Page 13 of Jilted
“I’ll walk you out,” Brett said, not caring that Vanessa gave him a dirty look.
“That’s not necessary.” Craig stood. “I’ll walk her out. We’re going to the same place anyway.”
Brett clenched his hands into fists. Of course, Craig would have to rub that in. Brett followed them to the front door. He leaned in and gave Amy a hug. “Are we still on for Friday night?” he whispered.
“Sure.” Her tone was cold, clipped. She released Brett and looked at Craig. “Ready?”
“Yup.”
Inhale deeply, exhale slowly. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly. Brett repeated that half a dozen times as he watched his brother leave with Amy. In that moment, he knew he’d lost Amy in more ways than one. And that hurt like hell.
Brett arrived at Amy’s house exactly at eight, just like he said he would. Even though he lied to Vanessa about what he was doing tonight, he was really looking forward to spending the time with Amy. He’d missed her. He was used to seeing her more often, to talking to her every day about everything.
Knowing their relationship would change was hard to swallow. There was no way he could maintain the same close friendship with Amy while being married to Vanessa. It was simply impossible.
Sure, he and Amy would always be friends; it would just be different now. And he suspected Amy already knew that. She had to. But he was determined to stay friends with Amy – no matter what.
“Amy, I’m here,” he shouted as he entered her house.
“I’m ready.” She walked out of the kitchen wearing a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Simple yet beautiful.
Her chestnut-colored hair was down, cascading around her shoulders. A touch of eye shadow accented her chocolate brown eyes and pink lip gloss made her lips look like they were sparkling. His gaze lingered on her lips a few seconds too long.
“I was thinking we could take a walk along the river and talk after we eat,” she said.
Brett nodded. He had a feeling this was coming. Amy was the type of woman who liked to get things out in the open and face them head on. “Yeah, sure.”
Amy smiled. “Good.”
They left her house and walked down to the corner where the small taco stand was located. For being a food stand, they had surprisingly good food. Amy and Brett ordered their usual crunchy steak tacos with extra sour cream and scorching hot taco sauce. They took a seat at a two-person umbrella table and ate in silence for several moments.
The silence was mildly awkward considering he’d never felt uncomfortable around her a day in his life. He took a deep breath. “What’s on your mind, Amy?”
She finished her iced tea and pushed her food away. “Are you sure you want to do this, Brett?”
“Do what?”
“Marry Vanessa. You haven’t known her very long. Are you absolutely sure about this?” She folded her arms on the table and leaned forward.
He’d asked himself those very same questions not too long ago. After a moment, he nodded. “She’s the one, Amy. I know it. I can’t explain it, but I know.” At least, that’s what he kept telling himself. He wasn’t sure he believed that though.
Amy gave him a sad smile. “Then I want nothing more than to see you happy.”
Brett reached across the table and took her hand into his. “Thank you, that means a lot. You’re my best friend. I need you by my side through this.”
She pulled her hand out of his. “I would never dream of missing your wedding, Brett, but you know that...”
“Yeah, I know.” He hung his head and sighed. “Things are going to change between us.”
“They already have,” she said quietly.
He raised his head and looked at her pointedly. “We will always be friends, Amy. Always.”
She had to know that. The two of them had been friends far too long to have it end just because he was getting married. There was no reason Amy couldn’t be friends with both him and Vanessa. And he was making progress convincing Vanessa that Amy wasn’t a threat to their marriage.
“I’ve decided I’m going to run the new studio in Morris County. You can continue to teach lessons at the current studio.”
“What?” He must’ve misheard her. “We won’t be teaching together?”
