Page 109 of Love Unspoken

Before I could answer I saw Kath walking up to us, all smiles.

"Well, there she is," Grandma sighed deeply.

"Grandma, that's so nice of you to set up Amara with Jax." Kath sounded polite and concerned, but I could hear the annoyance in her tone. She didn't like Amara. I got that. But why did she care who Amara dated?

"Did I set them up?" Grandma said sardonically. "Amara is a good-looking, wonderful woman; I can see why Jax is so interested. It's good timing. He's wanting to settle down."

"With Amara?" Kath scoffed. "Now, Grandma, you know Jax's parents will have a heart attack if they think he's gonna want to have somethin' long-term with someone like Amara."

"What's wrong with her?" Grandma challenged heatedly.

Kath knew she'd fucked up and shrugged. "She's not from our world," she pointed out.

"And what world is that? Earth? Charleston? She's a professor at a reputable school and, according to Bobby, an up-and-coming star in her field. She's well educated. She's intelligent. I think Jax's parents will think their son fell into gold if he can get her to be interested in him." Grandma's tone was diamond sharp.

Snubbed and embarrassed, Kath began, "I just—" but Grandma cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"Lucas, we need to talk about a project I want to do with the Heritage Foundation and LPC," Grandma focused on me, ignoring Kath completely. "My assistant will set up some time on your calendar next week."

She sailed away. After that, Kath looked at me with tears shining in her eyes. "Why is she so angry with me?"

I had no fucking idea.

"She's not," I lied. "I think she's just got a lot going on, especially with this ball."

"You sure?" Kath leaned into me, and I slipped my arms around her.

I kissed her forehead. "Yes."

I wished my mother and sister were there so they could buffer Kath against Grandma. My mother and sister had not been able to make the ball as they were in New York with Flynn for someone's engagement party.

It was becoming apparent to me that even though she hadn't said as much, Grandma liked Amara and had a problem with me dating Kath again. Since my grandmother spoke her mind come hell or high water, I knew that she'd tell me what she thought when I saw her next.

"You okay, sweetie?" Kath asked, sliding her hands up my shoulder to link at my neck. I automatically put my hands on her waist. I wasn't one for PDA, especially when we were out in public. Charleston was a conservative town, and you didn't go around flaunting your partner.

"I'm okay." I rearranged us so my arm was around her, and we weren't all but necking in the middle of a ballroom.

"Let's dance," Kath suggested breathlessly. Something was up with her. I could feel it. There was a desperation about her that hadn't been there five years ago when I was crushed, asking her how she could end us, how she could choose another man over me. Now, she was doing everything she could to make sure that we'd go through with this experiment of trying, once again, to be in a relationship.

"Yes, let's dance," I agreed.

The Magnolia Ball was in full swing, a glittering sea of Charleston's elite swirling around me beneath the grand chandeliers. The orchestra played a waltz that filled the air with an elegance befitting the night, each note as perfectly placed as the magnolia blossoms decorating the tables. The ballroom was a spectacle of luxury, from the gilded mirrors reflecting the twinkling candlelight to the polished marble floors where couples moved in time to the music.

Kath was in my arms, her body pressed close to mine as we glided across the floor. She looked beautiful, as she always did—her sleek blonde hair swept into an elegant chignon, her red dress complementing her fair skin and drawing attention to the sparkle in her blue eyes. But despite the flawless picture we made, she didn't arouse me at all and I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering.

Across the room, just beyond the circle of dancers, Amara stood with Jax. I watched as she laughed at something he said, the sound carrying across the ballroom like a melody of its own. Jax leaned in closer, his eyes locked on hers, clearly captivated. It was a look I recognized all too well—a look I'd worn far too many times when I was with her.

Amara looked lovely. But it was more than surface beauty, she exuded an innate grace that made my breath hitch in my throat. The way she moved, the way she smiled—it hit me hard, knocking the wind out of me.

I couldn't understand myself. I was the one who didn't choose her and yet, here I was, watching her with another man and feeling…jealous?

No. That wasn't possible. I wasn't jealous. I had Kath, the woman I always wanted. But as I turned my gaze back to Kath, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the way her smile faltered just slightly when she noticed where my attention had been.

She was scared; I thought, worried that she was losing me—even before we started. This was the first time I had agreed to go on a date with her since we'd reconnected, and she was clinging to it like a lifeline.

I tightened my grip on her waist, trying to reassure her and convince myself at the same time.

"You're quiet tonight." Kath's voice was low, almost hesitant.