Page 88 of Love Unspoken

So, we did it again, sometimes at Darren's place, and sometimes Hayes took us out to a restaurant because he didn't cook.

I'd asked Amias if he still talked to my brother, and he said he'd turned down all invitations from him and Ann for meet-ups. He just didn't want to deal with them. I felt bad because I wondered if I'd broken up their friend's circle and Hayes had set me straight.

"It was just a bad habit…us all spending time together. And honestly, the group has been thinning out. Jackson went to Paris, and David moved to California. Sure, they stop by when they're in town, but we're just a bunch of acquaintances, Naya. You're not breaking up the fucking band or anything. Also, your brother and Amias' ex are assholes."

When I looked at Amias for confirmation, he nodded, "What he said. And we have new friends like Darren now."

"I'm here for Sparky," Darren muttered, "I just tolerate your entitled asses."

We'd had dinner with Ethan and his wife, Jess, and I realized that maybe I didn't suck at socializing.

Darren had told me that Amias was good for me and that he was boosting my confidence. And when I wondered if my self-assurance would remain after Amias left, he told me stop being a ditz.

Nolan had gotten in touch with me to ask if I'd babysit Magnus and I'd gently turned him down. I'd love to see my nephew, I told him, but I wouldn't be their free babysitter any longer. I'd asked if he and Kara would like to come over for dinner with Magnus and he'd said they didn't have the time for that.

I missed my nephew, and I hated that I couldn't see him except if I allowed my brother to use me. I didn't mind babysitting Magnus—but my I deserved to be respected.

That became very obvious when we saw them in Back Bay one Sunday afternoon. April had brought with it all the wonderful things about spring, and we were walking down Newbury Street when we bumped into Nolan, Kara, and Magnus, who was in a pram.

Amias had dragged me to a jewelry store window, wanting to know what my style was.

"My style is paste, Amias. Jewelry that I buy at Marshalls."

"Is that a jewelry store?"

"God, you're such a snob."

"What?"

"It's a retail outlet store. Where do you shop? Never mind, I don't even want to know."

"Is it diamonds?" Amias coaxed.

"Why do you want to know?" I demanded as he pulled me closer and kissed the side of my head.

"Rubies?"

"Amias?"

"Sapphires. I know."

"I like pearls. Okay?"

"Like big strands of pearls or⁠—"

"Dangling pearl earrings." I flicked mine so he could see.

"They're nice."

"They cost me fifteen dollars compared to those here that cost fifteen thousand. My god, why would anyone spend that kind of money on stupid jewelry."

"How much money would be right then?" he asked me.

"Fifteen dollars. You want to buy me jewelry, that's your budget."

"You're so fucking stubborn, Naya."

I took his hand, dragged him away from the store.