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“Upset? Over what?”
Before she even answers, it all clicks inside my slow brain. Five months ago is when Austin proposed. Throw in Ava’s comment about the photo she put online, and it all makes sense.
“Your engagement, Millie.”
I close my eyes, biting my lip as my stomach churns. The strange feeling, onsetting a tightness inside my chest, is unsettling. There’s a cool breeze which sweeps past the balcony, causing my skin to break out into goosebumps.
“Mom, I don’t know what to say.”
“You can say absolutely nothing,” she tells me, knowing me so well. “He is here, and chances are you may cross paths.”
“It’s fine,” I say, lowering my gaze toward my ring. “We’re both adults, and mature. You’re right, we are bound to cross paths one day and hopefully it will be fine. I mean, when you and dad crossed paths all those years, was it amicable?”
“God, no,” Mom admits, truthfully. “We were both in shock because it was by chance. I think it’s different if you agree to meet someone because then you can prepare yourself. But seeing you father after eight years and how it ended, I don’t think in my entire life I had felt so many emotions in such a short time. I was angry, hurt, confused, but above all that, I hated that I missed him.”
“Of course you would, you still loved him.” My focus moves away from the ring, and back to the bay in front of me. “And Dad, how did he react?”
“Your father is an alpha male. He was fixated on my then engagement with Julian. He just couldn’t get over the fact that I was getting married, questioning my decision any chance he had a moment alone with me.”
I’m not surprised at all my dad reacted this way. I’ve seen him get all protective over Mom, and I swear, there have been times she says things to purposely rile him up. In the end, what does the past matter? They found their path together and look at them now, still in love after all these years.
My mind begins to drift to a time when I thought no one could stop us…
“It’s only you,” I murmured, slowing my movements. “Austin means nothing to me.”
“I know.”
“Do you know?”
He placed his hand on my cheek, caressing it softly. “Amelia, my feelings for you are… I can’t explain it. I’ve never felt this way over anyone, and it scares me. You’re nineteen.”
“I know. I’m young.”
“You have your whole life ahead of you.”
I felt vulnerable, but even at this moment, he stroked my cheek gently as my heart raced, aware that he’s still inside me.
“But I don’t want to stop,” he said with finality.
I blink my eyes repeatedly, ridding myself of the memories and ignoring the tremble of my limbs. My body begins to tense, attempting to shake off the trembling.
I would never put myself in a position where I am alone with Will. Not because I don trust myself, but because I don’t trust his actions. If he’s anything like the man I remember, seeing him won’t be as easy as I think it will be.
“I’m in love with you, Amelia Edwards,” he admitted, gazing into my eyes. “And no one will stop us from being together. I promise you this.”
We both stopped ourselves from being together. There were too many hearts broken, too many people caught in our tangled web. It was never going to work between us, and the sooner I realized that—the easier it became to move on with my life.
Will Romano may be back on American soil, but nothing will change the fact I’m marrying Austin Carter.
My best friend, and my first love.
It’s more than enough to withstand a lifetime.
What else could I possibly want?
5
AMELIA
