“There you are.” Amber dropped into the seat next to him. “Have you had coffee? Do you mind waiting while I have my tea? I’ve already ordered.”
“Go for it. How was the salon? Your hair looks great.”
“Thanks, hon.” She huffed a laugh. “It’d better. They charge like wounded bulls, but it was nice to spoil myself. Do you think the colour is okay?”
She swivelled her head so he could see the highlights.
“I like it.”
The server approached and placed a cup and saucer, with a teapot and small jug of milk, before her, then took Evan’s empty mug away. “Thanks.”
Amber poured and doctored her tea, then took a delicate sip and placed the cup back on the saucer. “Listen, sitting in the salon gave me a lot of time to think. So I’ve been thinking—”
“Oh, no. Should I be worried?” Evan chuckled, placing his hand on his chest.
“Of course not. I always have your best interests at heart.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
She swatted at him. “Now, now. Someone needs to take care of you. Actually, that’s what this is about.”
“Oh?”
“I was thinking about you and Harry.” She looked up, a big grin on her face. “Speak of the devil.”
Evan followed her gaze and warmed at the sight. “Hey, Harry.”
“I saw you over here while I was queuing for coffee. I’ve left John back in the cabin to shower and thought I’d snatch some time with you, but it looks like I’m interrupting.”
“No, no. You’re not interrupting at all. Pull up a seat,” Amber said. “Actually, we were just talking about you. Well, at least I was. I’ve been thinking about the two of you.”
“Yeah?” Harry sounded unsure.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s all good, I promise.”
“Okay, I guess.” Harry’s gaze flicked from Amber to Evan and back again. Evan felt sorry for him. He didn’t know Amber like Evan did, so he had no idea what to expect.
“Take it easy on the poor guy, Amber.”
“Of course, silly.” She took a long sip of tea while the two of them sat waiting for her to continue. She finally put the cup down and spoke in a lowered voice. “I think you guys are good together, and it upsets me that being on the show is hampering you being together. This could be the trip of a lifetime, but Harry, you’re suffering with John, and Evan, you’re stuck with me. I hate that you can’t be together.”
Evan reached across and touched her arm. “Don’t be silly. I’m not stuck with you. I want to be here to support you. And we’re having fun.”
“And I’ve made a commitment to John to see this thing through to the end. I made my bed, so to speak,” Harry said.
She huffed, nostrils flaring. “He shouldn’t have forced you to be here if you didn’t want to come. You’re both as bad as each other, bending over backwards to keep other people happy. What about yourselves? Don’t you deserve to be happy?”
Evan nodded slowly and saw Harry do the same.
“Yes, but—”
“No buts!” She raised a hand, leaned across the small table, and pointed her finger, pressing the polished fingertip into Evan’s chest. “I have to do this, because Monique would have my guts for garters if I didn’t kick your butt!”
“Monique?”
“My sister. Remember?” Evan glanced to Harry but swung his gaze back to Amber as she insistently poked his chest again. He took her hand in his, stilling her movements. “I’m not going to get out of this lecture, am I?”
She shook her head. “It’s for your own good. I just want you to know that you don’t have to do this for me. If you want to back out at any time, that’s fine with me. You can come clean—”
