And What About Amber Ann?
It had been a long day. Amber Ann sat on her wide side deck and watched the sunset over the vast Blue Serene. It was a beautiful, massive, blue-green lake, and it was hers to see whenever she chose.
She had just finished watching Dan's Facebook Live; the notification had been at the top of her list. She had smiled when she saw the shot of herself carrying trays out to customers and lake residents. She noted the way the camera lingered on her and how happy and free she looked on screen.
Then, she had frowned at the tightness she could hear in Dan's voice as he started speaking again. Her mind slid to the love she had always felt for him—the love she still felt for him. She shook the thoughts away, focusing instead on the millions of views the live stream had achieved and how the count would likely rise even more as people watched the replay.
It had been a great decision to allow Dan to host the live stream and to permit him to buy the villa property. She needed the free advertisement and the influx of cash to fund her personal projects and maintain the property as a whole. She smiled as she thought about where she could use the money, the idea of it going to a 401(k) never even crossing her mind.
Her cell rang, sounding like a modern disruption in the midst of a secluded paradise. She looked at the screen—Cristina. She connected the call with a smile.
"We haven't spoken in ages, and you almost didn't even answer my call!"
Amber laughed. "It has only been a day and a half. Why are you so dramatic?" She paused with a gasp. "Marcus got me the mud and minerals—even some pretty good essential oils. The bathhouse will be open in two months. You and I will do some of the beta testing."
"Now that is good news on all fronts! When will we get in there?"
"I scheduled us in six weeks. I didn't want you in the first batch, but I don't want you to catch rumors about it either."
"Put the exact date on my calendar. Listen, I have been talking to David…"
Amber Ann stood and walked to the edge of her deck. At the mention of Dan's best friend and Cristina's fiancé, she tuned the world out. David was a good guy, but he was also a connection to something painful. He was a connection to Dan.
Her mind went blank as she looked out over the shimmering waters. She thought of Tiffany—the baby she lost before she could even truly hold her or bond with her—and she thought about the baby Jessica was carrying now.
Her heart twisted in her chest. She bit her bottom lip, and her stomach knotted painfully. She pursed her lips and took a deep, steadying breath.
"Amber? Amber Ann? Amb—"
"I am here. Sorry. What were you saying?"
There was a brief silence. Cristina sighed. "Sorry, Amber. I keep forgetting you still love Dan. I was telling you good news, but we will talk about it when you're ready. Are you going to the estate for dinner tonight?"
"Yes. I promised my dad I would not stay away."
"And that bitch?! Will she be there?"
Amber smiled. She loved how protective her friend was. "She is family, Cristina."
"Humph! Barely. She is... never mind. Your father has already said you all should be more loving."
"He didn't say that. It was more that we should be civil with each other. In all honesty, I have been thinking that I need to be prepared for what she would do next. I didn't expect..." Her voice failed her, and silence stretched between them for several minutes before Cristina spoke again.
"Go have dinner, and tomorrow you and I will go shopping. I am not the only one who needs to get their mind off of work."
Amber smiled. "That sounds like a good idea."
As Amber Ann and Cristina spoke, Dan sat stone-faced, lips pursed, listening to Jessica. She had called him, supposedly wanting to talk, but he had refused to let her into his house. The entire way to the park, he had berated himself: Why had he ever slept with this woman? He had sped to the park and fidgeted on the bench the entire time while waiting for her.
Now, her voice was like an ear-piercing scratching sound that made the back of his head vibrate.
"Darling, don't look at me like that." Jessica pouted. On the inside, she was upset that Dan would not allow her to touch him. On the outside, she was all soft smiles and gentle, flowing movements. "I only want what's best for the baby." Her hand slid over her flat abdomen.
"What exactly do you want, Jessica? Just tell me so we can end this discussion."
She frowned. "You would need to do better than that, darling. I want our baby to be happy—and not feel like their father does not want them."
Guilt twisted in Dan's gut. He had already told himself he would not allow his child to suffer because of his mistake. He wouldn't have had to worry about that with Amber, but Jessica was another story. The woman was too self-absorbed for one to ever be sure she would properly care for a child.
"Okay, Jessica. What do you need? Let me be clear: I will care for my child and nothing more. Amber Ann and I will get back together, and you will respect my relationship with her."
Jessica couldn't speak, and he hoped that meant she finally understood. She would not stop him from mending things with Amber Ann.