4| Bar Hook-ups
"Should we have a theme wedding?" I asked Amelia from across the table.
When silence answered, I looked up from the list of wedding themes my mother gave me last night.
Amelia was staring into her glass of wine like she was trying to find some kind of answer inside it. I knew what that was like. I figured this whole wedding thing was weighing on her.
As I studied her, I could tell she was exhausted. Even though she was wearing makeup, I could see the dark circles under her eyes. Did she not get any sleep last night? She told me before that it was hard for her to sleep in a new place, but I was sure she would be comfortable here.
"Babe? Helloooo? Earth to Amelia...."
Her eyes finally met mine and red colored her cheeks. "Sorry. I spaced out."
I laughed and handed her the list of wedding themes. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I didn't want to press her right now about whatever was bothering her. My brother was going to be out here soon.
"Yes," she answered. "I just didn't sleep well."
"Well, take a look at these themes. It'll help distract you."
She took the paper from me and started looking at the very long list of wedding themes. She frowned when she got about halfway down the page. "Wait...there's a Gone with the Wind theme?" She looked up at me. "Really?"
I tried not to laugh as I chewed a bite of my French toast. "I know, right? I am not doing that."
I was already freaking out enough about this whole wedding thing-no way was I going to do it dressed as some old-timey character from Gone With the Wind.
Amelia grinned, clearly amused. "Why not? You don't think I would look good in the Green Curtain dress or The Burgundy Ball Gown? Perhaps the Green Velvet Dress?"
"You would look amazing in anything, Amelia."
I may be freaking out with how I felt about Amelia and this whole wedding thing, but I wasn't blind. Amelia was beautiful. Even with all this confusion, I felt lucky that she was the one I was going to get married to.
The sound of my brother's voice drew my attention. "He's not wrong. You would look amazing in anything."
"That's what I'm saying," I added before clapping my brother on the back. "You've been M.I.A. a lot the past few days. What have you been up to, little bro?"
"This and that," Wyatt said casually as Amelia continued to look over the list of wedding themes. "It's been an adjustment moving back to the east coast."
"I bet." It was a surprise to me when Wyatt first told me he was going to go to school in California. It also sucked being stuck here in New York without him.
Maybe one of the reasons I took the few handfuls of chances I did with Grant was because my brother was on the other side of the country. His opinion was the one I worried about the most when it came to finding out my secret.
When I started to feel sick to my stomach, I decided to change the subject. I looked back at Amelia and asked, "So, anything popping out at you?"
She looked up at me with an odd expression. "Uh-I'm still looking. Not really sure what-"
"Mind if I give it a try?" Wyatt asked with a smile. He held out his hand for the paper. "After all...I know you, Lia. I can probably guess your top two choices on that list."
I snickered at my brother. "God, that's the truth. He really does know you better than anyone. Even me." My smile turned into a frown. "That's pretty sad, isn't it?"
It really was. Even though I've known Amelia for the same amount of time as my baby brother, she and I were never as close as they were. They were the true definition of best friends.
"Don't be silly, Logan." Amelia handed the list to Wyatt. "Even though you know someone for over a decade, it doesn't mean you know everything." She glanced to Wyatt. "Sometimes people are just really good at lying."
Whoa. What the hell was that? Call me crazy, but Amelia seemed...pissed.
"Let's see here." Wyatt's eyes skimmed the page. He chuckled arrogantly before looking from me to Amelia. "Her first choice would be masquerade. She loves anything masquerade. But she would be too embarrassed to ask for that. She would be worried what people thought since it was a little out there. So, she's going to tell you she wants the Grecian wedding instead. After all, she loves everything Greek almost as much."
Wyatt arched an eyebrow at her and had his classic shit-eating grin. "So, Lia...how did I do?"
She sucked her teeth and snatched the paper back. She rolled her eyes before she looked at me. "He's right."
Wyatt slammed his hand on the table; clearly satisfied with his victory. "Told you!"
I let out a low whistle. "Damn, you're good."
"Nah. I just know Lia. Better than anyone."
Hoping to ease the tension, I clapped my hands together. "That settles it then. We have our theme. Masquerade."
"Logan, I'm not sure..."
"Amelia, if it's what you want, then we're doing it." I still felt guilty about the whole connection between the proposal and working for my father. The least she deserved was to have the wedding she wanted. I rose to his feet. "Now, how about we relax the rest of the day. Then later the three of us go to Jack's Bar?"
Wyatt seemed uncomfortable by my invite. "I don't know..." he answered.
"Yes." Amelia was the one with the cocky smile this time. "Let's do it."
Amelia excused herself and went into the house. Once she was out of ear-shot, I tapped Wyatt on the shoulder.
"What'd you do?"
He continued to pick up his food. "What do you mean?"
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, Wyatt. Amelia is rarely mad. You saw her. She's pissed."
Wyatt took a drink of his coffee. "Just a disagreement between friends. No biggie."
I shook my head and sat back down to finish my mean. "Whatever. Just apologize to her, Wyatt. If there's one thing I've learned about women, it's that they're always right."
Wyatt laughed and some of the tenseness seemed to leave his shoulders. "That's good advice. I'll try to remember that."
After my brother and I finished our meal, I felt like a little brotherly time was in order.
We threw the football around in the backyard while he told me a few stories about his time away at college. When I asked about any women he had dated, he seemed uncomfortable talking about it.
Maybe I should try to set him up with someone. Actually, it was good thing we were going to the bar tonight. You should definitely be able to pick up a chick there.
"Here's your drink, babe."
"Thanks," she said absently as she took the glass from me.
I was starting to wonder why Amelia seemed so distracted lately. It was probably the wedding. After all, she wasn't the only one who had other things on their mind.
I felt bad that I couldn't see Grant today. When we talked this morning, he wanted to have lunch. I reminded him that my mom set up this whole brunch thing earlier and I had to be there. So, he was as understanding as ever, and asked if he could see me tonight instead.
I felt like a complete asshole when I told him that I had made plans with Amelia and my brother. I felt bad that I've been disappearing a lot the past few days from the lake house. I needed to spend some time with Amelia especially.
I looked over at my bride-to-be. She looked really beautiful tonight. She had her hair up and was wearing a summer dress. My chest tightened with guilt.
Chime-chime
I took my phone out and glanced at the screen. It was a text from my mom. Oh, well. I'll check it later.
I looked across the bar and saw Wyatt chatting up a woman by the pool table. Good. He needed a good bar hook-up.
I looked back to Amelia, put my phone in my pocket and held out my hand. "You wanna dance?
"Yeah, sure."
I pulled her body close to mine and we started to move to the music. That's when something occurred to me. "You know what tomorrow is, don't you?"
She shook her head. "Saturday?"
I chuckled. She really has been distracted lately. "Yes. But it also happens to be your birthday."
She gasped and pulled back a little to meet my gaze. "Tomorrow? Really?"
"Yes," I laughed again. "Where has your mind been lately? Anyway, I was thinking we can have dinner at the house. What do you think?"
When she remained silent, I asked again, "Amelia? Dinner?"
"Um..." She glanced around the bar. "Yeah. Dinner at the house sounds good."
I smiled at her approval and we continued dancing. When I looked straight ahead over her shoulder, I saw Grant.
His eyes met mine and I knew that he had been watching me with Amelia. Seconds later, he turned and went through the back exit of the bar.
Fuck.
Hey guys! If this chapter seemed familiar, it was because it was in My Brother's Girl! This is Logan's POV and I felt it was important that we saw his side.
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s always-thanks for reading 🖤
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