Page 58

The doorbell rings ten minutes after six, making my heart jump in my chest.

“Can you get that?” Scarlett calls from the kitchen.

The thumping in my chest moves up to my ears, and I wipe my hands on my jeans as I walk to the door and open it.

Bryce walks in first, hands full of flowers. He hands me a bouquet and hugs me.

“Where are Scarlett and Penny?” he asks, holding one bouquet in each hand.

“Kitchen and bedroom,” I answer as he walks past, making room for Brody.

“Amelia,” Brody gives me a small smile. Of the three Wilson brothers, he’s the one I hang out with the least. He’s as big as Blake, but his features are a little smoother. Brody is considered the most handsome of the Wilson brothers by most. But I’ve always been put off by the fact that half the time he wears a mischievous look on his face, like he doesn’t take anything seriously, while the other half, he scowls like he’s mad at the world. He’s too intense for me. I prefer Blake’s nonchalance and Bryce’s friendliness. He gives me a half hug, his other hand too busy holding a carton of wine. “How are you doing?”

I sigh. It’s the doing that gets me. Before the separation, people would ask me “How are you?” or “What’s up?” Now it’s “How are you doing?” like they need that extra word to let me know that they know that my life is shit.

“I’m good.”

He nods, not knowing what else to say, and walks toward the kitchen.

Blake is next. Has he always looked this good? He’s wearing a T-shirt, which leaves his perfectly sculpted arms on display, one corner tucked into the front of his jeans. His tussled hair is gelled, giving him a wet, bedroom look that has lurid memories flooding into my brain.

Shit, do I hug him?

Bryce and Brody both hugged me, it would be weird not to hug Blake too. Yet I don’t know if I dare. Hugging him might be too personal.

I’m frozen with indecision as he walks into the room.

Finally, desperate to do something, I put my hand out for a handshake just as he moves in for a hug, squeezing my hand against his chest.

I inhale. Lemon and nutmeg. And I’m back in his bedroom as he’s using the hands that are currently resting on my back to awaken every hidden part of my body. Oh, that smell! My nipples harden and heat gathers in my core.

He pulls back.

“Hey,” he says as he walks away from me to join his brothers as if I didn’t just almost burst into flames from his touch.

“Hey,” I answer, but he’s already gone.

I close the door and follow them.

Blake gave nothing away. Is he mad about how we left things off? Does he not care and just wants to pretend nothing happened?

I don’t want him to be mad at me, but for some reason the thought that he doesn’t care feels even worse.

Bryce and Blake are in the living room. Bryce hands Penny a bouquet and she practically squeals.

“I’m going to keep them in my room,” she says, beaming. “Auntie Amelia, look!”

“They’re beautiful,” I say, and show her mine. “I’ll ask your mom if she has a vase we can put them in.”

Bryce and Blake high-five Chase as I walk into the kitchen.

“What? You like wine. It's what you always order when I work at the bar.” Brody holds up the carton he brought with him. I recognize it as the cheap stuff we used to drink as teenagers. The taste is horrible, and it only gets worse the next day.

“I prefer it from a bottle,” Scarlett mumbles, not meeting Brody’s eyes. “You want a glass?”

“No.” Brody makes it sound like the most ridiculous idea she’s ever had. “I’ll have beer.”

Scarlett throws her hands in the air, then points to the fridge.