Page 146 of Beautiful Storm

“You never announced it.”

“Yes, I did.” He scoffs. “But believe it or not, no one cared so it didn’t make the headlines.”

“Okay.”

“That’s not the issue, Amelia.”

“Then what is?”

“I met with him yesterday.”

My eyes widen. “You met with him?”

“Yes, and he’s going to release news of the mansion fire and pin it on Luke. He’s been talking to a lot of people and claims to know things. Only he doesn’t know everything. He was hoping I’d throw you under the bus because he assumed we ended badly.”

We did end badly, but that’s not important.

“What does he know and what did you tell him?”

“Jesus, Ames. I told him nothing. If anything I threw myself under the bus. I said everyone was there, including me, and that it was a house party that got out of control. There was no one to blame. But he knows Luke was arrested as a kid, so I don’t know if he’s going to try and spin it somehow.”

Tension rises in my chest and Luke must read it in my expression because he stands up this time, walking over to grab my hand. “Fucking Jake,” I say, locking eyes with Luke, so he knows it’s not Preston I’m worried about.

“If he comes to you,” Preston continues, “you need to plead ignorance. I wouldn’t put it past him to pretend he knows more than he does. He was hinting at that with me.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong. So why would you help Luke?”

“I was kind of hoping it might make up for me being an asshole.”

“Wow, okay. I’m… I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you forgive me. I was a dick and I didn’t appreciate what I had. But maybe that was for the best. There was always something between you and Luke. I knew it. Hell, everyoneknew it. I think you were the only two who never saw it. And maybe this is how it was always meant to be.”

I pull the phone away from my ear to check that it’s really Preston on the call before responding. “Thank you, Preston. I appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome. Take care.” I move to hang up but he calls out, “Congratulations, by the way. You’re going to be an amazing mom. And I know that for sure because you always took care of me.”

“Bye, Preston.”

I blink a few times before turning back to Luke, a mixture of shock and anger coursing through me. “Is this going to be our life? People always trying to get in the way? Always creating problems?”

“Not if we don’t let them.”

“Jake’s trying to cause issues with you and the fire. He told Preston he’s going to leak the story to the media, but my guess is—”

Someone knocks and the door opens without me inviting them to come in.

“Amelia.” Tom enters the room with purpose before coming to a halt when he finds Luke “And Luke. Hi.”

“Hello, Tom. Nice to see you again.” Luke smiles.

“You too. I’ve been hearing your name a lot lately.” Tom’s lips purse but to his credit, Luke’s smile remains.

“All good things I’m sure,” he responds, forcing me to bite back a grin.Only Luke.

“Of course. Do you mind if I have a word with Amelia?”

“Nope. Go for it.” He stays standing by my side, and I swear it makes me love him a little more, but I know what’s coming.

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