Page 58

CHAPTER10

Amber shut herself inside her room with a sigh.

“Long day?” Rose asked with a frown.

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“I have a feeling, I will soon.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

She shot Amber a look. “Nothing at all.”

For a moment, the pair sat in silence, but Amber was all but vibrating with unspoken words.

“You know, you can still tell me what happened,” Rose chuckled, helping her out of her gown.

“Do you really want to know?”

“Of course. You know I live for the interesting little tidbits that you are able to bring back to me.”

Amber grinned. “Truly?”

“It might be a slight exaggeration, but I do enjoy hearing about it, most of the time.”

“Then you must let me tell you all about everything that has happened. It is simply too much!” Amber lamented. “I don’t even know where to start!”

“Perhaps at the beginning.”

Amber sighed. “Do you remember when I mentioned that Simon was pushing me to marry one of his friends?”

“Of course. How could I forget that horrible man!?”

“Right?! He’s the absolute worst.”

“So, this is about him?”

She nodded. “Of course, it is! Well, him and Simon. Rose, I can’t marry him. I just can’t.”

“I can understand that. There has to be something you can do. I’m here to help you too you know.”

“I know you are, and I appreciate that, but who knows what Simon would do if you got caught helping me. I can’t risk that.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

“But you shouldn’t have to worry about it.”

“We are friends. I’m going to worry about you.”

“And I worry about you too. That’s exactly why I can’t involve you. Honestly, I’m not even sure how much of my plan I should even tell you. I don’t want to turn you into an accomplice.”

“You can tell me. You know I won’t say a word.”

“I know you won’t. That isn’t what I’m worried about.”

“Why don’t you start by just telling me about what’s going on, and you can make a decision when the time comes?”

“I suppose that sounds like as good of a way as any to start.”