He Doesn't Love You Anymore (Amber and Ethan) novel Chapter 66

Sophia Invites Amber to Dinner

Sophia Invites Amber to Dinner

(Sophia’s POV)

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I woke up with my head pounding like someone was using my skull for drum practice. The nightmares that had plagued me all night left a sour taste in my mouth. Images of Dominic turning away from me were still fresh in my mind.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Zara Jenkins said, her voice too cheetal as she yanked open the curtains of my hotel room.

I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. “Go away.”

“Can’t do that. We have important business.” Zara never took no for an answer. It was what made her good at her job, and occasionally insufferable.

“Unless that business involves painkillers and coffee, I’m not interested.” My voice came out muffled beneath the blankets.

Zara placed a steaming cup on my nightstand along with two pills. Already handled. Now sit up. I’ve got information.”

I reluctantly emerged from my cocoon of blankets and swallowed the pills, washing them down with coffee that was exactly how I liked it–strong and black.

“I found out who she is,” Zara said, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a successful hunt.

“Who who is?” My brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders yet.

“Dominic Blackwood’s mate. The woman Ryan Quinn mentioned.” Zara pulled out her tablet and swiped through some files

with dramatic flair. “Her name is Amber Chase.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “Amber Chase? The photographer?”

Zara raised an eyebrow. “You know her?”

“She took my photos for *Moon* magazine last year.” I set down my cup so quickly that coffee sloshed over the rim. “Those were the photos that caught Director Iris Maple’s attention.”

“Well, looks like your photographer is sleeping with the most eligible wolf in the Northern Territory.” Zara turned her tablet to

show me a recent photo, her expression smug.

There she was–unmistakable with those striking amber eyes that matched her name. I remembered her clearly now. She had been beautiful even then, but there had been a sadness about her, a fragility beneath her professional demeanor.

“She helped me get the lead in Iris’s film,” I murmured, studying the image. “She knew exactly how to capture me in the right light.”

“Small world,” Zara commented, taking back her tablet. “Want me to dig deeper? Find some dirt we could use?”

I hesitated, then shook my head firmly. “No. Let’s focus on the film.”

But as I showered and dressed, my thoughts kept returning to Amber Chase. The woman who had helped launch my career was now the mate of the man I’d foolishly hoped to charm.

The irony wasn’t lost on me.

Later that afternoon, I decided to clear my head with a walk. The weather was pleasant, with fluffy clouds dotting the sky, but as I turned onto Prosperity Avenue, the clouds suddenly darkened.

Within minutes, rain was pouring down.

I cursed under my breath, quickening my pace and looking for shelter. In my hurry, I collided with someone.

“I’m so sorry,” I began, looking up into a pair of familiar amber eyes.

“Sophia Winters?” The woman’s face brightened with recognition. “It’s Amber Chase. I did your photoshoot for *Moon*

Sophia trwites Antun

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magazine last year.”

It was her – Dominic’s mate–looking vibrant and alive, so different from the subdued woman I remembered. Her eyes sparkled, and her skin glowed with health and happiness.

The sadness I recalled was completely gone.

“Of course,” I managed, forcing a smile. “I remember. Those photos helped me land my current role.”

Amber beamed, holding her umbrella over both of us. “I’m glad to hear that. Your bone structure is a photographer’s dream.”

Standing this close to her, I could detect Dominic’s scent on her ski–a subtle claim that made my wolf stir uncomfortably. She was beautiful in an effortless way, with a confidence I didn’t remember from our previous meeting.

“You’re getting soaked,” she said, concern in her voice. “Here, take my umbrella. I’m just heading into that shop there.”

“That’s very kind, but I couldn’t-”

“Please, I insist.” She pushed the umbrella handle into my hand. Her generosity was genuine, making it impossible to dislike her as much as I wanted to.

A strange impulse seized me. “Actually, would you like to have dinner tomorrow? I’d love to catch up and perhaps discuss working together again.”

Amber looked surprised but pleased. “I’d like that. Paige—my friend–is always telling me I should network more in the supernatural community.”

She pulled out her phone, and we exchanged numbers. “Text me the details, and I’ll be there,” she said with a warm smile.

As she hurried off toward a nearby shop, I stood there holding her umbrella, watching her go. My heart felt heavy with a complicated mix of emotions–gratitude for her kindness, awkwardness at our connection through Dominic, and yes, a burning pang of jealousy at the happiness that radiated from her.

The woman Dominic Blackwood had chosen was kind, talented, and beautiful. And somehow, that made everything worse.

(Amber’s POV)

The private room at the Moonlight Club smelled of expensive moonlight wine and vomit. Lucas Blackwood was slumped in a leather booth, his usually perfectly styled hair falling over his forehead, his designer shirt stained with what I hoped was just

alcohol.

“Thank the moon you’re here,” Derek Thornton said, relief washing over his face as he spotted me. “He’s been like this for hours. We couldn’t get him to stop drinking.”

I approached cautiously. Lucas and I had grown up together, and I considered him more of a brother than a nephew–in–law.

Seeing him this destroyed was painful.

“Lucas?” I touched his shoulder gently.

He looked up, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused. “Amber? Is that you?” His words slurred together. “Did Uncle Dom send you to lecture me too?”

“No, you texted me, remember?” I sat beside him, wincing at the strong smell of alcohol. “What happened?”

Lucas attempted to sit up straighter but swayed dangerously. “Mother happened. Always mother. She won’t leave me alone!”

Derek handed me a small vial of dark liquid. “Moonlight herb remedy. Might help sober him up. We’ve tried evering else.”

uncorked the vial and held it to Lucas’s lips. “Drink this.”

“Don’t wanna,” he protested weakly, turning his head away like a stubborn child.

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Sophia trav

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“Lucasfilm wood, drink this right now or tweet t’i kell! twenty–fifth birthday party.”

That got his attention. His eyes widened in intror

“Try me,” I challenged, my voice firm.

He grimaced but swallowed the remedy in one grip.

“Tastes like dirt,” he complained, making a face of disgust. “And s

“And you know what wolf piss tastes like how?” I asked, trying to hten the mood.

Within minutes, the remedy began working its magic. Lucas’s breathing steadied, and I could sense his wolf calming beneath

his skin

His eyelids grew heavy, and soon he was fast asleep, his head resting against the leather booth

I turned to Derek. “What really happened?”

Derek ran a hand through his dark hair, looking exhausted. “Rebecca’s been arranging blind dates for him. Tonight was the third this month. He lost it when the girl showed up with her parents and a marriage contract already drafted.”

“I thought he was past the dating stage.” I remembered how Lucas had disappeared for a year after his last heartbreak, traveling abroad to “find himself” as he put it.

“He is,” Derek confirmed, lowering his voice even though Lucas was out cold. “He’s in love with someone else. Has been for years.”

My curiosity piqued. “Who?”

Derek hesitated, glancing at his sleeping friend. “Naomi Warren.”

The name hit me like a physical blow. “Naomi Warren? The same Naomi that my father arranged for Henry to marry?”

Derek nodded grimly. “The very same. Lucas has loved her since they were teenagers, but he’s never had the courage to tell her

I felt my wolf Cora growl softly inside me. Pack politics were always complicated, but this was a new level of mess.

Henry, my biological brother, was being pushed toward a marriage with the woman Lucas loved.

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