Read Online Burned by Amity Hope - Free Book Online

myself together and gave him my best smile.
    “You have nothing to prove to these people. Remember?” I patted his chest reassuringly. He nodded. “There’s no reason at all you for you to be nervous about seeing them. If they haven’t made time for you, it’s their loss. You need to go in there looking like you don’t give a damn. Understand?”
    “You’re right.” He shook his shoulders, making an effort and visibly shaking off the tension. “I have no reason to give a damn about what anyone thinks of me. I don’t have to talk to anyone I don’t want to talk to. I can leave whenever I feel like it.” I nodded, encouraging him to continue with his own pep talk. “I have a fabulous date. I might,” he frowned, as if he didn’t believe what he was going to say, “even have a good time tonight.”
    I laughed. “You never know. You might just decide you enjoy my company. I’ve been told I can be pretty likeable when I want to be.”
    “You are definitely likeable and you are great company,” he said. He took my hand in his and gave it a tug as he led me down the hallway. “Let’s get going and see where this night takes us.”

Chapter7
    Jake’s leg bounced up and down with frenetic energy. I clamped my hand down on his knee, pressing it into stillness. I glanced at him and raised my eyebrows. He hadn’t been kidding. He really, really didn’t want to be here. He gave me a sheepish look but didn’t bother even trying to fake a smile.
    I gave his knee a squeeze and left my hand right where it was. With gentle pressure I kept it in place. Even with his knee stilled, I could feel his tension.
    The wedding was over. The rows ahead of us were being summarily dismissed. We remained seated in the last row as we impatiently waited our turn. The wedding itself had been beautiful. The ocean was the backdrop. The glowing orange blaze of the sun shone down on the water making it glisten like liquid gold. The timing had been expertly planned. It wouldn’t be much longer before the sun would have descended enough to make it difficult to look into the horizon.
    The day had cooperated beautifully. There was a gentle breeze and a brilliantly colored sky. It was striated with shades of peach, plum, and a glowing amber.
    Behind us, I heard the music start up. An orchestra of course.
    The reception would take place on the sprawling lawn behind us, under a canopy of white. The grounds of the historic hotel were surrounded by an award winning garden. A floral scent lingered in the air.
    When we’d arrived, Jake had insisted on having the usher seat us right away. It was his blatant attempt to avoid having to mingle with anyone. His reprieve was about to end. It was almost our turn to be dismissed.
    His knee gave a sharp little jump under my palm.
    “What do you think we’ll get for dinner?” I whispered as I leaned in close.
    “What?” He frowned at me in confusion, my question taking him by surprise and taking his mind of everything else. Just as I had meant for it to.
    “I’m guessing something completely pretentious. Liver pate, caviar…tripe?”
    He arched an eyebrow at me. “Tripe?” he asked incredulously.
    I shrugged. “I could really go for a bacon cheeseburger. Maybe we’ll have to head to the café when this is all over.”
    “I think that at the very least, you deserve a burger when this is all over.” He smiled ruefully and my heart tumbled a bit. I hated that he was so uncomfortable. I was happy to provide a distraction in whatever way I could.
    As I looked around, I could see how this might be a bit overwhelming. I’d been to my share of weddings but none as huge or as elegant as this one. The decorations alone probably cost as much as my car.
    I had spent the better part of the time trying to ignore the glare from a gorgeous brunette across the aisle. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I gave Jake a gentle nudge. “That wouldn’t happen to be the notorious ex, would it?”
    He didn’t