Page 27 of The Lamb and the Llama
Amira palmed his forearm, interrupting his sad thoughts.
“Is there anything wrong?”
He shook his head. He refused to admit to her he wanted her back home with him. That was too selfish a thing. What man would ask her to tank her career just so they could be together? He wouldn’t do that to her. Not now. Not ever.
The rest of the conversation they had over dinner was heavy on planning security detail for all the dignitaries that would attend the talks, but Richard’s thoughts kept redirecting back to losing Amira to her promotion.
Once they got back to the guest house, he was exhausted. Not only was he not used to coming out from behind the desk to do fieldwork but the jetlag had finally caught up with him. It had been three years since he’d had to do a major assignment like this. But he wondered how he’d get any sleep since Amira was on his mind.
“Listen, I’m going to turn in. I’m exhausted from jetlag,” he said to her, bringing a palm to the back of his neck.
“Okay. I’m going to make some tea before I turn in,” she said as she reached for the teapot to fill it.
He thought he heard her say something else, but he was so tired that nothing registered in his brain to turn around.
* * *
She took a lengthy breath to steady her nerves because the chamomile tea wasn’t cutting it. Why had Richard left so quickly? And why didn’t he answer her when she asked if he wanted company tonight? Was he having second thoughts about what happened between them, or was it really just jetlag as he’d said?
More than likely, seeing his ex is what had him in a funk. Richard hadn’t talked to her about Carol, and she couldn’t help but wonder about the two of them. Carol looked absolutely happy with her new man, Ray, but that didn’t mean that Richard didn’t still have feelings for her.
Was that it? Did Richard’s feelings for her pale in comparison to the flame that still burned for Carol?
She had to find out more. She tiptoed to the bedroom, ready to ask him about it, but when she peered in, she saw he was already fast asleep. She sighed.
Maybe I need some fresh air to clear my head.She headed out of the guest house, walking toward the gardens. There, she heard several women’s voices. She stumbled upon the group, who looked happy with their wine while they chatted on the patio.
“I’m sorry. I’ll leave,” Amira said, spinning around.
“Don’t you dare!” Harriet shouted. “You get your little lamb butt back here right now and let us get to know you!”
Amira gave Harriet, Carol, Erika, and Treasure a half-smile before taking refuge in a chair opposite all of them. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Richard’s ex, especially if there was unfinished business between them. Amira instantly felt like that could be the only reason for Richard to turn in early.
“So how long did you last before you were jumping your man’s bones?” Carol asked with a chuckle. “I think collectively it was only a couple of days for us all when we met our mates. Stan really knows how to pick them for sure!” Carol eyed Amira up and down and poured a glass of white wine for her and placed it in front of her.
Amira’s mouth suddenly went bone-dry. She didn’t think that Carol would be the first to speak to her. Amira reached for the glass and took an unladylike gulp before responding.
“Can I plead the fifth? Because I’d be lying if I gave you a definite answer. Zagan’s potion made it nearly impossible for either of us to remember our first date together. We were casing out The Joint the night before you showed up with King Gregor, Harriet.”
“Ah-ha! So, you admit you two have had the hots for each other for a while now! I knew it was a good idea to stick you in the guest house,” said Harriet with a chuckle.
“Can I plead the fifth again?” Amira said with a sigh.
“What’s the matter, Amira?” asked Treasure.
Amira tried to bite the inside of her lip. There was no way she was going to ask whether Carol liked her or not. They all had a job to do so it really didn’t matter, but it sure would be nice if Carol did. It’d make the job a lot easier. But after she took another sip of wine, her voice betrayed her.
“You really don’t like me, do you?” she asked Carol. “At dinner, you said you thought I suited Richard, but that’s not true, is it?” Well crap that sure didn’t come out right. Then again, Amira couldn’t help but think Carol was the key to Richard’s weirdness and her own.
“Whoa, it’s not like that at all,” Carol said, holding her hands up to stop Amira. “I like you just fine. I just have to admit I’m worried about you.”
“Why would you be worried about me?”
“Because Richard, well, he’s not exactly great at relationships,” Carol said finally.
“Richard’s the cheater, right?” Erika piped in.
“Cheater?” Amira asked, horrified.
