Page 172 of Love Unspoken

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think, as an African American woman, I'd do better in California or New York? Maybe Chicago?"

"Our Chancellor is a woman of color, Gemma. No matter where you are, there are inevitable struggles in academia and the corporate world. I'm not going to pretend discrimination doesn't exist at our university—it does. But with professors like us, we're driving change. Young women look at us and see that one day, they could have our jobs."

Gemma sighed and thanked Ritchie when he set a fresh drink in front of her.

"I just feel like shit today. I'm tired of constantly being in conflict with this asshole."

"Can't blame you there." I put a hand on her shoulder. "But hey, at least you're not giving up. That's more than most people can say."

"Let's hope I have something to show for it."

I was about to respond when the bar's door swung open, letting in a blast of cool evening air and two women I'd been hoping to avoid.

Kath and Shelby made their way to the bar, all sharp heels and sharper looks, and I felt my stomach tighten involuntarily.

Everyone knew everyone at Magnolia's and that familiarity could either be a blessing or a curse. Tonight, it was the latter. I looked at my watch and moaned inwardly because Lucas, Basil, and the others wouldn't be here for another half hour, which was when our dinner reservation was for.

Kath's eyes zeroed in on me almost immediately, and she nudged Shelby as they made their way toward us. Kath was in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, and Shelby was in an equally chic outfit. They looked like they'd just stepped out of a high-fashion magazine spread, but I knew better than to be impressed. I knew what was beneath the glossy exterior.

"Amara, Gemma," Kath greeted us, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she leaned against the bar. "How lovely to see you here."

Shelby snickered, her eyes narrowing as she glanced between us. "Didn't expect to run into you two."

"Funny," Gemma shot back, her tone biting. "We could say the same thing."

Kath's smile didn't reach her eyes as she looked me in the eye. "So, Amara, how's life? Still, playing with Jax? Or have you moved on to something more…in your league?"

"Or someone more in her league," Shelby quipped.

"Christ, you both are like mean girls from high school," Gemma snapped. "Seriously? Grow the fuck up."

Kath glared at Gemma.

"Get going, ladies; we're not interested in chit-chatting with you." I waved a hand at them as if they were wild animals I was shooing away.

Kath's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly covered it with a tight-lipped smile. "Amara, I pity you. No matter how much you pine after Lucas, you'll never have him. He's a Covington—and he's mine."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I picked up my glass and raised it in a mock toast.

They were hoping for a showdown, hoping I'd get upset. But the truth was, they were just behaving like mean girls, exactly as Gemma had pointed out. And I realized, with a sudden sense of calm, that they didn't bother me. For the first time since meeting Lucas, I felt completely secure about him and about us. I trusted him. He wasn't going anywhere except my bed.

Shelby scoffed, clearly unimpressed, but there was a hint of unease in her eyes. "You're out of your depth with Lucas."

"Maybe," I replied nonchalantly. "But at least I'm not drowning in my bitterness."

Gemma grinned at Shelby. "I hear that Flynn is sleeping with his tennis coach. How do you stand all that infidelity?"

"Shut up," Shelby choked out. "He's not."

"He is." Gemma was enjoying the show, especially since she'd been telling me to fight back when Lucas's family and friends behaved poorly.

Kath's expression hardened. "You bitch! Well, we'll see how long that confidence lasts. I doubt Lucas will be around to catch you when you fall."

I smiled a slow, satisfied smile that made Kath's eyes narrow. "I'm not the one who needs catching, Kath. Maybe you should think about who's really standing on shaky ground."

"Kath, Shelby," Lucas spoke softly.