Page 19 of Passing Ships

My gaze returns to where Amiya is struggling to grip her burger one-handed while balancing her plate in her lap. She manages to take a bite, but mustard and chili drip down her chin and onto her chest just above the neckline of her dress.

She jumps down, sets her meal on the ledge, and starts dabbing at the stain between her breasts with her napkin as she curses under her breath.

I scoot back from the table and stand.

“Amiya,” I call, and her eyes slide to me. “Here, you come sit at the table. I’m going to eat at the firepit.”

She lifts her chin in defiance. “I’m fine over here.”

Stubborn woman.

I kick Sebastian’s chair, and he looks up at me.

“Come on. Let the girls have the table and come eat with me,” I demand.

His eyes scan the yard, and he nods.

We grab our plates and walk over to where Wade, Eden, and Kenton are seated in the Adirondack chairs by the fire.

“Eden, I think Nana is about to serve up another round of margaritas if you want to join them,” Seb says as we settle in.

I watch as she makes her way to the patio and see that Amiya has finally taken her dinner and filled my vacated seat.

She notices me looking at her, so I smile and tip my Solo cup in her direction.

And she scowls at me.

What the hell?

Maybe Seb was right, and things are going to be complicated between us now.

Fuck me.

I look over at my brother, who’s telling Kenton about the fishing excursion Gramps and Dad are planning for the boys on the day of Avie’s bridal luncheon.

He’s so damn happy.

I look back at Amiya. I need to fix this quickly because I refuse to let drama mess anything up for Seb and Avie.

“Can we talk for a minute?” I whisper into Amiya’s ear.

Dad set up the cornhole boards, and he and Wade are currently in a cutthroat game against Seb and Kenton.

“Go ahead. Talk,” she says without sparing me a glance.

“Privately,” I clarify.

She looks over her shoulder at me, and her eyes narrow.

“Please.”

She huffs but spins and stomps off toward the side of the house.

I scan the crowd, and everyone is focused on the action in front of them, so I follow her.

When she makes it out of sight and earshot of everyone, she turns and faces me. Her eyes are expectant.

“Go ahead. Talk,” she repeats.