Page 28

AMELIA

“Who in the hell even decided that a chair should be called a chair? What if it was really supposed to be called a rug?” Maya groans, sipping her pineapple juice.

Maya, Tia, and I made plans to have lunch today at this new Filipino restaurant that opened up on Hollywood Boulevard.

“That’s a solid question. Why is an orange an orange while a grape isn’t called purple?” I question playfully.

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” Maya chuckles.

“What doesn’t make sense?” Tia smiles brightly as she holds her purse rounding the table, pulling out the chair beside me. “Sorry, I’m a little late.”

“It’s fine. We were only talking about how things are named.” I say, sliding the menu off the table looking at all of the different options. My mouth is beginning to water.

As lunch goes on, we gossip and chat about everything we can think of.

“So, how did you know he was the one?” Maya glances up, leaning into the table. “You met him so young, how did you know that you’d end up marrying the guy?”

Tia’s eyes lit up, just like always when Amir’s brought up.

He’s genuinely one of the best guys I’ve ever met.

He’d drop anything for her in a heartbeat.

Once, Tia casually mentioned she wanted to go on a cruise vacation and what happened the following day?

He booked a cruise to the Caribbean for her 21 st birthday.

Tia sips her melon juice, leaning back in the chair. “I feel like our real relationship began when he started medical school last year. I always knew I loved him but our relationship was tested.”

Maya raises a brow in awe. “Oh yeah, I remember you saying he’d come home late.”

“Extremely late, he’d study all night at the library until like 9 p.m., then come back home and study more. It felt like we were losing the spark because of how exhausted he was, we barely had time.” She sighs.

“But let me guess? He apologized and you two had late night sex?” Maya teases, eating a spoonful of sinigang.

I shake my head, twirling my pancit with my fork. “You would ask that.”

She grins. “I’ve never experienced love like you two, so sue me for wanting to know the details.”

Tia laughs. “One night we stayed up until like 3 a.m., and just talked like we used to. We communicated and came up with a schedule to make time.”

“Oh,” Maya says. “That’s nice.”

Tia smirks, rolling her eyes as she sips her juice. “And then we had sex. You damn perv.”

There was this new exclusive nightclub called ‘Eclipse’ that just opened up downtown and it is invite-only. I haven’t really spoken to Caleb about what happened with his dad but I won’t bring it up unless he does. His dad’s a sensitive topic and I never want to make him uncomfortable.

I’ve been staring at the mirror for the past two hours trying to perfect my curls and makeup. The two things I will forever take my time on if I can help it. My hair is looking voluminous tonight in its middle part.

Heaving a sigh, I run my hands down the smooth satin fabric of my light pink dress. It has a deep V-neckline that is making the girls look extra good tonight, sitting just right.

Maya picked it out.

Plopping down on my couch, I slip my white kitten heels on when a loud thud draws my attention.

Opening the door, my brows pinch in shock when Marcus is standing here, all six foot three with a black collared shirt revealing a quote tattoo on his chest, dress pants and a gold chain around his light brown skin. Goatee and dark black curls freshly cut. “You look great.”

“Thanks, you too,” I say, slightly confused.

“You’re probably wondering why I’m here.” He chuckles deeply.

“I am,” I chuckle, leaning against my door. “I don’t remember calling you for a ride.”

“Lucky for you, I ordered us a limo. Wanna join?”

“Yes! But a limo?” I ask, leaving the door open so I can quickly swipe my keys and clutch off the table then lock the door, pulling it shut behind me. “Why so fancy?”

“The real question is, why not?” He teases, draping his arms around my shoulder as we walk down the hallway. “Let’s go get your so called boyfriend.”

Warmth floods my lower belly. Caleb being called my boyfriend doesn’t sound as weird as I used to think.

We make it to the front lobby of my apartment, the sleek black Hummer limo parked in the drive-up area.

Maya pokes her head out of the top sunroof. “Damn. You look sexy!”

“No need to compliment. I know.” Marcus winks at her as he approaches the door.

“I was talking to her,” Maya says.

“Whatever you say.” Marcus grins then whispers in my ear, “She’s obsessed with me.”

Turning my head towards him I press my lips together, patting his shoulder. “If that helps you sleep at night, I’ll agree.”

“Whatever, just get in.” He rolls his eyes, opening the door. I climb toward the back with the two separate seats.

He follows, sliding into the long row of seats near the mini bar.

I whistle at Maya.

Jet-black hair parted in the middle, perfectly straightened without one hair out of a place, a crimson red strapless dress paired with a red bottom heel. She looks stunning.

“Thanks babe.” She winks at me before leaning back, pulling out her phone.

As the limo pulls onto the highway, I reach across to grab a small bottle of vodka from the bar. It’s been a while since we’ve gone out, and everything is going perfectly. Caleb’s closing his deal, Soft Muse’s engagement is at its highest in years, and I just got a raise. Time for some fun.

Fifteen minutes later, the limo rolls to a stop.

“We just pulled up. Hurry your ass down here,” Marcus speaks into his phone, Caleb’s voice muffled on the other end of the line.

A few minutes later, the door slides open and my heart nearly stops.

Caleb’s wearing a white button up shirt slightly undone, paired with black pants. His wrist covered with a simple watch, silver rings scattering across his knuckles.

He climbs into the van, his eyes locking onto mine. I shift in my seat as he got closer, his cologne hit me right in the face. It’s so intoxicating, making my head spin like a carousel. Which is not good for me. I’m already low on iron as it is.

“You look beautiful,” he says, his voice dropping an octave. He settles into the empty seat beside me, our knees brushing each other.

