My face falls flat, but quick to save face, I tell her, “No glove, no love, right?”
“I didn’t realize a safe sex talk was part of your breakfast burrito c
ure. Thanks, I guess. Since I’m not exactly having sex with anyone, I think it’s fair to say that I’m as safe as you can get.”
I cross my arms, leaning against the countertop with curiosity. “How about this boyfriend of yours?”
She bows her head. “Nothing to say.”
“C’mon, Miss Edwards always has something to say.”
A laugh, though sinister, escapes her. “There’s literally nothing to say. We barely talk anymore, and I’m pretty sure if you troll his Instagram account, there’s someone else.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey…” Her eyes meet mine, but with a hopeful smile, she releases a breath. “It was bound to happen that one of us would find someone new.”
“You’re beautiful. The guys will be lining up, just like my dad pointed out.” The second it leaves my mouth, I regret telling her she’s beautiful even though I can’t stop thinking about it. But also, the thought of her dating, let alone sleeping with other men, shoots anger through me, followed by this pang I have no idea where it comes from.
“Why… um… thank you.” She clears her throat. “And you’re rather handsome, so I guess it isn’t long before someone actually sleeps over in your bed because you want them to.”
She hops off the stool the same time my phone rings, and Lex Edwards flashes on the screen.
“Lex,” I answer, which stops Amelia dead in her tracks. “Is everything okay?”
“I should be asking you that,” his stern voice echoes over the speaker.
“If you’re calling about last night, Amelia is fine.”
“She’s fine?”
“Yes, I stayed around, then she happily agreed to head home, so I drove her back to campus.”
“You drove her back?” he repeated.
I hated lying to him, and why I feel the need to protect her, I have no clue.
“Of course, the streets are no place for a young girl at night. She’s fine.”
A heavy breath releases. “I’m glad you watched out for her. She hasn’t picked up my calls.”
“I know she had an early breakfast catch-up with a friend or something like that. She mentioned it on the ride home. I wouldn’t worry. She’ll probably call you once done.”
“You’re right…” Lex agrees. “I’m still going to have a word with her.”
“I understand, but perhaps, Lex, you may want to go easy on her. Remember, you were once just like her.”
She closes her eyes, listening, though I can see the worry through her expression.
“I’ll try,” his voice softens. “About Thanksgiving, you’ll join us? We’ve decided to come over, though Charlotte will let Amelia know. I insist since you’re part of the family and also because we have some details to iron out before the acquisition.”
“Sure, I’ll be there.”
Lex hangs up the call as Amelia lets out a loud breath.
“Your clothes, by the way, are washed and in the bedroom.”
Amelia nods quietly. “Why did you lie to my dad?”