lia

had purchased in Paris. She didn't want to go out, but everyone told her that the best way to deal with jet lag was to return to her

s the wedding preparations would begin in a few days. Throughout her absence, they had remained in communication, and she

on the door before entering. Her parents had the day off, based on their conversation the previous eve

o the kitchen in the back of the

e table and looked up from his read

ble to give him a cheek

of sleep di

wful," she shot back, grinning

f coffee? The kettle

where the coffee was so strong that it could almost keep a spoon upright, Amelia did

ve your car in the shed." "

, "Thanks, Daddy." "Please tell m

ff her remark.

now. You don't need to co

der this my way of s

hanks. A bit later, I will be at ho

Say hello to

't talking to her. Mia believed that Amelia had deceived her and that shattering her brother's heart was an unpardonable transgression. It made little diffe

"Mia still isn't

t to mend that relationship, po

s my best friend." "Sh

a side is no

that," before inhaling deeply. I ap

. "I do not doubt that everything will work ou

furious, but she eventually warmed up to the idea after realising how much they loved one another. Mia merely stipulated that Amelia could not cause Smith to lose his hear

arten together, Mia had been her best friend, and she vanished. They were leaving out Smith's grandparents. Amelia loved th

or five years, during which time their lives had been intertwined

be difficult enough to return to town without having to worry about running into Mia. She had to

Her dad must have filled it with gas and had it serviced for her. It had never s

hey would live in the same town until he returned to his mining job, for however long that could be. Amelia wouldn't be doing herself any favours by

doors. Smith had taken a position at the counter. She

rmer supervisor, asked h

elia waved ba

irtually leaped over the co

blue eyes had that gloomy quality, the kind of dark that he liked to have when he had a grudge. Suppressing a shudder, Amelia

nes are

d back to let Amelia in. Tearing her ga

Sara remarked. "Plus,

thighs before saying, "Paris." To say she didn't do it to

adore

nd, Amelia whispered to Sara, "

, pre

e takeout coffee he was drinking while leaning on the counter. Amelia was done lying to herself, even if she did pretend she didn't mind if he saw her. Tha

ble," and held out the tiny apron Am

s written in English were also present. In addition to owning a

?" With a faint murmur in

tely forgotten what it was like to live in a tiny town where everyone was acquainted with one another. Without a ce

eet his. She said, "I'm really good," and meant it. How

knew how much she despised the in-depth scrutiny of the Hope

s head. He said, "Nope," wi

tension between Amelia and Smith gr

purse and replied, "Yea

opening his wa

you do that," fearing that he would a

n my budget,"

ble if he had cheated on her. That person was not Smith, though. No, he hadn't cheated on her; he had deceived her in other ways. L

ang up the sale before she cou

er eyes for a while, taking in his clean aroma. They needed t

down at her. They felt a great deal of animosity against one another, whic

r perception of the way his eyes had darkened before was mista

elieved we could h

tand what they were saying, Sara slipped Amelia's coffee over the counter. Sh

cked cafe. "I have time to talk.

d. Taking up her coffee, she trailed

esterday," after they were out of ea

"You too," an

seat. They were sitting beside each other, silent, the awkw

ow me to explain. I was unjust. The statements I made and the things I She shook her head, shocked once more at how it

as I did for being at fault. I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I'm sorry I let it get as far as it did and for w

l she could barely breathe. "I

fuck is go