Forbidden Attraction

20. Rabbit?

Amelia's POV:

As Carson's name was called, he strode up to the stage with that trademark confidence of his. The way he commanded the room was almost mesmerizing. He began his speech with a tone that turned heads and silenced murmurs, capturing everyone's attention like a pro. I found myself smiling, feeling a mix of pride and annoyance that he could own the spotlight so effortlessly.

While he held the crowd's focus, I was approached by his friend Jake, who sauntered over with a casual swagger. There was a playful glint in his eye that told me he was up to no good.

"Hey there, Amelia!" he greeted, leaning casually against the table beside me. "How are you enjoying this place? Not as dull as you expected, right?"

I chuckled, feeling the tension from earlier begin to fade. "Not dull at all! Just trying to figure out what my role in all this is," I replied, trying to sound casual but knowing I was diving into dangerous territory.

Jake leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Well, as long as you're not the designated flower girl, I think you'll be fine," he joked, flashing a mischievous smile.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, definitely not my style! I prefer to avoid the whole 'cutesy' thing."

"Good choice," he said, leaning back with an exaggerated nod. "Cutesy doesn't look good on everyone. Trust me, I'd know." He struck a mock pose, hands on his hips with a dramatic flair that made me giggle even more.

Just as I was getting comfortable with the banter, Jake tossed out a playful line. "You know, Carson talks a lot about you. I mean, a LOT. I was starting to think he had a crush or something," he teased, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

I froze, my heart racing. "What? Carson? Talks about me?" My surprise was evident, and I was flustered. "Like, what does he say?"

"Well, let's just say you're his favorite topic during our late-night poker games," Jake said, leaning back, a smirk plastered across his face. "He likes to say he's finally found someone who can challenge him. Guess you've got that whole 'fiancée' thing down, huh?"

I blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. The idea of Carson talking about me caught me off guard and made my cheeks flush. "Oh really? I'm just a challenge to him?" I replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.

"Exactly! But just remember, if you need a sidekick in case things get too intense, you know where to find me," he winked, throwing in a dramatic hand gesture like he was auditioning for a superhero role.

While I enjoyed the lighthearted banter, I couldn't shake the feeling of Carson's intense gaze piercing through the crowd. His eyes flicked toward us, and I noticed his jaw tightening, his expression darkening. It was almost comically intense—like a villain in a movie glaring at the hero. My heart raced, a mix of anticipation and anxiety bubbling up inside me. Did he actually think I'd betray him with his friend?

As the applause erupted following Carson's speech, he descended from the stage with a frown etched deep into his features. The crowd was still buzzing with excitement, but his demeanor was anything but celebratory. He stalked over to us with purpose, and I could sense a storm brewing.

"Did I miss something?" he demanded, his tone sharp as he shot a glare at Jake, making it clear he was not in the mood for any nonsense. He turned to me, his eyes darkening as they swept over me. "You think it's funny to let my friend flirt with you while I'm up there giving a speech?"

I shrugged, trying to suppress a smile. "Just a little comic relief. You might want to step up your game, Carson. Jake's a tough act to follow!"

His brows furrowed, and he leaned in closer, lowering his voice, thickening the tension between us. "Is that so? You think you can just stand there and let him throw lines at you while I'm talking? It's ridiculous, Amelia. You need to learn some boundaries."