Owned by Him by Sam Crescent Page B

you?”
    “I’m great. I’m heading over
to Wade’s. I convinced Connie to sing for me. She’s got stage fright and all
that, but I’ve asked her to let me listen. Is she good? I mean, I hope she’s
good, otherwise I’m in for it.”
    Laughing, Amber pushed her
arm through his. “Connie could have a record deal she’s that good. You’ll love
her singing. I know I do.”
    “ There’s
no hard feelings , right?” Dale asked.
    “No, none
at all. I’m pleased you’re moving on. Can I warn you that
Wade has been crushing on her for some time? Please be careful with her and
with Wade.”
    “Of
course. I’m not that kind of man, honey. How are you and your
man?”
    She smiled. “We’re doing good . Better, actually.”
    “Good.”
    They drove together to
Wade’s. She left him at the door. The guard letting people in stopped Dale from
entering. “I’ve been told to keep you behind,” the man said.
    “I’ll leave you to it, Dale.
You may have pissed off the owner.” She gave Dale a wink before heading inside.
    Ashley, Connie, and Heather
were seated in their booth. She looked over to the bar to see Wade heading
toward her.
    “I take it you’re the one
responsible for Dale being left behind?”
    “I need to know what his
intentions are.” Wade glanced toward Connie. “I’m not letting her get hurt.”
    “I believe you.” She watched
him leave, and she saw Elijah sat at the bar. He raised a glass to her, and she
rolled her eyes.
    “Hey, what’s going on with
Wade?” Connie asked.
    Taking her seat Amber looked
at her friend. “He’s taking care of some business out front. He’ll be back in a
moment. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. He knows what he’s doing.”
    “Where have you been?”
Heather asked. “I really needed to talk to you, and you’ve always been busy.”
    “I’ve been dating, and work
has been really crazy. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to abandon you guys,” Amber
said.
    They all grumbled for
several minutes. It was her friends’ way of showing her that they cared.
    “Okay, leave her alone. She
feels like crap, and now we’ve got to give her the good news,” Ashley said.
    Amber smiled gratefully at
her friend.
    “What’s the good news?”
    “I’m having a baby,” Heather
said, screaming and covering her mouth.
    Amber gasped. “What? Julian
got you pregnant?”
    “Yes. I can’t believe it. I
took the test a couple of weeks, and then I went to the doctor to confirm it.
I’m not far along, but it’s official. I’m going to be a mommy.”
    They all cheered. “That
better not be alcohol,” Amber said, pointing to the drink in front of her.
    “No, it’s not. Julian didn’t
want me coming today. I promised him I’d be good. I’d never risk this baby. I
can’t believe I’m going to be a mommy.”
    Heather looked so happy.
Laughing, Amber found herself looking for Elijah. He was sat at the bar
watching her. A gentle hum settled over her. She kept her gaze on Elijah,
knowing she wanted a future with him. She’d do everything in her power to make
him happy. In the last few weeks he’d really showed her what their life could
be together.
    “I’m going to the ladies’
room with Connie to prepare her,” Heather said.
    Amber watched her friends
go. Ashley slid closer to her.
    “Are you going to give me
any juicy details?” she asked.
    “About
what?”
    “About
the hot guy staring at you all the time. I never thought Elijah was capable of being a stalker. I think he
should win awards for the change inside him.”
    Amber laughed. “He’s not
that bad.”
    “No? Then why have you both
kept it a secret all these years?”
    There was no answer to that
question at all.
    “I don’t know what to say,”
Amber said, staring down at her hands.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to
burst your bubble. I know you’ve got your reasons, and I’m sure he’s got his.”
Ashley moved away.
    “What’s going on with you?”
Amber asked. “We rarely see each