Page 51 of Tangled in Temptation

Regina’s laughter echoed in my ears, her smug smirk imprinted in my mind. She was beautiful, powerful, and intimidating. A stark contrast to the dust-covered woman reflected back at me in the mirror.

It would be effortless for him to fall into her arms. They had history. She knew his friends and business connections. She knew which fork to use to eat her salad and what wine paired with a meal. She could look at someone’s shoes or handbag and recognize the designer. Regina was from his world. I wasn’t.

I dropped back to my hands and knees, using the shopvac to get the last of the dust in the corners before I got back to the sanding.

I heard the doorbell, which was going to be on Luke’s list of things to fix. It sounded like a dying cow instead of a ding dong.

I got up and made my way downstairs just as Amber was letting herself in.

I wiped sweat from my brow, offering a faint smile. “Hey, Amber. What brings you over?”

She stepped closer, her eyes scanning my horrible appearance. “Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“Good,” I nodded. “Thirsty. Want some water?”

She followed me into the kitchen. “Girl, you look like hell. Have you slept?”

“Yes,” I said. “And thanks. I can always count on you for a good compliment.”

“You’ve been working non-stop on this place,” she said. “Is it wrong if I don’t see the difference?”

“No, because I’ve been working upstairs.”

“Are you going to put your cupboard doors back on?” she asked.

“Probably tomorrow,” I replied. “I just put on the last coat of stain yesterday.”

“So basically, you’re busting your ass and running from the feelings that are hot on your heels.”

“Something like that.” I shrugged.

“How are you doing for real?” she asked. “You’ve been holed up in here for days. That isn’t healthy.”

I sighed, the weight of exhaustion settling in my bones. “I guess I’m doing okay.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. It’s like something’s missing. I feel numb and hollow. I know my heart is in my chest. I can feel it beating, but yet it also feels like there’s just a gaping hole where it used to be.”

Amber’s gaze softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. “Timothy?”

I looked away, unable to meet her eyes. “As always.”

She sat down in a chair and pointed at another one, telling me to sit down. “Talk to me. What happened?”

I told her about the incident at the Manor. Amber listened attentively, her eyes filled with understanding.

“You love him, don’t you?”

I shrugged uncomfortably. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” Amber chuckled. “It’s not a ‘maybe’ thing, sweetheart. When we love someone, we can’t help but wear our hearts on our sleeves.”

I moved away from her gaze, focusing on the coffee stains dotting the wooden table. “It’s complicated.”

“Love is always complicated,” she said softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “But it shouldn’t stop you from acknowledging it and dealing with it. You’re just torturing yourself by denying your feelings and burying yourself in this renovation project.”

I sighed, a long, weary sound. “He’s got that Regina thing skulking around. I don’t know if he’ll ever be free of her.”