Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,205

to him, and why I felt the need to protect her, I have no clue.

“Of course, the streets are no place for a young girl at night. She’s fine.”

A heavy breath releases. “I’m glad you watched out for her. She hasn’t picked up my calls.”

“I know she had an early breakfast catch-up with a friend or something like that. She mentioned it on the ride home. I wouldn’t worry. She’ll probably call you once done.”

“You’re right…” Lex agrees. “I’m still going to have a word with her.”

“I understand, but perhaps, Lex, you may want to go easy on her. Remember, you were once just like her.”

She closes her eyes, listening, though I can see the worry through her expression.

“I’ll try,” his voice softens. “About Thanksgiving, you’ll join us? We’ve decided to come over, though Charlotte will let Amelia know. I insist since you’re part of the family and also because we have some details to iron out before the acquisition.”

“Sure, I’ll be there. We’ll talk then.”

Lex hangs up the call as Amelia lets out a loud breath.

“Your clothes, by the way, are washed and in the bedroom.”

Amelia nods quietly. “Why did you lie to my dad?”

Her question catches me off guard, mostly because I had no clue why I did it. I shrug my shoulders, unable to look her in the eye.

“Not sure, maybe because you covered for me that time I visited your place and snuck out to attend some party Eric mentioned. You said you wouldn’t tell, and I never got found out, so yeah…”

She nods with a knowing smirk. “I was eight. I don’t remember much of it besides hearing something about Aunt Nikki chopping your balls off.”

Laughter escapes me. “They’re in tack, thank God.”

“Good to hear.” She chuckles softly. “Thank you, Will. And you were right. I shouldn’t have endangered myself by going to a club and drinking myself into a stupor. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“It’s okay, sometimes, we do things or act on things which have no rhyme or reason.”

Slowly, her eyes glaze over mine as she bites the corner of her lip. Standing just a few steps away, wearing my tee, I have this urge to reach out and scrape my thumb across her delicate lips. If she were mine, I’d lift the tee off, admire her naked form, then take her into my bed and own her.

Fuck.

Get rid of these thoughts.

“I’m going to get changed.” She breaks my stance, turning away, though her cheeks are flushed. “Thank you again, Will, for not mentioning this to my dad. It’s clear that he respects you.”

“That he does…” I whisper as she walks away. “That he does.”

10

Amelia

Uncle Rocky begins our meal by saying grace.

Around the table, the Romanos join my family as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Andy flew back to California to spend the holiday with his family, though they all promise to fly here for Christmas in the city.

My parents and sisters arrived three days ago, giving me ample opportunity to catch up with them, aside from Dad, who spent time working. I don’t mind because sometimes it’s good to just hang out with us girls.

Ava, of course, begged to go shopping, which I had little interest in. My thoughts for the last two weeks have become a plain old mess. I try to drown myself in studying, but instead, I find myself stalking a certain individual’s Instagram. Will never posts much, only artistic shots or, occasionally, a photo of some work event.

The whole thing is stupid, like I have a crush on him. And even then, the entire thing is completely off-limits. He’s too old for me—ten years to be exact—and I’m certain he looks at me like some teenage girl who annoys him by breaking the rules.

Across the table, I avoid his glance on more than one occasion, trying to smile or nod when needed, though leaving the conversation to everyone else.

“How is Yale going?” Aunt Nikki directs the conversation to me. “You must be all settled in now.”

“Yes,” I answer, placing my fork down. “It’s nice to have a break, though. It’s been a difficult two weeks.

The second it leaves my mouth, Will’s head flicks up, his eyes falling to mine.

“Is everything okay, honey?” Mom asks, concerned.

“Oh yes…” I choose my words carefully as all eyes turn to me. “I’m finally used to the late nights, cramming, and idiots who like to howl in the middle of the night after a drunken party.”

Uncle Rocky snickers. “I won the best howl