Page 37

AMELIA

The sun shines through the curtains of our hotel room and I stir.

Something warm wraps around me, pulling me in closer, and it feels so good. I blink slowly, my brows pinching together as I peek down and see brown floppy hair, a white shirt, tanned arms, and biceps filling my vision.

Oh my god. Caleb’s cuddling me.

His arms drape over me, resting against the curve of my waist, and the faint scent of him drifts through my nostrils, comforting in ways that makes my pulse flutter.

I can’t help running my fingers through his hair, feeling each delicate strand slide between them. His grip tightens around me, sending a jolt of electricity through my body.

“Mmmm,” he groans, half-asleep.

My hands still.

“Don’t stop.” He nestles into me more.

This moment feels like second nature to me as my fingers move on their own, slipping through his hair, scratching his scalp as he stirs and moans, last night flashing through my mind.

Look at me and tell me what you want.

What possessed me to do that? I feel like I’m going insane with how he makes me feel. Every word, every touch, every look.

I want him.

But could I really have him? How complicated will that be? Could you imagine me saying “Oh hey by the way ever since we kissed my feelings for you have changed. I know this is all fake but maybe me and you could be more?”

I’d sound insane.

“Keep touching me.” He stirs, burying his face in my neck as his lips brush my throat, lower heat pooling in my belly.

Okay I have to get up. I can’t stay here. We have so much to do to set up for our guests and I can’t afford to lose focus.

“Caleb,” I murmur.

He groans, holding me tighter, squeezing me in a way that sends a signal straight down to my core. No. No. Not the time.

“Hey,” I whisper-yell. “Time to wake up.”

He finally rolls over to his side, and I suddenly feel cold, the warmth of his body slipping away.

“Yeah?” His morning voice low, deeper sending a little shiver down my spine.

He blinks up at me, his eyes still heavy, then sits up against the headboard, stretching his arms behind his head. His muscles flex, and the veins in his forearms are so prominent that I can’t look away.

“Last night was something,” He says lazily, turning his head to meet my eyes. “Got a little carried away...didn’t we?”

The air between us thickens faster than cornstarch in boiling water, and I swallow hard shifting uncomfortably in bed as I rub the back of my neck. “We did…um I hope things won’t be awkward between us but?—”

“We can just forget about it, yeah?” he sighs, rubbing his jaw.

Forget about it? My stomach twists as I try to keep my face neutral. He’s brushing this off like it was nothing. But it meant something to me.

That was only a fun night for him. Nothing more.

My shoulders sag, feeling a sting in my heart. “Right. We can forget about it. Cool.”

“Come on,” he says, reaching out to pinch my chin. “Let’s go be the best couple we can be.”

I scan the outdoor venue Tia and Amir booked for today’s event, making sure everything is running smoothly. Rock boulders surround a small waterfall, and purple jacaranda flowers are in full bloom all around.

All the guests are showing up today and I’m praying to avoid the relationship topic now that Caleb’s my date but knowing his Aunt Barbara…I don’t think that’s happening.

Maya and I move between the tables, placing the cute yellow menus as the caterers set down the plates and utensils.

“Thanks guys. You’re really helping me out,” Tia groans, making her way toward me, exhaustion etched across her face.

“That’s what maid of honors are for,” I grin. “Now go away. Just greet everyone up front.” I give her a playful nudge.

“Don’t ruin your manicure.” Maya laughs, shooing her away. “We got this.”

Later that afternoon, we see all of her family arrive, glancing around the venue and greeting Amir and Tia up front. Then I spot my parents.

“Show time,” I murmur at Caleb behind me as he gently kneads my shoulders.

“Hi, anak!” Mom squeals, running up and wrapping me in a tight hug.

I exhale a deep breath, feeling her warmth, realizing how much I’ve missed her.

“Wow. Ang ganda mo!” I blatantly admire my mom, taking in her teal maxi wraparound dress and shoulder length brown hair speckled with caramel highlights. “I love this new color on you.”

She tosses her hair over her shoulder dramatically. “Salamat, I wanted to try something new.”

