CHAPTER SEVEN

AMELIA

The second Nathan leaves, Jules slips inside and perches on the edge of my desk. Her fiery red curls tumble over her shoulders as she leans forward, eyes wide.

“What did he want? What happened?”

I shake my head and trace abstract patterns on the glass surface of my desk. “He wants to talk. I’m meeting him for lunch.” The words taste bitter, admitting the inevitable. “Why bother?”

She tilts her head and studies me with that knowing intensity. “Maybe he can tell you why he cheated?”

I snort. “I don’t care why he did it. It won’t change anything.”

A restless energy propels me to my feet. The soft carpet muffles my steps as I pace the room. Jules’s next question stops me and quickens my pulse.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t tell him about Dylan?”

I whirl to face her, scared but determined. “He can’t find out.” That’s something I’ve repeated to myself over and over “I don’t know what he’d do if he found out. I can’t lose my son.”

Her lips tighten into a straight line. “Okay. You’re right. A guy like him, with all that money…”

She trails off, leaving the unspoken threat to linger between us. I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

“Can we get some work done?”

She knows I can’t talk about this anymore and jumps right in, listing the details of our upcoming events. The familiar rhythm of work calms me and provides a much-needed distraction. We focus on a corporate event––smaller than last night’s, but still important. There are also three weddings in the works, each demanding attention.

The flurry of tasks keeps me from thinking about Nathan. But soon enough, the alarm on my phone chimes, reminding me of the lunch meeting I’ve been dreading. I don’t want to go, but I also don’t want him showing up here again, disrupting my life.

I grab my purse and head out. As I pass Nancy’s desk, she glances up.

“I’m going to lunch,” I say, feeling the strain in my voice.

“Okay.”

Jules catches my eye as I reach the door and gives me a thumbs-up and a sympathetic smile. I respond by rolling my eyes, finding a hint of humor in the situation.

The short walk to Kelly’s Café is warm under the Texas sun, and the heat presses down on my shoulders.

When I enter, Nathan is seated by the window, and his eyes lock on mine. I slide into the chair across from him, the cool vinyl sending a shiver up my spine.

A familiar waitress approaches with a bright smile. “Hey, Amelia! Your usual?”

I nod and force a smile. “Yes, thanks. And tea.”

She jots down the order before turning to Nathan. “And for you, sir?”

He glances at the menu. “Club sandwich and coffee.”

The waitress nods and tucks her pen behind her ear. “Coming right up!”

As she walks away, I steel myself and meet Nathan’s gaze.

He leans back in his chair, eyes fixed on me. “I want to know why you’re so mad at me when you’re the one who left.”

Anger flares, and my fingers curl into fists. How dare he sit there and act like he’s the one who’s been wronged?

“I had nothing to say after finding out what a bastard you were. You fu––”

His phone shrills, and he glances at the screen, his jaw tightening as he answers.

His expression darkens as his free hand clenches and unclenches. Snippets of the conversation drift across the table—something about business, needing to return to Boston. A sense of relief. Maybe he’ll leave. Maybe I’ll be free of this intrusion into my life.

He ends the call and stands, his chair scraping against the tile floor. “I have to go. Something’s come up.”

I nod and stay silent as he looks at me.

“I’ll be coming back to finish our conversation.”

Without waiting for my reply, he strides out of the café, the bell jingling behind him. I slump in my chair, my heart racing, thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. The reprieve is only temporary. He won’t let things go unfinished—he’s not the type to walk away from unanswered questions.

But for now, at least, I’ll take this minor victory, this moment to breathe and gather my strength. Because God knows, I’m going to need it.