Page 3 of No Ordinary Love

"Amara?

"I…my plane landed early, and Lucas said he doesn't love me and…." I felt hysteria climb through me.

"What? Your plane landed early and Lucas said what?

"I need a—"

"Where are you?

"Driving home…the townhouse. It's not home anymore, is it?" I had no idea why I was asking Basil; how would he possibly know the answer to that?

"I'll be there."

Basil lived a few blocks away. We'd been so excited when I told him where Lucas and I were buying a home. Now, I'd have to find a new place to live…alone.

"I need to pack. You know…pack things for…living."

"Yeah, I know, Sunshine. Drive carefully. Okay?"

I hung up and felt everything inside me protest what I was intending to do. I loved Lucas. I loved him so much. Since I met him two years ago while I was doing a case study on LPC, Lowcountry Provisions Company, his family's company that was started by a Covington in the early 1800s—I'd known he was the one for me.

Six months ago, when he suggested we move in together, I'd unabashedly said yes. When I told him I loved him, he didn't respond in kind but instead showered me with what I thoughtwaslove. Now I knew it was a red flag I'd ignored.

When his family mistreated me, Lucasdidn'tdefend me. He told me to shrug it off. "They're set in their ways. Don't worry about it."

That should've been my second red flag.

Hindsight was a bitch!

But I thought I could win the Covingtons over. It was only Patsy and his sister Shelby who openly disliked me—Rena, the matriarch, the grand dame, simply ignored me. She was stiff as a board with everyone except Lucas, whom she adored. The truth was, I had no idea how Rena really felt about me. What I did know but chose to ignore was that all of them, including Rena, loved Lucas's ex—the one who dumped him for his now former friend. It was a story worthy of a soap opera!

Kath and Mercer had been engaged, but now it seemed she was single again, and she wanted Lucas, who had apparently been waiting for her. And since there were no consolation prizes given out in this game, I was to be discarded, just as I feared since I met Lucas.

How would he do it? Would he just tell me to get out and stay away? Would he be kind and say he was sorry he always loved Kath? Would he be an asshole and hurt me? Would he pity me? I hoped not because that would destroy me.

I knew I was being a coward, leaving before giving Lucas a chance to speak with me. Would he be relieved that I made this easier for him by walking away before he could dump me?

Oh God! I stopped breathing, my heart hammering. How would I stand it if he washappythat we were over?

Someone honked, and I realized that the light had changed from red to green, and I was still parked, analyzing the mess my life had become.

Green for Go, Amara.

Go.

Chapter 2

Lucas

Ilooked at my phone. Amara had not responded to my text messages. I wondered if her flight had been delayed. She was supposed to have arrived a half hour ago.

I stood on the balcony of my suite and looked at the vast gardens of the Covington estate. My conversation with my mother had jolted me. Kath was single again. She wanted to come back to me. It felt damned good to hear that. For years, I had to swallow my pride whenever I saw her with Mercer, feeling the sting of her choosing him over me.

Kath had told me several times in the past five years that she wasn't happy but didn't know how to leave Mercer without hurting him. Was I in that same place with Amara?

Fuck no! I was happy with Amara. I was content with her. We had fun together. The sex was amazing. The only problem I had with her was how she didn't seem to be interested in being Mrs. Covington. Kath had been groomed for that job. She worked atLPC, the Covington family business since we'd bought Bellamy Foods, Kath's family business. She'd come in as the CFO for LPC, the role she'd held at Bellamy Foods. She was smart and knew our business.

No one could say Amara wasn't intelligent. With a PhD in communications, she taught and researched women's health communication. She was just a different kind of brilliant.

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