doing very well for myself.
I don’t doubt that for a second, he replied. But please accept this as a gift for missing all those birthdays. Wes doesn’t bring you around anymore, and after the divorce, it’s been lonely.
She tried to smile, but it faltered as he released her. Thank you, and I’m sorry about Harper. should have come to see you.
Don’t be silly, he said, shaking his head dismissively. We were unhappy for a long time.
I never would have guessed.
I
Parents tend to not burden their children with their marital problems. You were no exception.
The corners of her lips lifted, and this time, a smile successfully graced her face. You and Harper
that. never treated me any differently than Wes. I’ll always appreciate
I always considered you as part of our family, he told her. Between the two of us, I was disappointed when he showed up to the house with Brooke a month ago and asked for his mother’s
ring.
Amelia looked down at the carpet and rolled her lips together, unsure how to respond to that information. Fortunately, Damien had abandoned his drink at the bar and appeared in front of them, saving her from an awkward conversation.
There you are, he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. You disappeared on me again.
Calvin raised a brow at his son. You’ve met?
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Amelia nodded. She was uncomfortable with Damien’s arm around her, but she didn’t let it show. He told me where I could find you.
I’m glad he’s looking out for you, Calvin told her, although he never moved his eyes off his son. Anyway, dinner will be served soon. We should make our way over there.
We’ll be righ
right there, she said, gesturing in the direction of the dining room. She waited until Calvin had disappeared into the next room to deeply exhale. While I appreciate you stepping in, I didn’t need you rescuing me.
Damien smiled. I’m flattered that you think of me as so heroic, but I didn’t do that for you.
She furrowed her brows, expressing her confusion. Then why’d you come over here?
Before he could answer, Wes cleared his throat. He was standing in the threshold of the living room and the hallway, examining the lack of distance between his brother and friend.
Am I Interrupting? he asked no one in particular.
Amelia quickly shook her head and moved toward him. We were just about to join everyone else at
the table.
Wes hummed, unconvinced, but he let Amelia pass him and then approached his brother who hadn’t moved yet from his position. What are you doing?
Damien shrugged. I was just making conversation with your friend. Calvin loves her. You love her. I can see why.
What are you getting at?
Damien narrowed his eyes. She’s very sweet, Wes. I’d hate to think my little brother would take advantage of that..
Whatever you have in your head is wrong. Wes told his brother. Lia and I have always been friends, and that’s not changing.
Wes, will you please hurry? Brooke called from the other room. Despite the chattering of guests, she had somehow managed to trump all the noise. Everyone’s waiting for you.
Taking his cue to leave, Wes wordlessly turned out of the living room and made his way across the hall. The guests had already claimed their seats at the table. Amelia had taken off her jacket and hung it over her chair between the last two unoccupied seats, and without thinking twice, he took the one on her left that seated him directly across from Brooke.
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her left that seated him directly across from Brooke.
She was laughing with Laura and Stevie, two of Brooke’s closest friends, which Wes could tell bothered Amella by the quiet sigh she emitted, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she pulled out her phone from inside her pocket and began scrolling through it to distract herself.
As she composed a text to Lily, Damien entered the dining room and claimed the last empty seat. Amelia could feel his heavy gaze on her as he sat in the chair beside her, but no words were exchanged, only a light chuckle.
She briefly glanced at him and turned her phone over when she noticed that he had been shamelessly looking at the screen.
If you wanted to get out of here, I would have made that happen back there, he whispered.
Amelia tucked her phone away and clicked her tongue. There is such a thing as privacy.
I’m sorry for invading yours and for making you uncomfortable.
She blinked hard, surprised by the apology, but she wasn’t allowed to reply because Brooke had stood up from her chair and was tapping a fork against her glass.
Can I have everyone’s attention? she asked the guests around the table. When all eyes moved onto her, she set her glass and utensil down. Wes and I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate our engagement. We were going to wait to announce it, but I just couldn’t keep it in long enough. So, I’d like to take this time to thank my best friend.
