Chapter 13
Amberlee
Once inside my room,I release the breath I’ve been holding, letting my body rest against the door. The question he asked earlier is still bouncing around in my head.
“Any woman? Does that include you?”
I was so close to letting the word ‘yes’ slip out, but I bit my tongue and gave the only answer I could. It could never happen. He’s my brother's best friend.
Pushing off the door, I head to the bed, dropping my bags on it. I pace back and forth across the room, tapping my fingers against my leg as I try to calm myself.
How am I going to do this? Make it through a whole weekend, especially knowing he wants to plan a night we go out together, as friends. But is it? Is that what he’s going to tell Ryan? Fuck, I don’t even know.
I need to find something else to think about—anything but the man in the room next to me. Changing gears, I open my luggage, take out my clothes, and put them away.
Ten minutes. Ryan wants us ready for the beach and in the lobby in ten minutes. I can take my time and head down closer towhen I’m supposed to meet them. There’s no way in hell I want to be caught in the elevator with Jeremiah. Hell, I can take the stairs. We’re only on the third floor, it won’t be that bad.
Once I’ve wasted time unpacking, I pick up my bikini and take off my clothes, putting on the skimpy suit.
Turning, I look at myself in the mirror. Why did I think a bikini was a good idea? Oh, I know, because it’s the only suit I own and since I rarely swim, I didn’t need more than one.
A loud rapping at my door causes me to jump. In my panicked state, I rush to cover up but end up tripping over my own feet and falling to the floor. The noise that comes from me is so embarrassing. I don’t know why I felt the need to cover up when no one can just walk in without a key.
“Amberlee, are you okay?” Jeremiah shouts from the other side of the door, his voice panicked.Why is he here?
“Amberlee?” he calls again.
“I’m fine, just tripped,” I shout, hoping he willl go away.
“Are you okay? Do I need the front desk to come up and open the door?”
My eyebrows raise and my mouth goes dry. No, I don’t need that. I don’t need anyone to see me in this state. I’m a fucking wreck.
“No, I’m good.” I scramble to get up and straighten my suit.
“Open the door, I kinda feel like a skeevy perv out here in the hallway screaming at you.”
“Is Aunt Lee Lee okay?” Angel's sweet voice drifts through the door.
No way in hell am I opening it. I don’t care that he has his daughter with him.
“No, it’s okay, I'm good. Just getting changed. I'll be down in just a couple of minutes.”
He doesn’t say anything else and I sigh. Okay, I need a cover-up to put over this tiny piece of fabric, my towel, sunglasses,and sunscreen. Stepping over to the dresser, I pull out a pair of shorts and a tank top and put them on, before sliding my feet into my sandals. As I put everything in my beach bag, I mentally check off each item on my list. The last thing to go in the bag is my phone, book, and wallet, which I made sure to slip my room key in.
Okay, Amberlee, it’s time to face your fears. Or rather, the man waiting downstairs.
I slip my bag over my shoulder, pick up my sunglasses from the bed, and walk to the door. I keep my head down, so when I step out and look up, my hand goes right to my chest. I shuffle back a step or two, the door hitting me in my back as I do, causing me to yelp.
Jeremiah Dawson is standing there, holding his daughter’s hand, waiting for me.
My posture becomes stiff, and my breath hitches.
“Jeremiah, what… what… are you doing here? I thought you already went downstairs?” I stammer.
“I messaged Ryan and told him we were running a few minutes late and would be right down.”
What? Huh? We’re running late? As in meand him? We? Fuck, what did my brother think about that?
