There was something behind those words. Something bordering on sorrowful. Jo caught it, and it left a small ache in her chest. “Why is that?”
“Why is…what?”
“You go to Satin, but I never hear of any dates you’ve been on. You enjoy spending your time there…yet I never see you with another woman around town.” Jo’s throat bobbed before she said what was really on her mind. “Is it because you’re not out?”
Amelia gazed back at Jo with surprise. “Jo, I’ve been out for over twenty years. The reason you never see me with another woman or hear about dates is because those opportunities are few and far between.”
Jo snorted, breaking any remaining tension with a roll of her eyes. “If that’s the case, there’s no fucking hope for me.”
“Oh, you’ll be just fine. I wouldn’t worry.”
“No, I mean…if you can’t find a woman or set up a date, then I have no chance.” Her voice dipped, not quite playful anymore. “Seriously, I find it hard to believe thatyoustruggle to find a date.”
“Perhaps I don’t just throw myself at the first woman I see.” Amelia’s response was measured and cool, but her gaze didn’t waver. Not even for a split second.
Jo looked away first, pretending to straighten the hem of her running jacket. “So what you’re saying is you’re just very…selective?”
“You could say that.”
Jo looked back at Amelia and caught the spark dancing in her eyes. She leaned back on the couch and stretched her legs out casually in front of her. “Selective is good,” Jo said, watching Amelia from across the room. “It implies high standards. A…strong sense of self. Refined taste, shall we say?”
Amelia arched a brow. “That sounds dangerously close to flattery.”
Jo couldn’t fight the smirk working its way to her lips. “Would that be a problem?”
“It depends,” Amelia said as she slowly rose to her feet and took a seat beside Jo. “Is it flattery for the sake of it…or are you hoping to get something out of it?”
Jo laughed quietly and looked down at her hands. She hadn’t expected Amelia to be sitting so close to her, even if she was doing so casually, her legs crossed and her hands clasped in herlap. “I think if I was trying to get something out of it, I’d be doing a much better job.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Amelia uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, her elbows now resting on her knees. “You’ve always had a way with words, Jo.”
The intimacy in Amelia’s voice startled Jo, the flirtation too, but she could bite back if she wanted to, and in this moment…shedidwant to. She tilted her head, searching Amelia’s face. “Yeah? You saying that because you believe it, or because you’re being kind?”
“I don’t do kind for the sake of it.” Amelia’s voice dropped. “You know that.”
Jodidknow that. She knew Amelia could be devastatingly honest, even when it stung. “I know. I just…guess I’m not used to you looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
Jo hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she should say it. But then again, this—whatever this was—had been building since Saturday night now. “Like I’m not Callum’s ex. You looked at me the very same way on Saturday night at Satin.”
Amelia sat back slowly, her face unreadable. “You’veneverjust been Callum’s ex to me,” Amelia said. “And since we’re being honest, you’ve been on my mind since Saturday. Before then, actually.”
Jo’s entire body heated under Amelia’s gaze. “I must have made quite the impression at the club.”
Amelia gave her a look. It was half-amused and half…dangerous. Oh, those eyesalwayshad the potential to be dangerous. “I’m not talking about the club, Jo.”
Oh. She leaned forward and mirrored Amelia’s posture. “Then whatareyou talking about?”
“I’m talking about the woman who makes me laugh even when I’ve had the day from hell. The one who brings wine overwhen she knows I need to unwind and talk. The woman who makes excuses to ‘be in the area’ but shows up in running clothes that looksuspiciouslyclean.”
Jo groaned as she covered her face with her hands. “Busted.”
“Completely,” Amelia said as she drew one of Jo’s hands away from her face. “But it’s cute.”
Jo peered at her through her fingers. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m flattered.” Amelia dragged a hand through her hair. “But I’m not entirely sure it’s a good idea.”
