Page 10 of The Masks We Burn
Strolling closer to him, I notice a faint blush across his cheeks and bite back laughter. He’s so wrapped up in his fiancé, it’s insane. They remind me of my parents in a way. Lily’s the headstrong one, observant, and stubborn. While Spencer is the calm to her storm, and a supporting hand when she stresses herself into chaos.
He lifts a hand as I approach. “Alright, I’ll see you in a minute. William just got here. Be safe and don’t let Amora get a ticket.”
My spine stiffens when I hear her name.
Amora.
Now that woman there is a fucking tornado.
It should be obvious that she’s coming, being the maid of honor and all, but I guess with everything going on I hadn’t put too much thought into it.
Fuck.
We aren’t exactly cordial with each other after a little mishap back in high school, and every time we see each other you can feel the thick ass animosity sludging through the air.
Almost as if Spencer can hear my thoughts, he runs a hand through his hair. “Behave, yeah?”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Look, man, as long as she acts right, I will. But best believe I’m gonna match her energy.”
He huffs and shakes his head. “No, William. This is for me and Lily. So be the bigger person today.”
Gritting my teeth, I give a curt nod. I haven’t exactly told Spencer the complete truth about what happened between me and her, but even if he did know, I’m sure his request would be the same. And I’ll give that to him. For now.
We enter the shop and are instantly greeted with air so damn sweet, I can practically taste the flavor on my tongue. It’s modern, fitting the aesthetics on the outside, with white tile and iron bistro tables. Display cakes line the back walls, surrounding a pink neon sign with the company’s name.
A small woman with graying hair greets us behind the high glass countertops. “Mr. Hanes?”
She looks between us for a second before Spencer smiles and shakes her hand. “Hello, it’s so nice to meet you. My fiancé should be arriving any minute.”
The baker nods and gestures to a table in the front, set with four chairs and small slips of paper. “I have you all sit right there. Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable, and I’ll be out in a second.”
We thank her and do as told, though it takes me a minute to finagle my large body at the small circular table comfortably.
Only a minute goes by before the front door opens, letting a gust of chilly wind into the shop. It sends the fine hairs on the back of my neck to attention.
Annoyance flits through me at the knowledge I’ll have to tamper down who I am to appease everyone. If anything, it’s her who needs the “behave” speech. I bite down on the inside of my lip, channeling my inner Zen, and slide on a mask of pleasantness, before turning to greet the girls.
Lily stands in front of her friend, her arms out to embrace me in a quick hug. She turns and grabs Spencer, kissing him with a smile. “Hey, you.”
I don’t hear what Spencer says because my eyes are fixed on the one person they shouldn’t be.
It’s been a while, butgoddamn.
Amora stands a few feet back, her tall, slender body bundled in a chunky sweater and black leggings. I’ve always known she’s had an incredibly delicious body, but it’s her hair that catches my eye. It’s… pink. Not like a crazy magenta or neon but more on the bubblegum side. It brings out her slightly tan skin, and her bright ass blue eyes. I’m pretty sure it’s a sin to be that damn fine with an attitude so sour.
I open my mouth to say hi, but in Amora fashion, her lips pull into a tight line as she passes by me, her shoulder just barely missing mine as she does.
It may have been some time since I’ve seen her, but it looks like the grudge is just as strong and she’s going to remain a pain in my ass after all.
CHAPTER FIVE
This wedding is going to cost me my sanity. I’m calling it now.
I’m not sure why the hell I didn’t remember the obviously glaring fact William is Spencer’s best man. It only makes sense he’s going to be at all the planning activities. The bride and groom haven’t agreed on much since this whole process started and have asked for tiebreakers so much, they suggested we come.
Still. This sucks. Like huge, massive Titan balls. Well, if they had any.
I consider what I’ll do to focus through the tension that’s already begun permeating the air around us as I take a seat next to Lily at the bistro table. The damn thing is small enough that when the big oaf sits, our legs are a breath away. The heat, intertwined with the clean scent coasting off his body is a horrible mix of intoxicating and insufferable.
