Amelia’s brows rose. “A bench?”
“It has sentimental value. Lots of people propose there.”
Amelia’s brows froze in position. “What?”
Nate shook his head. “Whoa, I’m not proposing.”
His quick response hurt her feelings. Though a part of Amelia knew marriage was not in her near future, did he have to respond with such disgust? Amelia faked a smile and inhaled. What was the point of her staying in Southwood if there was no future with Nate? Sure, there was more to staying in Southwood than a man. She’d reconnected with her family and the idea of reopening the ice-cream parlor was beginning to take shape. Her future was not based on a man, but still, Amelia decided to keep the truth about her job to herself.
“You’re quiet now,” noted Nate.
Amelia exhaled. “I’m fine.”
Whether or not he believed her, Nate nodded and carried on the conversation, giving her a history lesson about his island. Another family member came over and said hello. Nate made his introductions and then asked if she minded if he stepped outside with him for a moment. Needing a break from him, Amelia offered a smile of permission. With Nate away, her eyes wandered toward the dance floor to where she thought she’d spotted Natalia. The dark hair and the height looked to be the same. Curious, Amelia pushed her chair away from the table. She had to get a better look.
Careful not trip on the silver four-inch silver heels Lexi insisted would “make the outfit,” Amelia made her way down the crystal staircase through the crowds of salsa dancers. The couple she thought she’d seen had disappeared. Amelia stood in the center of the dance floor feeling foolish as hell. What would she have done if she spotted Natalia? Called who? Rory? Her film crew? William Vickers? Amelia shuddered at the thought.
What did any of it matter? She wanted to stay in Southwood. She’d already transferred the money to Cay’s account. She’d chosen Southwood. She’d chosen the opportunity to be with Nate, even if he wasn’t sure about their future. Amelia started to turn on her heels to head back to the table. Out of the corner of her eye she thought she spotted another familiar face, the runaway bride from the Ramos-Montenegro wedding earlier this summer. Grace, was it? Jesus, of all the times to not have her work phone! More importantly, of all the times to consider stepping down from her position at MET. If that was really Grace Montenegro or if that really had been Natalia, Amelia stood the chance to score TV gold.
“You didn’t want to wait for me to dance?”
Heart racing, Amelia glanced upward. Butterflies floated against her rib cage at the sight of Nate standing in front of her. The tempo of a rumba pounded through the dance floor. Nate pulled her up against his body and, as usual, swept her off her feet. All doubts left when she was in his arms.
* * *
The following evening’s main event for the weekend centered on the Crystal Coquí Ball. Several members of the Reyes-Torres families arrived in the ballroom. Men were dressed in tuxedos and women in their finest gowns. For once Amelia did not feel like a sore thumb sticking out among gorgeous people. Lexi and her glam squad had bombarded and taken over the hotel room, fortunately a few minutes after Nate and Amelia had finished another round of lovemaking. Two hours after the first knock on the door, Amelia stepped out into the living room in a formfitting peach gown. The shape of the halter top gave her cleavage for days. Judging from the way Nate’s jaw dropped, she looked good.
A Caribbean band played in the background as guests arrived. A group of paparazzi hounded the patrons from the entrance. Amelia wished she had a camera just to capture all the beauty. Tonight’s event was a Caribbean Done Good evening, celebrating the history makers. Classic art hung from the walls with spotlights perched underneath. Wineglasses clinked, and the smell of delicious food floated through the air.
“Are you glad you came?”
Amelia smiled up and over at her dinner date. The tuxedo fit Nate like a glove. His close-cropped hair reminded her of their first night together. His green eyes lit up when he smiled. Tonight he was her personal James Bond. “I’m honored to be here.”
“This can’t be better than being at a TV premiere,” Kimber said, leaning forward. She sat at the same table with them, dressed in a royal blue, kid-length strapless gown.
Nate cut his eyes at his niece. “We’re not going to make Amelia think about her old job.”
“There is no old job.”
The voice came from behind Amelia and Nate’s chair. The two of them spun around. The moment Amelia spied the intruder. “Brittany.”
Amelia didn’t realize she and Nate had spoken at the same time until Nate continued speaking. “Why are you still here?”
Still here? Why was she even here in the first place?
“Nate, what’s going on?” Nate’s mother asked.
“Nada.” Nate stood up from the table. “Brittany, may I speak to you in private?”
A few people from the nearby tables began to watch the interaction. In her previous job this TV gold moment would have made her signal for two cameras, one on Nate’s narrowing eyebrows and Brittany’s faux innocent, blinking lashes. This awkward moment was about to bring embarrassment to these people who’d been nothing but nice to her. Nate whisked Brittany off. By no means did Amelia plan on letting them speak together. She teetered in her heels down the private hallway and passed smiles to the guests. The woman seated at the table filled with older people was no doubt Grace Montenegro. In an attempt to get another visual on the runaway bride, Amelia bounced squarely into another figure. An apology flew out of her mouth before she recognized the face.
“Amelia?”
“Natalia?”
Without all the extra makeup, eyelashes and makeup, Natalia looked like a regular person. She wore her hair in a side bun, with no extra extensions. Mascara edged her lashes but did not overpower her eyes. With Amelia in stilettos and Natalia in flats, they were the same height. Both recognizing the drastic changes in each other, the women embraced each other.
“Where have you been?” Amelia asked.