His Southern Sweetheart

“If you weren’t going to be my producer, I wasn’t going to film.”

As expected, Natalia had no idea just how her actions affected everyone. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Sure I am,” said Natalia, “and what does that make you? And who are you here with? Did I see Nate Reyes? Are you two here together?”

“One question at a time,” Amelia said, laughing. “Who are you here with?”

Natalia glanced around Amelia’s frame. “Are you wearing a mic?”

“No.”

“So no production crew?”

Amelia shook her head left and right. “I’m taking more time.”

“Is your grandmother okay?” Natalia’s hands flew to her mouth. No polish, no jewels, just a low-key Natalia.

“Yes,” Amelia said with a nod, “she’s better than fine. I am actually here with Nate.”

“Girl,” Natalia hummed.

“Do you want to tell me who you’re with? I thought I saw you last night dancing with some guy.”

Natalia shook her head back and forth. “No, not just yet. He’s special and kind of shy.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were in love.” Amelia cocked her head to the side when Natalia did not deny it. “Natalia!”

“I don’t want to jinx anything,” Natalia whined. “Please don’t say anything to anyone yet.”

If Amelia wanted her job and a promotion, she could leak this information. But what she wanted most right now was a moment alone with Nate. “We’re friends, Natalia,” Amelia assured her. “I promise I won’t say anything.”

Natalia threw her arms around Amelia’s neck and squealed. “T

hank you. Now you go find your man.”

Taking her friend’s advice, Amelia headed off toward the balcony where she last saw Nate’s head. Outside, the ocean air filled her lungs. She spotted Nate’s tall frame against the brick railing. His arms were folded across his chest. Brittany made eye contact with Amelia. Her devilish smirk sent chills down Amelia’s spine.

“Here she is now,” Brittany said. “Ask her yourself.”

“Ask me what?” Amelia stepped over them and sidled up next to Nate. Instinctively he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. The summer night was anything but cold, yet Nate’s touch still warmed her.

Instead of answering her, Brittany held out her phone and pressed a button. A distant conversation began. Amelia closed one eye and tried to pick up the familiarity of the voices. It was a conversation she had with Lexi about her not being fired. How in the hell did she record that? Then she remembered that the bell over the door at Grits and Glam Gowns was broken. Brittany could have walked in at any moment. When Amelia’s confession ended on the recorder, Brittany clicked the stop button and smirked.

“See,” Brittany said, beaming. “I told you I had proof she has been playing you.”

“And I told you last night that I didn’t care what you had on Amelia,” Nate gritted out. “I am with her.”

“You’d take this heathen over me?” Brittany had the audacity to sound shocked. She pressed her hand against her chest. “I came all this way to protect you, Nate. I’m the one who has been here for you, and yet she comes wagging her tail and lying and you just follow.”

Amelia stepped forward. “I suggest since you have more free time these days, you spend them with your grandfather.”

“You leave the good pastor out of this conversation.”

Smugly Amelia grinned. She might not have the cameras to capture the shocked look on Brittany’s face, but it would always be etched in her brain. “Sure I will, if you keep the good pastor out of my grandmother.”

“Excuse me?”

“Why else do you think I left the house?” Amelia asked. “I walked in on the two of them rolling around like a couple of rabbits on the living room floor.”