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Nate did not understand why the teacher would think so. He’d made himself clear he did not bring women to weddings—at least not usually. Amelia was different. She didn’t ask him questions about where their relationship was headed.
Wait, why didn’t she? Nate sat up straight. Sure she’d only been in town for a week now, but she was getting used to the idea, right? What if she left? Where would she go? Did they need to have the talk about where this relationship was heading? No, he refused to have it. And why not? A voice nagged at him. Because once they had the talk, things became complicated. Things always became complicated when he had “the talk” with women he dated. His biggest focus now was his nieces. The women he’d met so far were quick to want to start a family with him and play mother to Philly and Kimber. Before moving to Southwood, women tried to acknowledge him on their social media pages as their boyfriend or significant other, thus bringing in more drama for him from the others he dated.
He did not do complicated.
* * *
Despite the ridiculously high heels Lexi and Cay had talked her into wearing, Amelia coasted into the women’s bathroom on cloud nine. The moment the doors closed, the music ceased and after that episode in the VIP room, Amelia’s heartbeat echoed even louder in her ears.
“So what music were the two of you listening to up there?” Cay teased, adjusting the level of her voice.
“We practically had to use a machete to cut through all the sexual tension between you and Nate,” added Lexi.
Amelia missed moments like this—not like she experienced them herself. In her years as a young producer, she’d captured the moments of camaraderie of young ladies gushing over guys. Amelia never expected to be the subject of such a topic. “Hush,” she told them.
“Check out the grin.” Cay elbowed Lexi, her new bestie. It comforted Amelia knowing Cay had gained a new friend. Lexi had already talked Cay into bringing her kids to a pageant. At least when Amelia went back to work Cay had someone to turn to. “I haven’t seen her grin since she packed up her bags and left town.”
Ignoring the two of them, Amelia reached in her pocket for her favorite strawberry lip gloss. Despite the makeover Lexi and Cay had talked her into today, she still recognized herself a bit. She hardly ever got the chance to wear her hair loose and free. Lexi must have amped up Amelia’s shoulder-length hair with sex appeal. Men never turned to take a second look at her, and yet tonight she’d been swarmed by single guys asking her to dance. For once, she felt glamorous and wondered if this was what Natalia went through on a daily basis.
Perhaps her newfound confidence had brought on her sexual energy upstairs with Nate. Nate being as hot as he was helped fuel the flames. Who knew not seeing him for a full day would spark such desire? Maybe she did need to get laid again. Didn’t Natalia always tell her such crude stuff?
“You saw me grinning in the rearview mirror when I left town.” Amelia side-eyed her cousin in the refection in the mirror. Using her pinky finger, she swiped the extra bit of gloss off the bottom center of her lip and the divot of her cupid’s bow. “And as soon as Grandmamma is well, I’ll show you the same grin again.”
“Amelia,” Cay scolded.
Lexi stood in front of the mirror and pretended to fuss with her blond hair. “You’re not leaving any time soon, are you?”
“She was ordered a mandatory month off to take care of our grandmother,” Cay explained. “She’s been here a week.”
“Good.” Lexi beamed. “That gives us three more weeks to convince her to stay.”
In the reflection Amelia also watched the center stall door open. Irritation replaced her bliss. Amelia rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. So far tonight she was having a good time.
“Amelia.” Brittany Foley gave her reflection a curt, chilly n
od.
“Brittany.” Amelia returned the icy stare.
Lexi cut the tension by clearing her throat, as if with an imaginary machete. “Brittany, what a surprise to run into you tonight.”
“Really, Lexi?” Brittany snapped. “I told you on the first day of school I’d be attending all of Emily’s events. She was my best friend, after all. I’m the one who’s been by her side after everything. I recall telling you today at the bridal shower hosted by Emily’s mother I’d see you tonight.”
The jab was meant to cut Amelia but at the moment she didn’t care. She turned and faced her alleged opponent. “Let’s cut to the chase, Brittany.”
“Let’s.” Brittany folded her arms across her flat chest. The flowery dress she wore with a pair of white sandals did nothing for her figure. The church mouse act didn’t fool Amelia one bit.
Some of the women already in line for the bathroom turned around to leave. The last thing Amelia wanted to do was to cause a scene at Emily’s event. In the years of following women around, especially after they’d been drinking, Amelia had witnessed a loss of common sense in women and a false sense of bravado.
“You’re upset because I’m back in town and you fear there’s something going on between me and Nate?”
Taken aback by Amelia’s bluntness, Brittany stuttered to find her words. “Nate and I are working on things.”
A week ago, Amelia may have believed such a thing but not anymore. “I’m sorry to interrupt your plans, Brittany, I really am. But I am not in town for some competition.”
“Why exactly are you back?”
“Brittany,” Cay interjected. “Let’s not hash out things here in the women’s bathroom. Not tonight.”
