The knot in Amy’s stomach tightened, and a crawling sensation pricked her skin.
Someone should have reminded Lancehewas in a relationship. Not only did he have a sexy voice—a perfect mix of mellow and gravelly—he was gorgeous too. So, it never surprised her when girls showered him with attention. Problem was Lance never discouraged it.
“Dennis knows I was with Lance.” Before Celeste could pick up on Amy’s use of the past tense, she hurried on. “He said it didn’t matter. He doesn’t want a relationship. He...” Bile rose in her throat as she made air quotes with her fingers. “Just wanted some workplace perks.”
Celeste gasped. “What a scumbag!”
The bedroom door to Amy’s right flew open, and Grant darted out wearing boxers, hands balled into fists. “What’s wrong?”
Celeste sprang to her feet and pushed her wide-eyed husband back into the bedroom. “Nothing. Sorry, honey. I’m talking to Amy.”
“Oh.” His mumbled acknowledgment proved Celeste often got excited when Amy was around.
Celeste often got excitable, period. With her, it was all or nothing. She never did anything halfway.
Amy wished she was more outgoing, like her friend.No time like the present.She needed to get far away from Lance and Dennis.
After a few muffled words and the unmistakable smack of a kiss, Celeste returned to the family room. A grin split her face. “He’ll be so embarrassed if he remembers this tomorrow.”
Amy’s face heated. She’d seen plenty of her mother’s boyfriends wander around the apartment in their boxers when she was young, but Grant was her best friend’s attractive husband. A few months ago, she accidentally told him, “You make me hot.” When what she meant to say was, “You make me mad.” A slip he wouldn’t let her live down. Every time Grant got within five feet of Amy, he asked, “Am I making you hot?”
“Even if he doesn’t remember flashing me, I’ll never lethimlive it down.” Amy grinned.
“You shouldn’t.” Celeste’s smile faded. “Seriously though, A, what’re you going to do without a job?”
“There’s more,” Amy whispered.
“More what?” Celeste leaned forward, brow furrowed.
“I went home early after quitting my job. Figured I’d get Kallie in the morning like I usually do.” A dull pounding resonated in Amy’s head.I should have eaten something tonight.But she’d been too busy trying to avoid her lecherous boss. She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to tell her friend the worst part of the night. “Lance wasn’t alone when I got home.”
“Did he take the band home for an after-party again?” Celeste rolled her eyes. “When will he realize his weekend gig at Charley’s Bar and Grill isn’t the same as being on tour?”
“He wasn’t with the band.” Amy squeezed her eyes shut and took a slow steadying breath to fight the nausea from the memory of Lance in her bed with a long-legged brunette. The same one that had ogled him all night at the bar.
She’d already spent fifteen minutes dry-heaving at the realization that while she’d been working nights, Lance had had plenty of opportunities to entertain other women in her bed.
“Oh.” Celeste put a hand on Amy’s knee. “I’m so sorry.” The absence of Celeste’s usual animation told Amy her friend was not surprised.
Amy planted her elbows on her knees. She rubbed her temples with trembling fingers. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who suspected Lance was cheating on her again. Or was it still?
He’d made such a fool of Amy for who knows how long. That’s why she’d planned on leaving him.
Lance had never made her any promises. He’d made no commitment to her, except to act like he was doing her a favor by moving in with her. He’d sucked her in with his good looks and charm, and she’d let him walk all over her, knowing he’d never commit.
I’m such an idiot.
“If I had the money I’d been saving, Kallie and I would be okay for a while, but...”
Celeste let out a low growl. “Lance had no right to blow your hard-earned money on another guitar.”
Amy had told Celeste about the money, because her friend insisted on knowing how she’d gotten the black eye last week. She hadn’t told her she’d been saving the money so she could leave Lance and make a fresh start somewhere.
She didn’t want to admit Lance didn’t love her anymore.
Am I really that hard to love?The thought came unbidden.
Amy recalled the determination she’d experienced as she packed her bags before walking out on Lance. “I’m leaving, C.”
