Page 65 of Savannah Sweethearts

She shook her head. “No. I like to watch happy couples ride off into the sunset. The wedding might be over, but their lives are just starting.”

While her own marriage to my father hadn’t worked out, my mother was a perpetual romantic. She always believed in the power of love and romance. I was something more of a skeptic.

Amaya came towards us with lightning speed. “Bride forgot her bag. I’m meeting them in the back.” She sped past, again never wavering on the three-inch heels.

“She works hard.” I watched her backside sway side to side as she disappeared again. It was a decidedly nice backside.

Another wink came from my mother. “So do you, Orlando. And you’re both in the wedding business.”

“Mother.” I shot her a look that I hoped said to not meddle, but I laughed instead. Cordelia Daniels was a romantic through and through. And besides, I was not necessarily in the wedding business. I was taking over, yes, but I had it in my mind to sell the place.

“I did not say a thing. Just that you have similarities.” She patted my arm, laughed a little, and took off down the hall with a wave.

Servers began piling up used plates and clearing things as the party began to wrap up. A few guests returned to the dance floor. The party had booked the ballroom for another hour. Figuring my chance to see Amaya again was over, I turned and nearly smacked right into her.

“You waited? Did I see Cordelia out here?” She looked around.

“She came out to check on things.” I waved my arm around in a sweeping motion.

“She’s so sweet. And so wise. You’re lucky to have a mother like her.” She looked at the dainty watch on her wrist. It was a real watch, not a smart one. “Sorry, I’m on the clock for thirty more minutes. I have to get a few things done. Thank you for dancing with me. I’m sure I’ll see you again some time.”

“Of course. See you around.” What else could I say? I barely knew the girl, even if I had a mind to get to know her better.

She once again sped off, not giving me time to even think about getting her number. Thankfully I was fairly certain it would be in my mother’s office. Amaya was like a hummingbird always flitting around. Did she ever stop to rest? I would have to find out.

Amaya

The next weekend I loaded up my little compact car, picked up my sister, and headed to Tybee Island for a day of relaxation. I didn’t get to see Linaya as often as I liked since she was a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, or SCAD, and my own weekends were usually booked.

As we spread a blanket on the sand, Linaya began to fidget and could not settle in one spot. I considered asking what was wrong, but it was usually best to let Linaya speak on her own time.

I decided to stick to a neutral topic. “How’s school?”

She was quick to answer. “It’s really good. I’m ready to graduate. Only a few more classes.” Linaya was majoring in fashion design. I had no idea what would come of that degree, but our parents seemed assured that she would find a profitable career.

Not that I had room to talk. I managed to get an English degree and now I was a professional bridesmaid. It was a good thing I had taken some business classes because those had been well worthwhile. Who knew what would happen in a few years when I was too old to be a bridesmaid for everyone in the world.

At only twenty-one, Linaya was still headstrong and trying to find her way in the world. I had to laugh inwardly at the thought. I was only twenty-six and still trying to find my way in the world as well. I’m not as headstrong. Linaya did everything full-steam ahead like a train while I was a little more flighty, like a bird.

“I met someone.” Linaya’s words rang out into the air twenty minutes after we arrived.

That’s why she had been looking nervous. I took a deep breath and held my gaze at the book in front of me. While the words were now unfocused, I didn’t want to look surprised. “Oh yeah?”

“He’s older.”

“Okay.”

“He’s thirty-five.”

Now I turned to look at her, but I kept my face as calm as I could. The sunglasses I wore hid my widened eyes. Inwardly I was shouting, Thirty-five? You’re still a baby and he’s probably divorced with kids! THIRTY-FIVE?

“He’s a professor.”

It kept getting worse and worse. No wonder she looked so worried. There was no way our parents would approve and the way we were raised, your parents had to approve of anyone you might bring home. Our paternal grandmother was from Thailand, and while our father was born in Georgia, some of those Thai customs were still held close. Especially when it came to dating.

Not to mention my own disastrous dating life. Kyle the creep had two-timed me for six months, which was eight months too long. It was only when his other girlfriend showed up at my doorstep pregnant that I learned the truth. He had been a smooth talker and I had wanted to believe him. What a fool I had been. I didn’t want my sister to become one as well.

“Linaya. What on earth?” I flipped my book upside down and peered over my sunglasses. “Is he your professor?”

---