Page 29 of No Ordinary Love

I ignored him and caught Emily's eye as she sauntered over with her husband, Ace. "Shelby, Flynn, oh my God, imagine seeing y'all here!"

Shelby's gaze landed on Ace and Emily, familiar faces in our tight-knit, tangled Charleston social scene. They all exchanged the usual hug-kiss routine, while the men shook hands.

"Amara, so great to see you again." Emily pulled me into a warm hug.

Ace leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek. "Hey, gorgeous."

Their greetings were deliberate, a subtle signal to everyone around that I was part of their circle.

"Keep your hands off my girl, Ace," Jax teased good-naturedly.

I hadn't told Emily, Ace, or any of Jax's friends about Lucas, but it looked like they knew (probably because of how small Charleston was) and were supporting me. It felt good, and once again, I wished Lucas's friends had been this way; instead, they were the ones who'd tried to put me down.

"We didn't see you at the Prentiss anniversary." Emily leaned into her husband, a champagne glass in hand.

"We wanted to make it but couldn't. We've beensobusy," Shelby replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me. "Planning the wedding, of course."

My heart skipped a beat.

Emily quirked an eyebrow. "The wedding?"

Shelby tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, didn't you know? Lucas's all but proposed to Kath. It's only a matter of time. I thought you would've heard, Amara, considering how close you two used to be."

Her words hit me like a physical blow, the ground shifting beneath me. I'd heard rumors, of course—seen them together—but hearing it from Shelby, in such a casual, matter-of-fact way, made it real. Too real. I felt Jax's hand tighten around me, grounding me, but the damage was done. I was shattered, my heart breaking all over again.

Lucas was marrying Kath. I wasn't surprised by that announcement; and neither was I was astonished at how much it hurt me. Shouldn't I be over him after all these months instead of moping around like a spineless woman?

"I'm so happy for them. Do give Lucas my best," I crooned, not giving Shelby the satisfaction she sought, though the words tasted like ash in my mouth.

Flynn chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "Don't worry, Amara, I'm sure you'll land on your feet. After all, you've got Jax now, right?"

The sleazy implication in his tone made my stomach turn, and I could feel the bile rising in my throat. I needed to get out of here, away from them, away from their toxic presence.

Ace's jaw clenched. "I think you've got the wrong end of the stick, pal. Jax is the lucky one to have someone like Amara give his ugly mug any attention."

"Truer words have not been said." Jax kissed the side of my head.

I felt weak and stupid, having to be held up by so many people, all because of Lucas.

At least no one can see what's in my heart and mind. I'm going to be okay. I'm going to be absolutely fine.

Flynn chuckled. "And here Lucas thought he hurt you; probably a good thing he left you if you so quickly moved on, right?"

"Crossing lines, Flynn," Jax warned.

"Oh please, Jax, Amara has been seeking a man in Charleston society and—" Shelby began.

"Excuse, us, but I've had enough of your company," Jax smoothly cut her off. "In the future, Shelby, Flynn, you see either Amara or me, just keep walkin', yeah? I don't think I want to mix with uncouth assholes like you."

There was a gasp that ran through the group and from the few people who overhead Jax, who hadn't tempered his volume; Emily smirked, and Ace openly laughed.

Jax led me away from the crowd and down to the water's edge, where the noise of the party faded into the background, replaced by the soothing sound of the waves. The sand was cool beneath my feet, and the moonlight blanketed us with calm, but I couldn't find any peace in it. Not with Shelby's words still ringing in my ears.

"Amara," Jax said gently, his voice cutting through the fog in my mind. "Talk to me. Tell me how you feel."

I held back my tears but I knew he could hear them in my voice. "Hearing about Lucas and Kath made me realize how much I'm still not over him, and I hate that I still love him, and I hate that he's getting married to…someone else."

Jax was quiet for a moment, his gaze thoughtful as he watched the waves roll in. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, darlin'. I get it. I've been there."

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