Chapter Twenty
Harry
When my mother had called on Wednesday to tell me she had thrown together a last-minute engagement party for Amber and me, I had been caught off guard. I had expected to end the engagement before it was ever made public. This changed everything. Amber would be scrutinized by my family’s friends and peers. The society columns would be digging into her past to try to learn more about her. I had opened a can of worms.
When I had called to tell Amber about what would happen if she went through with our plan, she didn’t seem all that bothered. I had heard through the grapevine that there had been some drama at the office between Tiffany, Amber, and my brother, but I didn’t know the details. I had a feeling it was the details that were driving Amber to go all in on the fake engagement.
“There you are,” I said, wrapping my arms around Amber’s slender waist. “I thought someone had whisked you away to pepper you with questions.”
“Believe me, they tried. I shot them down. I am not going to let myself get caught alone with one of those barracudas.”
I chuckled. “Smart thinking. I don’t know if I told you, but you look gorgeous. I really like this little number you have on. Blue is your color,” I said, giving her a quick kiss.
She laughed. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if Tiffany had the market cornered on all shades of blue or just her Tiffany color.”
“This is your blue.”
William walked by, giving us both a dirty look.
“What’s with him?” I asked her. “I heard there was some drama at the office. Anything I should know about?”
She shrugged. “No. I’m going to get a drink. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I watched her walk away, admiring the sway of her hips in the floor-length gown she was wearing. I saw William standing alone and decided to ask him what the hell was going on.
“It’s just stress. All this wedding planning is making things crazy,” he said nonchalantly.
“You sure? You and Tiffany seem to be on the outs. Isn’t that supposed to happen after the wedding?”
“She has a lot on her plate as well,” he explained.
It made sense. Tiffany was a control freak. I imagined she was a classic bridezilla kind of woman. I certainly wouldn’t want to be trying to plan a wedding with her.
“I’m glad Amber is so laid back. She’s happy to let Mom plan our wedding. She doesn’t care about all the details,” I said smoothly.
William raised an eyebrow. “Amber is letting our mother plan her wedding?”
I nodded. “Yep. She thinks Mom will know best when it comes to all that stuff. She’s happy to show up on the big day and enjoy the party.”
My eyes were on Amber as she escorted her parents toward mine. I suddenly felt the need to run interference and quickly excused myself from William’s presence.
When I joined the small group, I could see by the look on Amber’s face that she was not happy. It only took me a few seconds to realize why. My dad was treating her father as if he were the help.
“Bob, I could use a drink,” my mother said, seeing the way things were going.
“Yes, dear,” he said and walked away.
“I’m sorry about that,” my mother apologized. “Two weddings has him a little crazy. Please don’t take offense. He isn’t generally so rude.”
Amber’s mother smiled and put her hand on her husband’s arm. “It’s okay. We understand this was all so fast. It was fast for all of us, but if the kids are happy, that’s all that matters.”
My mother smiled. “That is exactly my opinion as well. Do you think we could get together sometime next week to try to set a date?”
Teresa looked at Amber and then me. “Shouldn’t we let them decide when they want to get married?”
My mother waved a hand. “Amber has told me she is fine with whatever we plan. Isn’t that right, Amber?”
Amber grinned. “Yes, that’s right. Mom, you and Mrs. Martin can plan the wedding as you see fit. You know I hate all those details. I would love it if the two of you worked on it.”
Teresa looked confused, but when my mother grabbed her arm and led her away to meet some friends, she went willingly.
“Your mom didn’t look convinced,” I said, leaning close.
Amber didn’t seem concerned. “I’m sure she’s wondering why I don’t want to plan my own wedding. I’m not going to waste a lot of time browsing bridal magazines for a wedding that will never happen.”
“Harry!” my dad called out. He was waving me over.
“Go ahead. I’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “You better go see what he wants.”
I groaned. “I’m sure it’s to shake more hands. I hate these things.”
“Go, do your thing. I’ll be here waiting.”
I left her to see what my father wanted. I saw Tiffany stomp by. She looked pissed. My eyes caught a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. It was William. He was motioning for Amber to join him. I looked at Amber and watched her walk toward my brother. They were headed to the library. It seemed to be their thing.
I quickly excused myself and made my way to the library, staying out of sight.
“This is your last chance to back out of this,” I heard William say. “You don’t have to do this. You know it’s a mistake.”
“Seriously, we’re going to go through this again?” Amber said, groaning.
Again? I wondered when they had gone through it the first time.
“Think about it. You’re rushing into something, and you’re going to end up regretting it.”