Dad then steps up, his deep brown skin glowing, looking sharp as ever in his suit as he pulls me into a hug, giving my shoulders a firm squeeze. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, dad.” I smile warmly.

“Kamusta ka na Mrs. Taylor,” Caleb’s voice behind me, warm. “Mr. Taylor, great to see you again.”

Hold on, since when did he know Tagalog?

He steps around me, giving my mom a hug first. She squeezes him so tight he might just pop, before she pulls back as he and my dad hug.

“When did you start learning?!” My mom asks.

He lets out a small chuckle. “Ilang buwan na,” he says, pausing to rub the back of his neck. “I’m trying.”

Okay wait…his pronunciation is actually so good.

“Nonsense. You’re a natural,” my father corrects him, as Caleb gives him a firm handshake. “You already know how to respond. That’s amazing, son.”

“Thank you.” Caleb’s eyes gleam, the look in them showing that he feels like he’s done something right. This is how he should always feel.

“Let’s go find the soon to be married couple!” my mom exclaims.

“Yes, let’s go.” My dad reaches for my mom’s hand, leading her in. “We’ll see you guys later.”

Facing Caleb I look up into his eyes curiously. “So you’ve been learning Tagalog.” I state.

He peers down at me, the sun shining behind him creating a warm glow around him. “Yeah.”

“You never told me.”

“Wanted to surprise you.” He grins, slowly slipping his hands into his pockets. “Did it work?”

“Oo,” I smile, saying yes in Tagalog.

An hour later I’m holding a glass of Moet champagne, chatting with Marcus when my eyes flick toward the arched flower garden foyer.

Caleb’s parents. Crap.

“Want my champagne?” My eyes anxiously lock onto Marcus as I quickly pass him the glass, a little splashing over the top.

“I won’t turn it down,” he says, taking the champagne from me. “Why are you in such a rush?”

“Caleb’s parents just got here.” I jerk my head toward the entrance behind him.

He peers over his shoulder. “Shit.”

“I’ll catch up with you later okay,” I say before scurrying off toward Caleb before his parents get to him, my heels nearly sinking into the grass.

I crash into Caleb, latching onto his arms as he looks down at me, confused. “Need me to carry you?”

“No,” I chuckle. “But ask me again at the end of the night and my answer might be different.”

“Caleb,” his dad’s voice startles me, and we quickly turn to face him. I straighten my posture. “Amelia,” he smiles, but it’s so small you’d need a magnifying glass to see it.

Thomas and Christine Hayes.

Caleb’s almost a carbon copy of Thomas, just a smidge shorter, maybe by an inch. His short grey pompadour is perfectly styled, his goatee neatly trimmed. He’s wearing a navy-blue suit tailored to fit his broad shoulders.

“Mom, Dad!” Tia shrieks from behind me, rushing forward with Amir giving them big hugs.

Christine tugs Caleb and Tia into a soft hug, rubbing their backs up and down with her pointed French tip nails. She murmurs something in Caleb’s ear that I can’t quite make out. It makes him smile, causing a ripple effect onto me.

“Hi, sweetie,” Thomas says, pulling Tia into a hug as Caleb withdraws, his expression tightening.

I notice his tenseness, his shoulders taut and jaw clenched. Without thinking, I slip my hands around his waist, snuggling into his side. Small gesture but his body loosens up a fraction.

“You two seem serious,” Thomas comments, glancing down at my hand around Caleb. “Thought it’d be over by now.”

“Don’t say things like that,” Christine chides, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her blue eyes bore into her husband’s sharply.

“What, honey? I’m honest. Never pictured him as the settling type at this age. That’s all.” He shrugs, his emerald eyes flickering between Caleb and me.

“And why not?” Caleb retorts, snaking his hand around me and rests it on my hip. “You don’t think I’m capable of committing?”

"No, it’s not that.” Thomas laughs bitterly. “I’m just curious why you’re busy flirting instead of focusing on your career. You don’t want too many distractions, right?”

I’m standing right here. Seriously? I want nothing more than to curse him out, to let him have it for once. I clench my jaw so tight, I’m almost certain there’s a gigantic vein about to split my forehead in half.

