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Amelia claps her hands in excitement and it’s good to see the light back in her eyes. She seemed lost after she came back from London, different, like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Even when she was happy, there was something not quite honest about it. I wonder if I’ve neglected her.
“Yes. You’re going to love the view, Beck.”
We walk toward the elevator as I listen to her talk, her hands moving wildly. Amelia has always been expressive and I would tease her that if I sat on her hands she’d be mute.
“It’s good to see you happy, Tink.”
She stops talking and looks at me with a soft look. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever life brings me next. It’s time to be brave.”
My gut twists at that statement because I know it won’t be with me. But I love her enough to want to see her happy, even if it doesn’t include me in the way I’d like. “You’re brave, Tink. The bravest person I know.”
Her eyes look a little wet and she blinks and waves her hand. “Don’t make me cry.”
I chuckle and pull her into my arms. “Sorry, Tink.”
The doors open to absolute chaos in her new home.
Linc and Harrison are on either end of a large couch and Norrie is directing them this way and that. Lottie is underneath trying to straighten a rug and both my friends look like they want to murder someone.
I burst out laughing and Amelia joins me which only serves to draw glares from both men that make me laugh harder.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
“Shut the fuck up and help me, asshole,” Linc spits and I move forward but only because I don’t want a couch landing on sweet little Lottie. That woman deserves a fucking medal for putting up with his grumpy ass.
We spend the day getting the bones of Amelia’s apartment put away and around six-thirty, Norrie and Harrison head home with Isaac, who has most definitely had enough. They are so lucky with him, he’s the most placid baby I’ve ever seen. It’s strange to think of him as Xander’s nephew. Though he doesn’t have a blood link because Norrie was adopted, he does remind me of him in that he’s laid back like his uncle.
“We’re gonna head off too if that’s okay?”
Lottie moves toward Amelia and I where we’re putting glasses in a kitchen cupboard.
Amelia holds her arms out and Lottie hugs her and then does the same for Lincoln and I see him soften toward my girl.
“Thank you so much. I’m so lucky to have you guys adopt me like you have.”
Lincoln wraps an arm around Lottie and gives her a soft look before looking back at Amelia. “It’s our pleasure and I want to thank you for all the help you’ve been giving Lottie with the charity.”
“I loved doing it and it’s not like I didn’t have the time.”
Lincoln cocks his head and I can see the cogs working in his brain. “Have you thought about what you might do next? I’d love to have someone of your caliber at Kennedy Enterprises.”
“Ah, that’s very sweet of you to say and Audrey and I have discussed it at length, but honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’m considering going back to school and getting my Ph.D. in physics.”
Well, that’s all news to me and shows just how much of my best friend’s life I’ve missed out on of late. There was a time when I would’ve known this before anyone else and now I feel like the last person to know. I don’t like it one bit.
“Well, the offer is there if you change your mind.”
“Thank you.”
I walk with Amelia to the elevator as she sees them out and try not to let the hurt fester. I’m as much to blame as she is for the way things are currently, and it only serves to remind me how much I want us back to what we had. “So where next?”
“Bedroom.”
My dick perks up at the thought but I push any desire I feel away.
“Please don’t make me wrestle with the comforter cover.” I groan and she laughs as I intended.
“No, I’ll do that. You can unpack that box.”
