Page 78 of No Ordinary Love

Kath's eyes zeroed in on me almost immediately, and she nudged Shelby as they made their way toward us. Kath was in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, and Shelby was in an equally chic outfit. They looked like they'd just stepped out of a high-fashion magazine spread, but I knew better than to be impressed. I knew what was beneath the glossy exterior.

"Amara, Gemma," Kath greeted us, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she leaned against the bar. "How lovely to see you here."

Shelby snickered, her eyes narrowing as she glanced between us. "Didn't expect to run into you two."

"Funny," Gemma shot back, her tone biting. "We could say the same thing."

Kath's smile didn't reach her eyes as she looked me in the eye. "So, Amara, how's life? Still, playing with Jax? Or have you moved on to something more…in your league?"

"Or someone more in her league," Shelby quipped.

"Christ, you both are like mean girls from high school," Gemma snapped. "Seriously? Grow the fuck up."

Kath glared at Gemma.

"Get going, ladies; we're not interested in chit-chatting with you." I waved a hand at them as if they were wild animals I was shooing away.

Kath's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly covered it with a tight-lipped smile. "Amara, I pity you. No matter how much you pine after Lucas, you'll never have him. He's a Covington—and he'smine."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I picked up my glass and raised it in a mock toast.

They were hoping for a showdown, hoping I'd get upset. But the truth was, they were just behaving like mean girls, exactly as Gemma had pointed out. And I realized, with a sudden sense of calm, that they didn't bother me. For the first time since meeting Lucas, I felt completely secure about him and about us. I trusted him. He wasn't going anywhere except my bed.

Shelby scoffed, clearly unimpressed, but there was a hint of unease in her eyes. "You're out of your depth with Lucas."

"Maybe," I replied nonchalantly. "But at least I'm not drowning in my bitterness."

Gemma grinned at Shelby. "I hear that Flynn is sleeping with his tennis coach. How do you stand all that infidelity?"

"Shut up," Shelby choked out. "He's not."

"He is." Gemma was enjoying the show, especially since she'd been telling me to fight back when Lucas's family and friends behaved poorly.

Kath's expression hardened. "You bitch! Well, we'll see how long that confidence lasts. I doubt Lucas will be around to catch you when you fall."

I smiled a slow, satisfied smile that made Kath's eyes narrow. "I'm not the one who needs catching, Kath. Maybe you should think about who's really standing on shaky ground."

"Kath, Shelby," Lucas spoke softly.

Kath and Shelby turned to face my boyfriend. I wished I could see their faces.

"I don't think you're doing anyone any good by making a scene here at Magnolia's."

Kath cleared her throat. "We were just saying hello to Amara and Gemma, and they were the ones who—"

"I'm not talking to you, Kath; you're not my problem. But Shelby, if you speak to my girlfriend—and future wife—that way you just did, you and I are going to have bigger problems than we already do."

Shelby was taken aback. Lucasneveradmonished her. He was the indulgent brother who let his baby sister run amok.

"Lucas, what's wrong with you?" she asked shakily.

"Everything is right with me, darlin'. Now, there are several restaurants close by; I insist you go eat elsewhere."

"You can't tell us—" Kath began, but fell silent when Lucas glared at her pointedly.

"Keep your voice down," Lucas muttered. "You're on thin ice with me, Kath, so don't push it. Please, leave, find another restaurant."

Once Kath and Shelby left, Lucas came to me and dropped a kiss on my mouth. "You doing okay?"

---