Page 66 of I Want to Know What Love Is

“I know you are Amanda, but that’s not the point. The point is that you’re not alone in this, that you don’t have to do everything yourself, that you have someone who—”

“Who could get me into more trouble than—”

“Than I’m worth?” Nausea turns in my gut and my chest constricts until I think I’ll turn blue. “Give me a chance.” I rasp out, keeping the desperation from my voice.

“Do I have a choice?” she says. “Is there any way I can talk you and your friends into leaving quietly?” She waits a beat. “You can pretend you’re being called away—”

She’s interrupted when a group of people come out a door near us. It’s the wedding party and photographer and they come our way, led by a tall mid-thirties man in a tux who I peg as Gary Ludwick himself. Mainly because he has a beautiful young bride on his arm.

“Mandy,” he says, a superficial smile on his overly buffed face. He looks like he spent a week too long at the spa and they worked all the humanity out of him. “Who is this young gentleman? I didn’t see you with anyone at the ceremony.” He raises his eyebrows, implying all kinds of shit with the look and the nasty tone of his voice. I don’t like the way he’s playing, especially when I feel Mandy stiffen and hear the sharp intake of her breath.

“I’m Dylan. Her date—more than that. I’m her lover. Does that answer your question?” I use the opposite tone of voice from his. No sugary coating, real and gritty and confrontational without mistake. She stirs and touches my arm.

“It’s okay Dylan,” she whispers.

“Well, Dylan. You’ve answered the question about whether or not you have manners.”

I snort. I can’t help it because he’s a parody of a human being. His bride nudges him.

“Nice to meet you Amanda and Dylan.” The bride extends a hand and I believe her gracious words. She smiles as she studies Amanda for an extra beat. “You’re both very welcome to celebrate our wedding. I appreciate your coming.” She takes her new husband’s hand and the party moves off. A couple of the bridesmaids throw me flirtatious smiles. A couple of the groomsmen nod at Amanda like they know her, like they’re apologetic. They look at me with bald curiosity. I can accept that.

When they turn the corner and disappear, Amanda expels a long breath and what sounds like a naughty word, but then she’s not shy about swearing having spent plenty of time around locker rooms. Seems women’s locker rooms aren’t too different than the male counterparts.

“Well that was painful,” she says.

“I thought it went very well.”

“I meant for Gary, not us.” She smiles and shakes her head. “Okay. You can stay. But no talking to Gary. You had your say just now.”

“Can’t promise that, Mandy. It all depends on how he behaves. Has he apologized yet?”

“I told you—”

“I don’t mean for jilting you—sorry, I didn’t mean… shit.”

“It’s fine. I’m not that fragile.” Her eyes tell a different story, but I keep that to myself. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, did he apologize for blackmailing you into attending his wedding?”

“No. He did better. He groveled.” She smiles. “I honestly feel good about this, like I have the upper hand.”

“You’re the better person. No doubt about that.” But my sense of justice—okay, maybe it’s all about vengeance—won’t let it rest.

“But?”

“What?”

“I sense there’s a but, like me handling this in my own high-road way isn’t enough for you?”

“You’re more than enough for me.” I trail a finger down her jawline to the pulse in her neck and satisfaction floods me as it quickens. She bats my hand away and I laugh.

“No acting when there’s no audience.”

“This isn’t an act.” I smile, but then I take a breath at the wary look in those golden eyes. “And you know it.”

“Let’s go. We need to eat dinner and then—”

“And then light up the dance floor.” She laughs, but I have a feeling she still has some fight in her, that she’ll need some convincing. And isn’t that part of what I love about her? What I can’t get enough of? She ignites something in me and inspires me, the way she forges on, her bravery and her smile. And that signature sass that makes me combust with desire every time she dishes it out.