Page 147 of Love Unspoken

As I approached the building where Amara's office was, nerves began to tighten in my chest—a feeling I wasn't used to.

I'd faced down boardrooms full of cutthroat executives and navigated high-stakes deals with barely a ghost of doubt, but this, well, this was different. This was personal. And it mattered more than any business deal ever had and ever could.

I spotted her through the glass doors, wrapping up a conversation with one of her students. She looked composed and focused, with a spark in her eyes that I'd missed so much. But there was also a weariness, a heaviness that I knew I was partly responsible for.

As she turned to head toward her office, I stepped inside, my heart beating like a drum in my chest. "Amara," I called out.

She stopped and turned to face me, her expression shifting from surprise to something more guarded. "Lucas, is something wrong?"

The fact that her mind went there made me realize how much work I still had to do.

"I brought lunch." I held up the picnic basket.

She blinked, clearly taken aback. "Lunch?"

"Yeah." I took a step closer. "You've got to eat, right?"

She hesitated.

"Please," I pleaded, my voice softening. "I just want to spend time with you. No pressure, no expectations. Just lunch."

Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought she might say no. But then she sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Alright. But only because I'm starving, and you've clearly gone to a lot of trouble."

I grinned, relief flooding through me. "You won't regret it."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but she nodded. "We shall see."

I guided her out onto the campus lawn, finding a spot under a large oak tree. The area was quiet but not empty—students wandered by, chatting, laughing, and going about their day. I spread out the blanket I'd brought and set down the basket, not bothered by the curious glances we were getting.

Amara sat, smoothing her skirt over her knees, watching me with a mix of wariness and curiosity. "Normally, one would just go to the cafeteria for lunch."

"Normal is overrated." I started unpacking the basket, laying out the sandwiches, fruit, and the small bottle of sparkling water I'd picked up from her favorite deli. I even brought a small vase with a single peony—a little nod to the bouquet I'd sent earlier and the message it carried.

"Good God," she chuckled.

She looked happy, and I loved knowing I was the reason for that smile. If she forgave me and offered me the chance, I'd work hard every day to make her feel this way.

I noticed a few students nearby watching us, whispering to each other. Let them watch, I thought. I wasn't here to hide. I was here to show Amara how much I loved her.

She picked up a sandwich from a tray, eyeing me with that sharp gaze. "What are you up to?"

"Lunch. I'm dead serious about food, you know that." I relaxed across from her. "I know I've screwed up more times than I can count, but I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere until you know how much you mean to me."

She looked down at the sandwich in her hands, her expression softening for just a moment before she masked it again. "You said just lunch."

I smiled. "It is, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to make my case. That night was wonderful." I saw a shiver run through her, and I curbed the instinct to beat my chest. "I want all your nights for the rest of your life."

"Just lunch, Lucas," she warned.

"Eat up, Tesoro. Your students are going to need you to have your strength." I winked at her.

She stared at me, her defenses wavering but still there. "What are you doing, Lucas Covington?"

"I'm trying to win you over," I admitted.

She was quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting over the scene around us—the students walking by, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, the ridiculous picnic spread out before her. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she was torn between wanting to believe me and wanting to protect herself.

I took her hand in mine, brought it to my lips, and kissed it, making her smile.