“We’ve already gone over this, William.”
“You don’t even know him!” William shouted. “Do you know his reputation? Do you know how many women he’s slept with? He isn’t going to settle down, and he’ll never be faithful to you.”
“His reputation doesn’t matter. I don’t base my opinion of people on rumors. I like to form my own opinions,” she said reasonably. “Besides, you aren’t any better. Just because you hide your affairs doesn’t mean they don’t happen. Don’t think I don’t know about the many women you have slept with, William.”
I bit back a laugh. William liked to pretend he was a saint, but I knew different. I was glad Amber knew as well.
“My reputation is solid. Unlike my brother, I don’t flaunt all my conquests on the pages of the tabloids.”
“Speaking of your conquests, shouldn’t you be chasing after your fiancée? Isn’t she sick or something?” Amber said with heavy sarcasm.
“She’s fine. You’re making a mistake. I’m trying to save you from the hurt and embarrassment his past and future are sure to bring you. No one takes him seriously. You will be the laughing stock in our circle of friends,” William argued.
“As if I care what your friends think about me. I don’t think Harry cares either. That’s your issue, not his. Are you jealous or something, William? You didn’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me. Is that it? I’m not good enough to be your wife, but I’m too good to be your brother’s wife. Do I have that about right?” she said, and I could hear the anger in her voice.
I loved that she wasn’t backing down. She was fighting back, which made me want to rush in there and kiss her.
“You know it wasn’t like that, Amber. It wouldn’t have worked between us. We’re from two different worlds. That doesn’t mean I didn’t care about you. This doesn’t have to end between us.”
I held my breath, waiting to hear her response. I knew I should have been livid to hear my brother proposition my fiancée. I would be later. Right now, I had to know what Amber was going to do. I didn’t think I could even be fake engaged to her if she was still pining after my brother. That would be too weird.
“You make me sick, William. Are you asking me to be your mistress—again? You have no shame. I never want to hear you talk about your brother as if he were lower than you. I don’t think Harry would ever treat a woman like you have treated me or are trying to treat Tiffany. He may have slept around a lot, but I guarantee you he didn’t give any of those women false hopes or encourage them,” she said in a voice so low I almost didn’t hear her.
“Mistress is such a dirty word. You know why I have to marry Tiffany. You know I didn’t intentionally lead you on. I thought you understood it was never anything serious.”
“I’m over this, William. I’m tired of hashing this out with you. I’m marrying Harry. He’s your brother. Don’t you find it even slightly loathsome that you are asking me to climb in your bed when you know I’m engaged to your brother?”
I smiled. I was glad she was defending me and our engagement, even if it wasn’t real. She was a good woman. William had missed his chance. Amber may still have had some feelings for him, but I knew she valued herself too much to ever debase herself by sleeping with a married man.
“It isn’t like you’ll be married for long. He’ll cheat on you before the honeymoon’s over,” William spat out.
I heard her laugh. “You’re not even married yet and you are already planning on cheating on your wife. You still think you’re better than him?”
Score another one for Amber.
“I would never flaunt it in her face.”
She was laughing for real now. “I can’t believe I ever thought you were the better brother. You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing. No, wait, strike that. You’re just a snake slithering through the grass.”
“Watch yourself, Amber. I’m still your boss.”
“That’s an easy fix. And, William, it’s you who better watch yourself.”
I realized she was going to be exiting the library in a well-timed exit. I quickly jogged down the hall and into the kitchen. I didn’t want her to know I had heard her conversation with William. I was so proud of her, and I wanted to thank her for defending me and kiss her for protecting our engagement. I wouldn’t. I wanted to wait and see if she would tell me what had happened.
Judging by her initial comment, William had been giving her a hard time at work about our engagement. That was something I would be addressing. I had a feeling Tiffany must have been made privy to one of those conversations as well, which was why she was acting so cold toward her fiancé. William had better watch his step. If he didn’t fix things with Tiffany, he could very well find himself single. Then I would be the good son, even if I wasn’t marrying a woman of quality. The very thought of the tables turning made me laugh inside.
I walked into the ballroom and spotted Amber talking with her mother and downing a glass of champagne. I walked toward her, wrapped her in my arms, and soundly kissed her in front of the entire room.
She pulled back and gave me a strange look. “What was that for?”
I smiled as if it would take over my face. “I wanted to let you know I think you are one hell of an amazing woman.”
Her mom had tears in her eyes as she watched me spin Amber around. I may have overplayed my hand, but at that moment, I meant every word I said.
***
END OF SAMPLE
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