Amara stepped into the cool, quiet hallway of the hotel after returning from the church. The gentle hum of conversation and laughter echoed through the space, growing louder as more guests arrived in the early afternoon. The air was thick with excitement, the kind that only comes with a wedding. Amara had been meticulous in her planning, ensuring every detail was perfect for her brother’s big day, including reserving the entire hotel for the guests. It was a decision that had taken some convincing, but now, seeing the vibrant energy filling the hotel, she knew it was worth it.
She moved gracefully toward her room, the soft rustling of her dress accompanying her steps. Amara was looking forward to a brief moment of solitude before she would need to attend to her guests again. She needed to gather her thoughts, to prepare herself for the long day ahead. But as she approached her door, she noticed a familiar figure walking toward her. The man’s tall silhouette was unmistakable, and a warm smile spread across her face as she recognized him.
“Harvey,” Amara greeted, her voice tinged with genuine happiness. She quickened her pace slightly, closing the distance between them. Harvey, dressed in a sharp suit that only enhanced his rugged charm, mirrored her smile.
“Hey, Amara,” he replied, his tone friendly and light.
“I’m so glad you came,” Amara said, the sincerity in her voice clear. She meant it. Despite the complicated history between her and Rowan, Harvey had always been someone she could count on.
“Of course. You invited me to your brother’s wedding, so I had to come.” Harvey’s smile was warm, but Amara noticed a flicker of something in his eyes-hesitation, maybe. She couldn’t quite place it, but before she could dwell on it, her gaze instinctively swept the area behind him. The lobby was bustling with guests, hotel staff moving efficiently to accommodate everyone, but there was no sign of Rowan.
Amara let out a subtle sigh of relief, silently thanking the heavens that he wasn’t here. Her relationship with Rowan had always been complicated, filled with unresolved emotions and unspoken words. The last thing she needed today was to deal with that baggage.
Harvey, ever observant, noticed the change in her expression. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of embarrassment, knowing exactly what was going through her mind. He rubbed his nose slightly, a habit of his when he felt uncomfortable.
He could easily guess that Amara was thankful Rowan hadn’t shown up, but how could he break the news to her that Rowan had indeed come? His brother had made a flimsy excuse of a business deal to justify his presence, but Harvey had urged him not to attend, knowing how uncomfortable it would make Amara.
Harvey thought to himself ‘He’s not here, At least, not right now. He left the hotel for some urgent work, but didn’t specify any details.’
Amara’s relief was palpable. She smiled, a genuine one this time, and said, “Thank you, Harvey. I really appreciate it.”
Harvey nodded, his expression serious. “I just want you to enjoy today, Amara. You deserve it.”
“Come on,” Amara said, linking her arm with Harvey’s. “Let’s go mingle with the guests. I’m sure there are a lot of people who would love to see you.”
Harvey chuckled, allowing her to lead him through the throng of people. As they moved, they were greeted by waves of familiar faces, all here to celebrate the joyous occasion. Amara felt a warmth spread through her chest as she saw the happiness radiating from everyone around her.
As the afternoon wore on, the hotel grounds transformed into a lively hub of activity. Guests lounged by the pool, children played on the manicured lawns, and groups of friends and family gathered to reminisce and share stories. Amara moved through the crowd with grace, her presence lighting up every corner she visited.
Eventually, she found herself standing on the balcony of her room, looking out over the festivities below. She could see Harvey mingling with the guests, his easy charm winning over everyone he spoke to. She felt a surge of gratitude for having such a steadfast friend by her side.
As she stood there, lost in thought, she felt a presence behind her. Turning around, she saw Rowan standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. Her heart sank, the sense of peace she had felt moments ago evaporating in an instant.
“Amara,” Rowan said, his voice low and steady. “Can we talk?”
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come. “What are you doing here, Rowan?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Rowan stepped onto the balcony, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’m here for the wedding,” he said simply, his voice calm and measured, though a hint of something darker lingered beneath the surface.
Amara’s heart tightened in her chest. She hadn’t expected to face him today, especially not like this, in the midst of her brother’s celebration. Trying to maintain her composure, she replied, her tone edged with irritation, “I don’t remember inviting you.”
Rowan chuckled, the sound low and rumbling, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine. “Of course, you didn’t,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. “You disappoint me, Amara, but I can’t let my brother walk alone into the tiger’s den, now can I?”
Amara’s eyes narrowed as she studied him. His presence here was a reminder of everything she had tried to distance herself from. Rowan was the one person who could unravel her carefully constructed world, and she wasn’t in the mood for his games today. “Just what do you want, Rowan?” she asked, her voice laced with both frustration and curiosity.
Rowan’s smirk faded slightly as he took a step closer, his gaze intensifying. “To keep my brother safe,” he replied, his voice low and serious. “And, of course, YOU!”
Amara’s breath caught in her throat. His words hung in the air between them, heavy with implications. She had always known Rowan had a way of cutting through the noise, of getting straight to the heart of things.
“You have no right to want anything from me,” she said, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to remain strong.
Rowan’s expression softened, a hint of vulnerability slipping through the mask he usually wore. “Maybe not,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.”
Amara shook her head, trying to ward off the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “Rowan, this isn’t the time or place for this. My brother is getting married tomorrow. This isn’t about us.”
“It’s always about us, Amara,” Rowan countered, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made it impossible for her to look away. “No matter how much you try to deny it, you know that’s the truth.”
She opened her mouth to argue, to push him away like she had done so many times before, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she felt a wave of conflicting emotions crash over her.. anger, frustration, longing, and something deeper that she had tried to bury for so long.
“I’m not doing this with you right now,” Amara finally said, her voice steadier than she felt. “This day is too important, and I won’t let you ruin it.”
Rowan didn’t flinch at her words. Instead, he took another step closer, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “I’m not here to ruin anything, Amara,” he said softly. “I’m here because I care about you, even if you refuse to see it.”
“Then show you care by leaving me alone,” she retorted, her heart pounding in her chest. “Let me enjoy this day without the complications you bring.”
Rowan studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slow nod, he took a step back, giving her the space she so desperately needed. “Fine,” he said, his voice resigned but still laced with determination. “I’ll give you your space, for now. But this isn’t over, Amara. You know that as well as I do.”