Page 89 of Beautiful Storm

“Eh. You’re no fun.”

My eyes find Amelia again, and when I catch her gaze, my smile instantly returns. Although, because it’s us, it’s more like a smirk. She rolls her eyes just as Lainey steps into my line of sight, blocking my view. “I hope that smile’s reserved for the mother of your child,” she says, her voice a lot quieter than Thomas’s was. “Not the gorgeous blonde standing next to her.”

I shoot her an expression that says, “you’re kidding me, right” and she laughs.

“What? I’m just reminding you to keep it in your pants.”

“Thanks,” I deadpan. “Whatever would I do without your guidance?”

“I often wonder the same. But you’re smiling at Amelia, right?” she asks again, just to clarify, and I take the opportunity to piss her off.

“Nope,” I lie, popping thep. “It’s definitely the blonde.”

I walk away and leave my words hanging in the air, picturing Lainey’s shock, but when Thomas chuckles, I know he told her I was lying.

And of course I was lying.

I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since I agreed not to. I haven’t even had the urge.Fuck, I really am changing.

As I move around the many conversations, I catch Amelia introducing Hayley to her crew members before disappearing inside, and I can’t help but follow her. I keep to myself as a few of my teammates grab drinks but as soon as we’re alone, I approach her, watching as a sassy smile lights up her features.

“What can I do for you, Luke?” she asks as she searches through her bag, her smile peeking out through the hair that’s falling in front of her face, making me want to lift her chin to look at me.

“The list is endless, Amelia. But for now, I’m checking up on you.”

Her eyes flash to mine and her sass instantly fades. “Thank you. I’m good. Tired but good.”

“Have—”

“Yes, I’ve been trying to get enough sleep. It just evades me.”

“How did you know I was going to ask that?”

“Call it intuition.” She bites back her smile. “But I appreciate that you asked.”

“It’s strange, you know?”

“What is?”

“Knowing—”I glance around the room to make sure we’re alone. “Knowing that you’re growing our baby and not being able to do a damn thing to help. Once Bean comes along things will be different, but right now, I can’t do anything.” My brows furrow and I blink a few times before huffing out a laugh. “Sorry, that’s not your problem. I don’t know why I said that. I didn’t mean to make this about me.”

Amelia’s gaze softens before her face lights up with a warmth I haven’t seen in a while. “I can’t imagine how that feels, but you have every right to be feeling that way. And let me tell you, you’re helping plenty. I—”

“Amelia,” her first AD calls through the open doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but can we borrow you for a minute?”

“Of course. I’ll be out in a second.” Her AD disappears and she turns my way. “I better go… but thank you.”

“Anytime. And when you want me on camera, I’m ready for my moment,” I joke, needing the energy between us to return to normal.

“Don’t hold your breath.” Amelia shakes her head with a laugh as she walks away, and I chuckle, grabbing another drink and making my way back outside.

Though, my thoughts don't leave her. It’s not just the baby situation that’s strange—it’s everything. My life is completelydifferent now than it was six months ago. But it’s my life and I’m going to have to get used to it.

Time passes as I chat with the guys, and while the filming is obviously staged, they get what they need much faster than I would have thought, and before long the music is turned up and everyone starts to relax. If it was me, I’d be accidentallyon purposeleaving the cameras running for the rest of the afternoon. I can guarantee the footage from this point on will be much more interesting. But I’m not a filmmaker. I just married one.

I smile to myself as Hayley wanders over, her perfectly manicured brows raised and her lips pulled into a wry smile. I don’t know her at all, but I have a sister and I have Amelia, so I know enough to guess she’s about to sass me.

“Luke Bennett. Number forty-two. The man of the hour. The baby daddy. Thehusband.”What is that accent?Wait? She’s Australian? And an actress. Oh, this is too good.

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