She took a few hesitant steps into the room, not speaking at all. She looked amazing today. There was a glow about her that lured his gaze to travel over her body, admiring the fit of her sweater dress. The dark purple tunic was gathered beneath her ample breasts and flowed to her knee. She was wearing black leggings and boots with it that enhanced her shapely legs.
The deep V of the dress’s neckline displayed an amethyst pendant he’d sent her for her birthday. The fat teardrop gemstone fell just at her cleavage, drawing his eyes to her breasts. Amelia was petite in many ways, but the Lord had blessed her with enough assets for three women.
He knew he shouldn’t look, but the memories of their wedding night rushed into his brain, and he couldn’t turn away. In an instant, he could see her naked body sprawled across the hotel bed. His palms tingled with the memory of running his hands over every inch of her flawless porcelain skin. Tasting those breasts. Hearing her cries echo through the room.
The lobby was suddenly very warm. It was a cruel trick of the fates to give him a woman so desirable for a wife, then not let him keep her. And he couldn’t keep her. He had to remind himself of that. They’d only disappoint one another and ruin their friendship.
“Hey, Ames,” he said, finally meeting her gaze.
She swallowed hard, watching him warily. With her big dark brown eyes, she almost looked like a doe, easily spooked by any sudden movements. He hated that. She’d never looked at him with anything other than adoration and love before. He supposed getting married had ruined that. This was just his first taste of what it would be like to be in a real relationship with his demanding, high-maintenance best friend. The honeymoon was barely over and he was already in trouble. He definitely shouldn’t have waited this long to talk to her.
“What are you doing here, Tyler?”
Apparently they were skipping the pleasantries. “I came to talk to you.”
Her arms crossed over her chest, her breasts nearly spilling from the dress with the movement. “Now you want to talk? What about the past few weeks when I’ve tried to get hold of you and you just blew me off? When I wanted to talk to you, all this didn’t seem to matter. Am I just supposed to drop everything to talk to you now because you’ve decided you’re ready to deal with this mess?”
Tyler’s lips twisted in thought, his hand rubbing over the rough stubble on his chin. Now did not seem like the time to try to convince her it wasn’t a big deal. She had always been a very emotional person, her temper as easily lit as the flames of her red hair. He’d seen her unleash that fury on past boyfriends and he didn’t ever want to be the recipient. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back with you. I needed to take care of a few things.”
“And I needed you to talk to me!” She took several steps toward him, a strand of auburn hair falling from its clip to frame her face. A red flush rushed to her cheeks and décolletage, marring her pale, creamy skin. “We’re married, Tyler. Married! You can’t just keep ignoring this. As much as I’d like to pretend this never happened, we’ve got to deal with it. Talk about it. Of all the times to ignore me for business, this is the wrong time.”
“I know.” He held out his hands in an appeasing gesture. It hurt him to hear how distraught she was over their situation, but there was nothing to be done. Business was a priority over a fake marriage, even with his best friend. “I should’ve called, I know. I’m sorry. I hopped a flight out here as soon as I could so we could deal with this in person.”
That seemed to calm her down. Her hands fell to her sides, the tension in her shoulders relaxing. Even then, there was a concern lining her eyes. Something was wrong. More than just her irritation with him. He knew Amelia better than anyone else on the planet. A thousand miles apart, he could detect that she was upset over the phone. In person, it was hard to ignore that something wasn’t right.
She crossed her arms over her chest, and he noticed she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. He could feel his own wedding band encircling his finger. He didn’t know why, but he’d worn it faithfully since the ceremony. Somehow it felt tighter and more irritating when he knew he was the only one wearing it. “Where’s your ring?” he asked.
“It’s at home in my jewelry box. Until five minutes ago, no one knew I was married, Tyler. I can’t strut around here with that giant rock on my hand and not get a million questions.”
She was right about that. Subtlety was thrown out the window after you moved past a couple carats. Her ring was a flawless eight-carat D-color cushion-cut diamond. He’d purchased it a few weeks before the reunion and had been taking it, and a selection of other jewels, with him to LA for a potential buyer. The reunion had only been possible because he could fit it in on his way. When they’d scrambled for last-minute wedding rings, he’d pulled it from the hotel vault. They’d agreed that when the prank was done, she’d return it.
“I’ve wanted to keep this whole situation pretty quiet,” she continued. “The fewer people that know, the better. What’s an adventure to us is a ridiculous mistake to others.”
That was probably true. He slipped his own ring off and dropped it into his lapel pocket, noting how his finger suddenly felt naked. It was amazing how easily he’d adjusted to wearing that ring. He’d only gotten close to putting one on the one time, years ago, and since then he hadn’t given much thought to it. “Is there any way we can go somewhere to talk?” He glanced down at his watch. “It’s still early. I’ll take you out for pancakes, my treat.”
Her face fell into another frown, this time with her delicate brow furrowing. “I can’t right now, Tyler. I’m supposed to be in a staff meeting. You may be able to work whenever and wherever you want, but I’m not a jewel dealer that zips around the country whenever I please. I run a business with partners that count on me. And on
Mondays, we have a standing meeting.”
“I’m sure they’d understand. Come on, Ames. It will be like senior ditch day all over again. We can have eggs and sausage and pancakes. Maple syrup. I caught a dawn flight from LaGuardia and came straight here without eating anything. I’m starving.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then widened with a touch of concern. Her free hand flew to her mouth. “Shut up about the food,” she said.
“What?” What did he say that was so offensive? Breakfast was hardly an unpleasant concept.
“I said, shut up, please.” Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut, her muscles tense as she fought for control. It concerned him. He wanted to run to her, do something, but he didn’t think the gesture would be welcome.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and seemed to recover. “I can’t talk to you right now, Tyler. You just show up out of the blue with no thought to my schedule. I’m not fifteen anymore. I will meet with you, but you’ve got to respect the plans I have. I can meet you for lunch if you want.”
He nodded, knowing she was right. His schedule was flexible, but to assume the same of hers was inconsiderate. “Whatever you need to do, Ames. I’ll take you for barbecue, if you want. I haven’t had some good ribs in a long time.”
She started to nod, then froze as a look of panic spread across her face. “I—” she began, then turned on her heel and dashed around the corner.
Tyler started to follow her but stopped when he heard the unpleasant sound of retching. Apparently barbecue was not terribly appealing to her.
She returned a moment later, her face flushed and her eyes watery. “I’m sorry about that.”
Why was she apologizing? “Are you okay? Did you eat something bad?”