She smiles.“Ten?”
“Ten works.”I pause and try to sound casual.“I’ll bring coffee.What do you drink?”
“Oh, just whatever’s easiest for you to grab.”
“Come on, surely, you have a favorite.”
“Okay...fine.Iced honey latte with white chocolate cold foam with a little drizzle of caramel.”
“Consider it done.”
We share a small smile before I step back, turning toward the living room where Keith is.
“You ready to go?”I ask him.
“Sure am.”
We say our goodbyes and head out, and as I step outside, I can’t stop thinking about Amelia.About this house, this family, this whole night.It’s taken me by surprise how much I didn’t mind the noise and chaos when I’m so used to the quiet and solitude.
Mostly, how much she does for everyone else.
Chapter 12
Amelia
Thenextmorning,Mom’ssitting in a chair by the window, a blanket draped over her lap, even though it’s not that cold.She looks tired but peaceful, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest as she stares outside.
I stay in the doorway, keys already in my hand, but my feet refuse to move.I need to meet Adrian, but looking at Mom like this makes a lump form in the back of my throat.What if something happens to her when I’m gone?What if she needs me and I’m not there?Hazel and Jasper would use their phones to call me, right?
Putting aside my negative thoughts, I focus on the positives, such as Adrian agreeing to let me interview him, and how today will be a quick meeting.
I step closer.“Mom, I’m heading off.You gonna be alright?”
She turns to me with a slow nod.“Yes, sweetheart.”
I hesitate, searching her face for any sign that she’s just saying that for my benefit.“I won’t be long,” I promise.“Just gotta get this meeting done.”
She gives me a small smile.“What’s it about?”
“A fundraiser.”I grab my keys off the counter.“We’re trying to raise money for some medical equipment.”
“Oh, that’s great,” she manages, fighting a yawn and giving me an encouraging smile despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
“Yeah.”I linger for another second more.“It’s just the first meeting, so we’ll be throwing ideas around.”
She hums in approval.“Honey, I’m sure it’ll be great.”
“Call me if you need me.”I kiss her on the forehead before heading out.
The drive is quiet, passing houses that still have autumn wreaths hanging on their doors, mini pumpkins, and fall garlands draped along the porch railings.
When I pull into the lot, I spot his Mercedes-Benz parked at the edge, right where the gravel meets the trees.And there he is, leaning against it, like he was made to be part of the scenery.
The sight of him makes me smile before I even realize it.
He’s in black jeans today, paired with a blue sweater that brings out the color of his eyes.Freshly shaved, his jawline sharp, his eyebrows slightly pinched like he’s assessing something—probably me.
I step out of the car with my camera, and my gaze immediately catches on the two coffee cups in his hands… One noticeably bigger than the other.
