Page 38 of See You Soon

Cara had started to think the same thing. She didn’t ask any more if Melody was returning. It had been six weeks, and Cara loved her new living arrangement.

Except for the rampant sexual frustration.

“I still think you should make a move. Keep it physical. Get it out of your systems. Maybe reenact that dream.”

“I never should have told you about that!” Cara hissed.

“Whatever,” Amara hummed. “So, there’s one little teensy tiny thing I need to tell you.” Cara froze, her entire body tensing. “It’s not just me that is coming.”

All the air in her body left in a whoosh, and her knees felt weak. She didn’t want to hear what she knew Amara would say next.

“I didn’t know you were still close.” Cara’s voice was wooden.

“Aw, don’t be like that. I don’t have a choice. You know how these things are.”

Tears pricked at the back of Cara’s eyes. They had never been able to prove that it was Erik who sent the nude pictures of her to the tabloids, but everyone in their circle knew it had to be him. He was the only one with a motive. Cara understood the pressure Amara was under from her parents, but the betrayal still stung.

“It’s fine.” Cara’s movements became jerky, and the wooden spoon clattered on the tile floor. “Did you tell him that I live here now?” Her chest rose and fell quickly, and there was a faint buzz in her ears.

“No! Of course not! I haven’t even told anyone we’re back in touch. Look, my parents are trying to get an exclusive contract with Erik’s family’s new hotels. It’s just business.”

Cara lost her grip on the bowl as she moved it from one area of the counter to the other, for no reason other than she needed to dosomething! It thudded loudly on the counter, thankfully staying upright. Cara wiped her damp hands on a dishcloth, vaguely aware of movement at the end of the hall.

“Who else?”

Amara sighed. “It’s Erik, Colin, Heather, and Liesel. The usual crowd—I promise I haven’t told—”

“It’s fine. You guys will love it. Atlanta is a beautiful city, lots to do.” Her words sounded strangled. “I’m not sure I’ll have a lot of free time. The shooting schedule has been crazy, and it’s a lot of long hours.”

“Not a chance.” Amara’s voice was firm. “I know you are upset, but you aren’t going to run away and hide again.”

“Amara, I can’t see them.” Her shoulders crept toward her ears.

“Duh, I’m not suggesting that. You and Iaregetting together. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Wes appeared beside her, his warm hand on her shoulder, offering his wordless support. She looked up at him. His eyes were concerned behind the lenses of his glasses, but they settled her racing heart.

Everything was fine.

Cara exhaled a long breath.

“I’ll see you soon.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

“Everything okay?”Wes asked when Cara hung up the phone. She reached forward to place it on the kitchen counter but didn’t step away from his hand. He should move it, but the warmth of her skin through the thin, cotton shirt seemed to have forged them together. He forced himself to lift it away.

“Everything’s fine. Amara’s coming to visit.”

“The bestie?” he asked in a teasing voice. “That’s good, right? She’s…”

He stopped. He didn’t know anything about Cara’s friend other than they went to school together and had some kind of falling out a year ago. Cara had made it clear whatever had happened was a red-light, full-stop, conversation ender whenever he probed.

“Where’s she from?” Wes suspected that if Cara weren’t so rattled, she wouldn’t have answered so quickly. The words fell from her lips automatically.

“South Africa, mostly.”

He hadn’t expected that. “I thought you lived in Connecticut?”