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“Hold on, Lia. Kyle’s on hold on the other line. I’ll let him know I’ll call him back.”
Melody had been Amelia’s friend ever since Freshman orientation. They met while they were on the same team together during a team-building exercise, and they instantly bonded, becoming the best of friends and sharing all their secrets with each other. So much so that Melody would immediately know when Amelia was about to enter one of her long rants.
“Alright, I’m back.” Amelia heard on the other line. “What’s up?”
“I was just at a gas station, trying to get an energy drink, when some loser walked up to me and asked me out, pressured me to give him my number. He said he super liked me on Hooked and, for some reason, the freak assumed that wehaveto go out. I had to fucking run out of there like my life depended on it! Didn’t even get my drink. Can you believe the audacity of that guy? Coming up to me like that and demanding a date?”
“Well…,” Melody began. “Was he at least cute?”
“If he was, do you really think I’ll be on the phone with you right now? Calling him a loser?” Amelia could almost hear her friend shrug. She knew her all too well. “What?” she asked.
“Remind you of anyone?” Melody asked, her voice sounding smug.
“No, should it?”
“Two words, Lia. Lucas Liard.”
Amelia shook her head. “No, no! This is nothing like my situation with Lucas.I’mnot a four-eyed freak with a shirt that’s too big for me. It’s completely different! I’m not a loser!”
“Then why hasn’t Lucas messaged you back? What ifyouwere to approachhimsuddenly out in public? You don’t think he’d run away, just like you did?”
“No! Maybe… possibly. Shit, Iama four-eyed freak with a shirt that’s too big for me, aren’t I?” Amelia asked, her voice cracking at the realization.
“Sounds like it to me.”
Amelia fell silent, tears welling in her eyes. How could she have been so foolish, obsessing over some stranger who didn’t even care about her enough to say hi?
“You okay, Lia?” Melody asked when she realized no one was answering her.
Amelia sniffled. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Hey, don’t worry about any of that, okay? Take a few days off from the dating life. Spend some quality time with your family. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”
Probably the sanest thing Amelia had heard all day. “You have a point. Thanks, Mel.”
“Drive safe!”
***
NEARLY THREE HOURS LATER, Amelia pulled into the driveway of her childhood home. She could see her Aunt Evelyne’s bright purple jeep from a block away. Her aunt was never one to keep things subtle. She was always the loudest, flashiest, and always wanted to be the center of attention, the complete opposite of her younger sister, Amelia’s mother. She loved her aunt, as much as she loved the rest of her family, but there’s just something about being around her for an extended period of time that made her want to rip out all her hair, strand by strand.
Amelia reached into her pocket to fish out her keys when she reached the front door. She couldn’t remember the last time she even used them, surprised that her dad hadn’t changed the lock. Bracing herself for endless hugs and kisses when she walked in, she, instead, found herself face-to-face with a tall, brunette man with radiant green eyes and broad shoulders.
“Hello, you must be Amelia. My name’s Alistair. Alistair Haynes,” he greeted her with a dazzling smile and sparkling white teeth.
“Hi…? Uhm, I’m sorry, but am I in the right house? I could’ve sworn—”
“Amelia, darling! There you are!” Aunt Evelyne suddenly danced out of the kitchen wearing a floral print apron that nearly blinded her eyes. “So nice to see your beautiful face again!”
“Hey, Aunt Evelyne,” Amelia murmured, slightly heaving, when she aggressively pulled her into a hug.
“I see you met Alistair. He’ll be joining us tonight for dinner.” Amelia looked up at her aunt and saw her grinning from ear to ear, shifting her head back and forth between this man and Amelia herself.
“Am I missing something here? Who is he?” Amelia demanded from her aunt. Then she turned back to Alistair. “Sorry to be rude,” then she turned back to her aunt, “but am I supposed to know him?”
Aunt Evelyne smiled. “You will soon enough, dear. You will soon enough.”
As ominous as that sounded, Amelia barely had time to register what she’d meant before her mom popped her head out from the kitchen and announced, “Dinner’s ready!”
