Page 51 of The Backup Groom

Her eyes went wide, a hint she was waiting for something.

Right. The bet. I lost. It was time to pay up.

I sighed. “I guess you’re waiting for me to tell you what was on my mind when I saw you in Starbucks.”

“A bet’s a bet,” Amber said.

Here we go.

Do it.

Tell her how you feel.

I paced back and forth a few times before turning back to her. “I was disappointed because . . .” I blew out a breath. “You don’t really want to know, do you?”

Amber took a step closer and tugged on my sleeve. “Yes. I do. Spill it.”

“Okay . . . I was jealous. There. I said it.”

Her jaw dropped. “Jealous? Of what?”

I opened my mouth and closed it, so close to telling her the truth.

Too bad I chickened out.

Fear does that to people. It gets in your head, gives you doubts, plays devil’s advocate, and then stops you from doing something courageous, something that could be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself.

I knew Amber would improve my life, no doubt.

But what if she didn’t feel the same way?

What if she rejected me?

“Scotty?” she said. “Why were you jealous?”

“No comment,” I said.

Amber shook her finger at me as she moved in my direction. “No way. Uh-uh. Nice try.” She reached her hand out and grabbed my arm. “That’s not how it works, mister. I won our bet, fair and square, and now is the time for you to pay up. I need more information. All of it.”

I pulled her hand off my arm without letting go of it. “Sorry, you should have specified that when you made the bet. If you want to hear the rest, you need to make another bet with me.” I snagged her other hand when she reached toward me like she was going to pinch me or poke my side.

If only there was a way to freeze that blessed moment in time.

I was holding both of Amber’s hands and I didn’t want to let go.

She didn’t seem to be in a hurry to pull them away either, her gaze studying me, a curious smile on her face, most likely trying to figure out what was going on between us.

Join the club, Amber!

Suddenly, she lost her smile and her eyes opened wider. “This can’t be happening. It’s wrong on so many levels.” Amber looked worried.

I dropped her hands, wondering if I’d maybe crossed the line somehow.

My heart sank as the fear settled in again.

Had she figured out how much I liked her and now she wanted nothing to do with me?

That was my exact thought until she looked toward the street.