“My relationship doesn’t interfere,” Caleb scoffs. “And if you’re gonna stand here and insinuate that Amelia’s a distraction to me then you’re out of damn mind.”

“Dad?” Tia’s face falls, her nostrils flaring. “Seriously?”

Amir looks between all of us, scratching the back of his head, as he pulls Tia closer to him.

Thomas looks at Tia and sighs. “Can’t I ask a simple?—”

Christine starts to speak but Tia beats her to it, voice fiercer than I’ve ever heard it.

“It’s none of your business what Caleb’s doing.

He’s a grown man and more than capable of being in a relationship and focusing on football.

Just because you couldn’t doesn’t mean he can’t.

You’re lucky Mom even got back together with you.

You’re being an asshole Dad,” she snaps, stepping closer to her father.

“Tia, stop. It’s fine,” Caleb shakes his head, but she narrows her eyes at him.

“I wasn’t finished.” She snaps, turning back to her dad glowering.

“This is my wedding week. You’re here to support me and Amir, and this is the first thing you do?

If you can’t keep your stupid comments to yourself and can’t respect that, don’t bother staying.

I’ll personally book you a flight back.”

Silence. The only sounds are distant chatter fading into the background and the wind rustling through the palm trees.

In all my years of knowing them, Tia has never raised her voice at either of her parents. She’s always been their princess.

I remember when she couldn’t get an appointment with a popular nail tech that does all the celebrities’ red-carpet nails, so he paid triple the price to secure a booking last minute.

Thomas’ expression falters, caught off guard by Tia’s outburst. He presses his lips into a fine line and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Let’s just enjoy the wedding, okay?” Christine says solemnly, trying to ease this unwanted tension.

“Yeah and while we’re at it, how about we avoid this bullshit all together? Don’t bother speaking to me from now on.” Caleb stares at his father before slipping away from my arms, stalking toward the main office of the venue.

“Caleb!” I call out, reaching for his arm but he’s out of my reach.

Tia’s eyes start to glisten.

“Sweetie—” her dad starts.

“No. You’ve done more than enough, just um… find your seats.” She sniffs trying to hold it together, gesturing toward the tables.

Christine reaches for her daughter, squeezing her shoulder. “I’m sorry, baby.” Then leads her husband through the venue.

“Come here,” Amir says, smoothing back Tia’s hair and kissing her forehead.

I squeeze Tia’s arm. “I’ll find Caleb, okay?”

She looks at me, offering a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks.”

“Of course.” I rush out, hurriedly following him inside while I squeeze myself between tables.

Maya grabs my arm gently. “Woah, woah, what’s going on? Why’s Caleb so pissed off?”

“He, uh, ate something bad,” I lie, terribly.

Caleb doesn’t really talk about how strained his relationship is with his father. Only Marcus and I know outside of Tia and his mom. It’s not something he goes telling people unless they happen to overhear an argument. It’s not my business to tell.

Maya raises a brow, clearly seeing through the lie, but she doesn’t push. “Tell him to drink ginger-ale,” she says. “Hope he feels better.”

Entering the cold air-conditioned building, my goosebumps rise, and the workers I spoke to when we arrived are still sitting at the front desk.

“Have you seen a tall, brown-haired guy come through here?” I ask, motioning the word tall with my hands.

One of the ladies nods, gesturing to the waiting area. “He headed down that way toward the restrooms.”

I say a quick thank you, quickening my pace down the hall. There’s a waiting area next to the bathroom with a few brown chairs.

“Caleb?” my voice echoes throughout the quiet building, my heels clacking against the tile.

He rises from one of the chairs, turning around to meet me. “Sorry for storming off like that, I just had to get some space.”

Shaking my head, taking his hand in mine, I rub my thumb against his. “Are you okay?”

“I am.” He exhales. “I’m just tired of having the same conversations. It’s exhausting.”

“I know.” I sigh, cupping his jaw, tilting his head down as I rest his forehead against mine, standing in the comfortable silence.

Words aren’t always necessary, it’s being with one another that truly makes a difference.