Read Online Burned by Amity Hope - Free Book Online Page A

have to even look. He just nodded. I realized he obviously had noticed her too.
    “That would be her.”
    “Huh,” I said with a grin. “Have you seen the evil looks I’m getting from her? It’s so obvious she’s jealous I’m with you.” I thought that would give his ego a much needed boost.
    “Nah,” he said with a chuckle. “If she’s giving you evil looks it’s because she’s pissed I brought a date that’s prettier than she is.”
    I swatted his shoulder playfully. “Why, Mr. Thompson, you are just full of compliments tonight!”
    He shrugged but he wore a smile. “I’m just telling the truth.”
    I shouldn’t have felt a little flutter in my chest at hearing those words, but I did. Our row stood and we joined the flood of people spilling out onto the lawn. Jake gripped my hand in his. I was under no allusions that it was a romantic gesture. He had a death grip on me, as if I was his life preserver in this potentially tumultuous sea of people.
    Before I could remind him that this ordeal was half over, a pretty little blonde, probably a few years younger than us, bolted out of the crowd.
    “Jake!” she cried as she threw herself at him.
    “Hey, Maggie!” he said in greeting. Then he mouthed, “My sister.” He hugged her back and she stepped to the side, eyeing me curiously as he released her.
    “I’m so glad you showed up. I figured you’d find an excuse not to come.”
    “Are Mom and Frederic here?” He looked nervous as he scanned the crowd.
    Maggie put her hand on his elbow, it was a reassuring gesture and I knew right then that I liked her. “Mom’s here, somewhere. Dad had a business conference out east that he couldn’t get out of.”
    Jake nodded and he visibly relaxed.
    “Who’s your friend?” she asked. Her curious perusal of me had turned wary. Instead of finding it offensive, I was slightly amused at the obvious protectiveness that she felt toward her older brother.
    “Oh, sorry. Maggie, this is my friend Lanna,” he said.
    “I’m here for moral support,” I whispered.
    She smiled as she gave Jake a questioning look.
    “You know I hate these things,” he said. “She was nice enough to come with so I didn’t have to show up like some dateless loser.”
    “You’re not a loser,” we both said at the same time. We looked at each other and both smiled.
    “Yeah, well, thanks,” he said as he shook his head at the two of us.
    She looped her arm through his. “Let’s go find our table.” She motioned for me to follow.
    “Uh, Mags, I’m pretty sure we aren’t sitting together. I’m actually surprised I was even invited to this thing. I’m probably seated at the table reserved for the other black sheep.”
    “You mean like our dear cousin Jax, who decided to give up his high-powered job to join the Peace Corps? Because you’d be absolutely right. Fortunately for you, while you waited to be released out of the dreadful last row, I was busy rearranging.”
    He frowned at her. “Rearranging what?”
    She beamed at him. “Place cards, silly! Jax is now sitting next to mom and I ,” she said dramatically, “am sitting next to you.”
    A laugh slipped out of my mouth. “I love this girl,” I said to Jake.
    She looked at me and gave me a huge grin. “Well, how rude of them to think I wouldn’t want to sit with my big bro.”
    Since the day was glorious, tables were set out across the sprawling lawn. Maggie led us to a table that was as far from the head table as we could get and still have a place to eat.
    It was fine by me. I actually liked the spot just fine. It was out of the way. Jake pulled out my chair. My place card was blank. I cocked an eyebrow at him.
    “I sent in my RSVP with a plus one but I didn’t give a name,” he explained. “I’m sure it had the wedding planner in a tizzy.”
    “Feeling optimistic, were you?” I teased.
    Maggie laughed. “Hardly. He was planning on not showing but didn’t want anyone to know.”
    Jake scowled at