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AMELIA
Austin is standing inside the grand foyer beside a small black suitcase.
His hands are crossed beneath his muscular chest, wearing his favorite Dodgers shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. The muscles around his face are tight; the color of his eyes a darker shade than the normally warm hazel I’ve always loved. His gaze darts back and forth between Will and me, but his silence is the eerie calm before the storm.
Fuck.
I purposely stand in the middle, not sure how this will go down. Austin knew of my relationship with Will but never asked for details. I narrowed it down to being a guy thing. The less they knew, the better.
But Austin isn’t the person I am worried about—it’s Will.
Will’s ego and confidence led him to become Mr. Billionaire CEO. He is every woman’s erotic fantasy, according to millions of women online who follow his social media page. Yet part of his so-called alpha trait is jealousy.
I’ve seen it in the past, watched Will react on his heightened emotions because of another man. I remember Liesel mentioning how “hot” it was, only for me to burst her sick bubble. It might be hot to read about in books, but real life is a whole other story.
On several occasions over the last day, he has brought attention to my engagement ring. But it’s one thing to bring it up in conversation, and another to see the man standing across from you. We’ve come so far this morning to ease the tension between us, and I know Austin being here will push him over the edge.
Will is not a forgiving man, much like my own father.
I want nothing more than to click my fingers and disappear, but I have no choice but to own the situation. I am the common dominator; all of this being my fault. I should have told Austin the truth, and I shouldn’t have gone to breakfast with Will either.
Eric’s annoyingly high-pitched voice replays in my head. “Deja vu. It’s the Lex, Charlie, and Julian love triangle all over again.”
It’s not a love triangle, I repeat. It’s merely an unfortunate situation I allowed to happen because I make poor decisions.
Stupid, careless decisions—because I can’t seem to let go.
I take a deep breath, finding the courage to get this over and done with, yet the more I procrastinate, the more panic overcomes me until I beg with my eyes for Ava to help.
“Austin, you remember Will, don’t you? He’s our cousin,” Ava assures him, rushing through her words. “It’s his dad’s birthday which is why we’re all here.”
Neither one extends their hands to greet each other, and I dart my eyes back to Ava for a lifejacket.
“I believe you are not actually related?” Austin questions in an arctic tone.
Will’s wide stance is followed with a scoff, yet he keeps his opinion at bay, not entertaining Austin’s comment.
“Um yeah, I guess if you’re getting technical.” Ava shrugs half-heartedly. “It’s great you’re here, though, last-minute like Will. The more, the merrier. Anyway, Will and I are heading out to the pool because Will and Gigi…well, I guess I’ll keep the gossip to myself.”
Her comment stirs jealousy, but I control my mannerisms in front of Austin to act calm and collected. Ava grabs Will’s arm, but his expression is less than pleased as he clenches his teeth with a deliberate head tilt. Inside Ava’s grip, he doesn’t move until she coerces him, and he finally leaves the room with her.
Austin watches me furtively, his arms still crossed with a cold stare creating tension between us. I prepare myself for what he is about to ask, unsure how to untangle myself from the mess I’ve made.
“You didn’t tell me he was back from London?”
“I only recently found out.”
“How recently?” he grits.
“I dunno, like a few weeks?” I answer flatly before I shift my gaze toward him. “I didn’t feel the need to bring it up. Just because he’s back doesn
’t mean we have anything to do with each other anymore.”
“Well, you do,” Austin jeers with a pinched expression, his eyes narrowing at me. “He’s here.”
“As Ava said, he arrived yesterday.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it to me?”
