“No. Hunter. We talked about this. Oh, gosh,” she said helplessly. Covetously.
When they had prepared for their wedding, she had said she only wanted a plain wedding band because she didn’t want to accidentally scratch Peyton. They hadn’t been engaged, she said. It would be silly to wear a ring to signify the handful of hours before they married. They had settled on a platinum band with three baguette diamonds, and there hadn’t been a matching ring, anyway.
Hunter had spotted this one today, though, while he’d been picking out the necklace. Seven baguette diamonds stood at different heights like a miniature city skyline. When it sat nestled against her wedding band, the effect was not unlike the hazy silver shape of Toronto against the glittering water as they’d stood on the shoreline last year.
That sounded far too sentimental and romantic to admit, though.
“People will expect you to wear one, so put it on when we go out. I’ll give you the combination to the safe in the bedroom. You can store it there when you take it off.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She made a micro adjustment to the ring, lashes lowered, voice subdued. When she lifted her face, her smile wasn’t as warm or bright as it had been, making his stomach pitch.
“Careful of my makeup,” she said as he lowered his head to kiss her. “Let’s not give themthatto talk about.”
Amelia was so nervous her hand was clammy in Hunter’s as he drew her into the party.
As if the pressure couldn’t get any worse, their host turned out to be a television personality. His wife held this solstice party every summer to celebrate the longest day of the year. The point was to arrive before sunset, so it was eight o’clock. The rain had ceased and the cloudy horizon was turning pink and pale gold.
Conversation lulled as they entered. Several pairs of curious eyes turned on them.
Amelia felt a pinch on her ring finger and realized she had tightened her grip on Hunter’s hand, causing her new ring to dig into her flesh. What a scaredy-cat.
She didn’t want to think about that ring, either. For a few seconds, she had been charmed and delighted. If the necklace affirmed his joy at having a daughter, the ring must be a symbol of his gladness at marrying her, right?
Then Hunter had reduced its significance to carrying an umbrella in case it rained.People will expect it.
“Hunter!” Their hostess approached with a beaming smile. “We’re so glad you both could make it.”
“So are we.” He introduced Amelia, and they began making the rounds.
Her on-and-off career in the service industry came to her rescue. The ability to gauge when and how much small talk to make was a surefire way to improve tips.
Each time she met someone new, she asked a variation of, “Where’s home?” or “Where do you plan to travel next?”
She liked to make the other person feel superior, too. She said, “I’m dying to get to know the Okanagan labels. Which wineries do you recommend?” and, “That’s my father’s team. He would disown me if I didn’t root for them, but he’s not here so I’ll secretly agree with you. They’re playing terribly this year.”
Hunter stood by, interjecting with his own droll remarks, making her feel safe and funny and pretty. She began to relax and enjoy herself.
That’s why she was so aghast when a viper struck.
A woman who had had one too many leaned in to ask, “What do you think of this sudden marriage between Eden Bellamy and Remy Sylvain? Sounds like Hunter wasn’t the only one stepping out. What can you tell me about it?”
“Nothing,” Amelia blurted, falling back on something her mother used to say. “There’s no such thing as harmless gossip. It always stabs someone.” She wanted to cringe as soon as the pompous words came out of her mouth. Who did she think she was?
Clinging to her last shred of dignity, she said, “Would you excuse me? I should check with our nanny.”
She hurried away without even looking at Hunter, far too mortified that she had done the one thing she had sworn she wouldn’t. She had embarrassed him.
CHAPTER TEN
AMELIAWASSITTINGin a quiet window seat on a landing, trying to compose a text to Carina to explain her behavior, when she realized with a lurch of guilt that Hunter was coming up the stairs toward her.
“Is Peyton all right?” he asked. “You’ve been gone a while.”
“Totally fine. Fast asleep. Matinder showed her to me over video chat.” Which had made Amelia feel like a helicopter mom, among other things. She gathered her courage and just blurted it. “I’m really sorry I embarrassed you. I shouldn’t have said that to that woman. She took me by surprise, but that’s no excuse. I’ll keep my cool next time, I promise.”
“Is that what you’re doing up here? Self-flagellating? That woman embarrassed herself. For God’s sake, Amelia. There is a vast difference between standing up for yourself and tearing someone else down.” He leaned his shoulder against the wall. “I’m the furthest thing from humiliated. I’m glad to know you can hold your own when someone crosses a line.”
“Really?” Her vision blurred she was so relieved.