She linked her fingers with his and started toward his parents. “C’mon, Cameron. The Pity Party Club needs to have a meeting.”
“You don’t know what you’re getting into,” Trevor grumbled.
Samantha beamed a bright smile at Amelia. “Hi!” She gave her a part hug, Trevor refusing to drop Samantha’s hand and making it a little awkward. “I didn’t get to talk to you at the rehearsal earlier tonight.”
“I know. I must say, I was a little concerned about the song choice, although you did sing it beautifully.” She waved her hand at Addie. “But Addie told me that it was a joke. You’re saving the real song until tomorrow.”
“That’s right.” She tugged Trevor to stand beside her. “We’re excited. I want to run through it a few times later tonight, but we’ll be good to go in time for the wedding.” She shifted her attention to his dad. “I don’t think anyone introduced us.”
Nicolas Johnson tore his eyes away from Trevor. “No. He didn’t.”
Trevor’s jaw bunched. “This is Samantha Nilsson.”
“I recognized her from the picture.” His lips pulled back in an attempt at a smile. “I’m Nick Johnson. It’s nice to meet you.”
Samantha grinned. “Did you know that you and Trevor have the same chin and nose.” She looked up at Trevor and back at Nick. At this point, she’d ramble on until everyone sat down to dinner just to keep the peace.
Amelia brightened. “Yes. They do. They are alike in many ways.” She cut a concerned look at her husband. “Both stubborn.”
“Persistent.” Samantha nodded and patted Trevor on the chest. “He wouldn’t stop until I agreed to go on a date with him. No matter how many times I told him no. And now look at us.”
“I was wondering if your involvement with Ms. Nilsson meant that you'd be moving to New York.”
“Well,” Samantha began, trying to stall. “We haven’t talked—”
“No.”
“Alright,” she murmured. The declaration stung. She was up against a lifetime of hurt. He hadn’t been abused in a traditional sense, but the emotional scars wouldn’t disappear overnight.
He glanced down at her.
She shook her head with a subtle shake. Now wasn’t the time.
“Then, you’re off to lazy around with Grayson?” Nick huffed and crossed his arms. He stood an inch shorter than Trevor, either by nature or by age.
Trevor’s chest puffed out as he took a deep breath, probably to jump into another argument.
“Addie, you haven’t told me where you’re going on your honeymoon.” Samantha stepped directly between Trevor and his father, letting her height provided a decent buffer between the two. “Do you know, Amelia?”
Amelia shook her head. “No. I never did hear.”
Cameron grinned and winked at Addie. “She told me some suggestions, and I made reservations, but she doesn’t know exactly where.” He stepped close to Amelia. “Here, I’ll tell you.”
Amelia brightened considerably. “Oh! How romantic.” She leaned in, her eyes widening as Cameron described the honeymoon.
“I have a few contacts in New York if you do end up there. I’m sure they’d be willing to give you a chance at their firm.” Nick Johnson didn’t know when to quit.
Samantha swiveled her head back to Trevor. Again, that dark intensity doing more to turn her on than it should. She’d have to analyze her behavior later. Or her therapist could do it for her.
One thing she knew, this wasn’t working.
Half the wedding party was outside in the bar area, playing pool. The other half was sitting around in clusters, talking among themselves. And the six of them stood near the entrance, in deep conversation and with Nick and Trevor looking as though they might go at each other’s throats at any point in time.
Cameron’s parents entered the room. The former Sheriff of Statem held a serious expression, identical to one that she’d noticed on Cameron before.
Addie brightened. “Yay! You made it.”
Nick shifted, angling his body away from her and Trevor to shake hands with Jimmy and Tanya Dempsey.