Page 69 of In The Dark

Amelia’s head snapped up, her breath catching immediately. Standing just a few feet away was Jo’s best friend.

Ada’s face may have been unreadable, one brow lifted, a half-full glass in her hand, but her gaze was focused firmly on Amelia.

She sat up abruptly and brushed Emily’s hand from her thigh. “Shit.”

Emily laughed as she pulled away. “Friend of yours, by any chance?”

Ada continued to glare at Amelia, that disgust Jo had for her in her eyes almost mirrored in her best friend’s. God, that look was far more painful than Amelia wanted to admit.

Still, she forced out a breath and said, “I-I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Mm. I could say the same,” Ada replied, switching her gaze between Amelia and Emily. “But here you are…without a care in the world.”

“I was invited,” Amelia said, trying not to sound defensive and hoping Ada believed her. “Evie thought it might help.”

Ada’s expressionstilldidn’t change.

“I’m just trying to take my mind off things.”

“Yeah, it looks like it’s working. Good for you.”

That hit Amelia like a slap to the face.

Emily leaned into her again, quite clearly unable to read the room. “Are we pretending we’renotin a sex club, or…?”

Amelia shot her a look, her nostrils flared. “Would you give us a minute?”

“Your loss.” Emily shrugged and stood up, wandering off with her hips swaying as though she hadn’t just been dismissed.

Amelia turned back to Ada. “Before you say anything?—”

“Iwasn’tgoing to say anything.” Ada’s voice softened, but Amelia still felt the tension in the air between them. “You’re a grown woman. You can do whatever you want.”

“But?”

Ada sighed and tilted her head. “Jo’s on her way here.”

“S-she…” Amelia’s blood ran cold. “What?”

“She’s meeting me for a drink. I didn’t know you were going to be here. I texted her before I left my place, and she seemed fine with the idea.” Ada gave her a knowing look. “You…may want to fix your dress.”

Amelia’s hands flew to her lap. The lace of her lingerie was barely showing, but it was enough to be noticed. She suddenly felt naked and ashamed. Her stomach twisted as she smoothed the fabric down. “I wasn’t trying to…” she trailed off. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“Clearly.” Ada set her glass down. “I’m going to head out and meet her before she walks in.”

“Ada, please.” Amelia’s voice broke. “Please, don’t tell her I was like this.”

Ada studied her. “She’salreadyhurting, you know.”

“I-I know.” Amelia swallowed back her emotion. She had no right to play the victim here. She’d created this all on her own. “So am I.”

Ada leaned down and said, “I don’t think you’re a bad person, Amelia. But if you’re going to let Jo get on with her life, then maybe don’t be sitting here looking at her when she walks in.”

And with that, Ada turned and walked away.

Amelia sat there frozen in place, the lights suddenly too bright and the air too thick with tension to breathe. Her hands trembled as she grabbed her clutch, but she put one foot in front of the other and moved towards the table Evie had been occupying just moments ago. She would be as inconspicuous as she could be, but Amelia couldn’t leave yet. Sheneededto lay eyes on Jo for her own sanity.

What the hellare you doing here?