Laura and Stevie sat up in their seats, anticipating the moment Brooke would call on them. But she never did. Instead, she raised her glass to Amelia and touched a hand over her heart.
Amelia has graciously accepted the role as maid of honor, she told the table. And I couldn’t be happier to have my best friend and the woman I call my sister by my side.
Laura rolled her eyes, which didn’t go unnoticed by Amelia, but she chose to ignore it and raised her glass to Brooke’s.
Thank you, she mouthed to her friend before taking their first sip of wine together.
I know everyone is eager for dinner, but I’d like for Wes to say a few words, Brooke sald, gesturing
to her fiancé.
Wes looked at the expectant guests and then reluctantly stood, Brooke and I appreciate all of you showing up
for us tonight. I’d introduce the best man if he were here, but unfortunately, Freddie couldn’t land in time to join us.
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The mention of Freddie’s name must have taken Amelia by surprise because her grip slipped from her wine glass. She gasped when she felt the cool liquid spill over her lap, soaking her dress.
That’s your maid of honor, Stevie murmured, lifting her drink to her lips.
Laura laughed, but Brooke only smacked her lips at them.
Upon noticing the discomfort on her face, Damien removed his jacket and draped it over Amelia’s lap. I’ll take you to get cleaned up.
Please, she’s my guest, Wes said to his brother. Before Amelia could protest, he pulled her out of
her seat.
The guests wa
with curious gazes as Wes took her out of the dining room. As they entered the hallway, Brooke began speaking again to those at the table, distracting them from the scene Amelia had created.
Are you okay? Wes asked once he was inside the bathroom with her.
Amelia contemplated telling him the truth, but when she saw the concerned look in his eyes, she nodded. I guess I never outgrew that clumsy part of me.
Wes smiled. I’ve always thought it was very cute.
I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.
He laughed and shook his head at her. It wasn’t a very good one. Wait here, and I’ll grab something from Brooke’s closet for you.
That’s probably not a good idea, she told him. The last thing Brooke is willing to share are her clothes.
Lia, you can’t sit in a wet dress all night.
I’ve done worse.
He crossed his arms over his chest and propped himself against the doorframe, raising a brow. You have?
She nodded. She had to look away as she continued to explain herself. I sat in a dress that I hated all night after some boy stood me up. Crazily enough, my best friend watched me cry over him for hours.
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Wes dropped his arms and glanced out Into the hall. When he confirmed that no one was around, he shut the bathroom door and looked at Amella’s reflection in the mirror. She wouldn’t meet his gaze, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t read the solemn look on her face.
Lla, you know I’d never intentionally hurt you, he softly spoke. He wanted to cup her delicate face in his hands and turn her to him, but he kept them firmly by his side. I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you
about this first.
There’s a lot we don’t talk about anymore, she said, shrugging. I didn’t even know that you two were still friends.
I was upset about Freddie standing you up, he admitted. He was relieved when she finally did look up at him in the mirror, but the look of betrayal only made it more difficult to continue speaking. He did, nevertheless. It took me a long time to forgive him for playing with your emotions, but he was like a
brother to me.
And all along you had one that you never thought to mention.
Wes sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. I didn’t know about Damien until a couple years ago, but by then, you and I were hardly speaking. I can’t even remember the last time I got to ask about you. Can you?
Amelia shook her head to answer and then turned to him. Even as she faced him, she continued to look down at the floor. I can’t, but it’s not your job to ask.
Of course it is, Lia. I know I haven’t been the greatest friend, so I’d like to make it up to you.
How?
Tomorrow night, let’s grab dinner together and I’ll tell you everything that’s been going on in my life, he suggested. This made her smile, and he felt just the slightest bit of pride when she met his gaze. Just the two of us like old times.
Brooke would be ok with that? she questioned him.
I don’t see why not..
Finally, he relented to his desires and captured her face in his hand. She knew it was wrong somehow to allow him to touch her, but at that moment, she didn’t care.
Then let’s do it, she said, grinning. Dinner’s on me.
Wes laughed. We’ll see about that.
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