Page 96 of Never Quiet

His arms tightened around her and he cupped the side of her head. “I thought…I’m sorry, Amanda.”

Tears welled but she refused to let them fall. “I know. I’m sorry, too. I genuinely like Hayden and I hope, even if he never returns it, that my heart flickers with love for him. So I know it’s possible to love someone other than your brother. That would give me a lot of peace.”

“You’re an incredible woman with a strong sense of self-awareness. I love Erick but men can be the stupidest beasts. I’ve watched my sister suffer them all our lives. Do what you want, take what you deserve, and know that I adore you.”

“Thank you, Chaz.”

The next day, Amanda left the Keys and her months of training behind to embark on her new life in New York.

For three months, she’d lived half a mile from the Harding homes. She knew each time, through her men, when Erick arrived and when he left to return to the mainland.

Amanda was ready to put as much physical distance between them as possible. There were already entire emotional oceans between their present and their night on the ridge.

It hurt but there were bigger things to worry about.

A man who’d promised to be her friend and wasn’t acting like one was quite a bit down the list.

* * *

Amanda loved the city, her building, and her new apartment. Everyone who worked in the tower was kind, friendly, and it went a long way to soothing her so far from home.

Naturally, the best part was being close to Morgan, Harrison, and Callileah. Their New York digs were two floors above her.

Within days of her arrival, she had a full makeover and several photo shoots. Her young friend insisted on setting up Amanda’s official Instagram and Facebook pages.

“Overall, they need to have a certain aesthetic. Slick, sexy, professional. Then you can swoop in with your adorable little goofy posts.”

“I’m not goofy…”

“You are a giant goofball nerd. The biggest, Amanda.”

“Fine. You do the social media and I’ll pay you.”

The teenager snorted. “Get out of here.”

In the end, Callileah was hired as an assistant to Morgan so she had no choice but to take money.

Her uncle took Amanda aside and said, “Darling, the things she’s designing for you will steal your breath.”

Clapping silently, she whispered, “When can I see them?”

“She’s being stubborn. Searching for the right shoes and accessories. She won’t allow you to see anything until she has the entire look perfected.”

“We should have Caroline design specialty clothing tags…”

Morgan’s eyes widened. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. Maybe use a flower for the i. She loves fashion design so much that I don’t think she’s really understanding she could create a business from it.”

Grinning, Amanda said, “Whereas her father is always looking for new ways to make money…”

“I do love it. I just love money.”

“Then let’s make her a ton of it.”

* * *

At the end of her second week in New York, Hayden arranged to take Amanda to dinner for the fourth time since her arrival.

She was dressed in high heels and a gray and white metallic dress that barely cleared her ass. Her only jewelry was a pair of diamond stud earrings.

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