“Thanks,” I say, turning to face him and lightly tug the lapels of his shirt. “I like this shirt on you.”

His gaze drops to my lips and his phone blares, interrupting whatever he was about to say.

Clearing his throat, he reaches into this pocket, answering the call, pressing the phone to his ear. His smooth voice giving me a moment to collect myself.

Our next stop was Carter and Nico, a few of his football friends. I’ve never met them before but I’ve seen them on the field. They both climb into the van, with Carter heading straight for the seat near the bar. His messy blonde hair curlier than usual.

He wore a fitted forest green knit sweater that suited him nicely. He tipped his head greeting us as he got comfortable in his seat and Nico drops beside him.

“It’s nice to finally meet the woman Caleb’s been talking our ears off about,” he smirks, meeting my eyes. “I’m Carter.”

“Nico,” he also chimes in, running his hand to fix his fluffy dark black hair.

I smile. “Hi.”

Caleb hangs up the phone, and an idea pops into my head. We haven’t taken any new photos since our fake dates, it’ll be good to get some more buzz before the Driftwear event.

“Wanna take a photo?”

“I’m always down.” He nods, already swiping the camera app open.

I scoot shoulder to shoulder into his personal space, prepared to take it.

He chuckles, shaking his head as a strand of hair falls perfectly against his forehead.

“What’s so funny?” I huff, as a puff of air escapes my nose.

“I’d never be that far from my girlfriend.”

“Our thighs are touching.” I smack his thigh lightly, dragging my hand back to my own to prove a point.

The only way I’d get any closer to him is if?—

“Sit on my lap.”

Oh my.

“ Only if you’re okay with it.” He adds.

“Yeah, how do you want me to…um…sit?” I ask, awkwardly. “Do you want me to sit higher up on your thigh? Edge of your knee? Or?— ”

My mouth stops moving in an instant, replaced by a quiet gasp. His left hand slides behind my back, his touch burning my flesh through the thin fabric of my dress, while his other hand hooks under my bare thigh, effortlessly lifting me onto his lap.

“Comfortable?” His warm breath grazes the shell of my ear.

“Mhm! Yeah!” I say, my voice higher pitched than usual.

The glow from his phone screen illuminates a soft light on his face, making him even more handsome. He adjusts the phone in his free hand, resting the bottom edge on his pinky, positioning us in the frame.

He grips my waist, and warmth spreads across my left thigh as Caleb places his veiny hand there, splaying his palm to fully grip it. It’s such a small touch, but it feels like so much more.

Heat radiates from his palm, traveling through me in a way that makes it all the way to its proper destination. I’ve never felt that with him.

It makes me wonder what his hand would feel like on other parts of me, how they’d feel sliding slowly up my stomach to cup my breasts in his palms. He’d knead them just how I’d like it, rough enough to make me gasp and arch my back but tender enough to leave me aching.

“Fuck. Caleb, please,” I’d whisper, my voice trembling with need. I can almost hear the low, guttural moan rumbling from his throat, spilling through his parted lips as he leans in, sucking my breasts, making my eyes flutter.

A sharp sting follows as his teeth graze over my nipple, nipping it gently, pulling a whimper from me.

“You like that, baby?” He swirls his tongue around it, making me curse under my breath as I nod desperately.

“Ready?” His voice pulls me back and I flinch.

“Huh? Oh yeah.” I nod, trying to focus, tilting my head against his and stretch my lips into something camera-ready.

I seriously need to pop multiple ashwagandha gummies and calm the hell down. What is wrong with me?

He snaps the photo, and we both glance down at the screen. I cringe almost immediately. Why the hell am I doing a thumbs up? That is so not real. I look like my father when we took that family photo at our barbecue last year.

I’m so nervous. It looks like we won the world’s most awkward couple award.

And my face, do I always look like that? Why does it look so lopsided?

“We’re supposed to be madly in love,” he teases. “Not, whatever that is…a thumbs up, really?” Now he’s full on laughing, his chest rumbling against my back.

“Excuse me.” I shoot back a glare. “Let’s just try it again.”

“Aww, you look like your dad,” he teases, gently squeezing my thigh.

Oh whatever.

Laughter erupts from the side of the van, loving every second of our bickering.

Carter turns his head, not doing a good job at hiding his annoying grin. “Let me see the photo, Hayes.”

Rolling my eyes, Caleb leans forward, his hold on me tightening just enough to keep me from slipping off his lap to show the photo.

Such a traitor.

Marcus and Nico don’t miss the opportunity to take a peek as well. Maya squats up to peer over and squints at the screen, and shocker, they all burst out laughing again, damn near shaking the van.

“What are y'all hyenas now?” I fold my arms.

“You look so cute.” Maya teases. “I just wanna pinch your cheeks.”

“Whatever, I’m redoing it!” A laugh unfortunately slips out before I could catch it. “Delete it.”

“Try and keep the thumb down this time,” he laughs.

“Just take the damn photo.”

“Feisty.”

Turning my head, I cup his jaw and guide his face toward mine until our eyes lock, lips just inches apart. “Better?” I whisper. “Do we look in love now?”

His eyes darken as he snaps the photo, gaze still locked on me. He doesn’t check his phone. Not yet.

My fingertips linger on his jaw. Why can’t I pull away?

“I don’t need to check. I know I’m in love with you.”

“What?” The word escapes me too fast.

“For the photo,” he murmurs, giving my chin a gentle pinch before clearing his throat. “It looks like I’m in love with you for the photo.”

Right, of course. For the photo.