Finally, at Ivor E. Key, I spot Amelia perched on the edge of the piano bench, but she isn’t playing. She looks beautiful today, dressed in a long brown button-up sweater and leggings. But what catches my attention, freezing me in my tracks, is her talking with a guy I’ve never seen before.
At first, I feel possessive, but then I look closer, and her body language is a dead giveaway—shy and defensive.
She isn’t comfortable talking to him.
Meanwhile, the guy is leaning in, making an obvious attempt at flirting. My jaw tightens as I stride over, and just as I reach them, Amelia stands, taking a step back from him. When she catches sight of me, the tension visibly melts away from her.
I’ve got you, baby.
“Hey, Princess. Sorry I’m late,” I say, leaning in to kiss her. When I glance up again, the guy is already retreating.
Smart move.
Amelia exhales deeply. “Thank you. He wasn’t terrible or anything, just insistent and wouldn’t leave me alone, even after I told him I wasn’t interested.”
I have to wrestle with the urge to follow that jerk and teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. But I can’t leave Amelia by herself. Instead, I bend down to pick up her bag, sling it over my shoulder, grab her hand, and guide her away from the scene.
“Where are we going?”
“Grandpa’s,” I tell her, pulling out my phone to send a quick message. “I get that you have an urge to play, but not here. I’m going to give him a heads-up.”
Amelia stops me with a gentle tug on my hand. “I already texted him. They said he and Morgan would be at a doctor’s appointment for the next two hours at least. That’s why I’m here.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
Why didn’t I know about this?
Then I recall the missed call from Grandpa yesterday. They probably wanted to inform me, but I was too preoccupied with Amelia and tracking down her project.
Damn.
I’m a lousy grandson.
“Did they say what kind of doctor appointment?” I ask, hoping she at least knows more than I do.
“Morgan said it was just a check-up.”
Just a check-up.
Okay.
That’s okay.
“I have a key,” I tell her, trying to stay light despite the worry gnawing at me.
As we make our way down the street, I notice her red-rimmed eyes.
She’s been crying, and it kills me to see her like this.
“Why aren’t you at work?”
Amelia sighs, her shoulders slumping. “I just had to get out of there. It’s one thing to know they have my project, but it’s another to have it shoved in my face all the time.”
My heart aches for her as we walk up the steps to the house, and I unlock the front door. The familiar creak of the old wood beneath our feet echoes in the quiet. Then Peanut comes bounding toward us, his nails clicking against the hardwood floor, and I crouch down to greet him, arms outstretched. To my surprise and slight indignation, he bypasses me completely and heads straight for Amelia, tail wagging furiously, his whole body practically vibrating with excitement.
“Nice to see you, too, traitor,” I mutter, standing again and setting down Amelia’s bag with a soft thud.
“Hey, buddy,” Amelia gushes, her voice softening as she crouches down to pet him fiercely. Her fingers disappear into his thick fur, and for a moment, I see a genuine smile light up her face.
