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Her shoulders tensed, and the smile was wiped clean off her face. A sadness took over her eyes, and for a split second, she looked slightly hurt by my words before she fixed her features.
“If you must know, Jacob and I broke up almost a month ago. I highly doubt he will care if I’m flirting with anyone.”
This was news to me. Granted, I didn’t speak to my brother often, except for the occasional monthly check-ins. But I could have sworn he had once called this girl his entire world.
His devotion to her was what angered me the most. After all, she had done to our family. But then again, he didn’t know about Amelia and mine’s connection from 16 years earlier; he wasn’t there.
“Wait a minute; you were with baby Cane?” Xander let out a low laugh. “How did that asshole land you? No offense to the guy, but you are a straight ten. I mean, you are a total knockout.”
“Xander,” I didn’t like how he kept talking to her like they were chums—the more distance between her and me, the better. I didn’t need to be befriending the woman responsible for my family’s pain.
Amelia blushed. “I don’t know about all that, but thank you, I guess.”
Amelia’s name was called in the background for her order pick-up.
“That’s me,” she said, smiling at Xander. “It was nice meeting you, Xander. Hopefully, I will see you around and next time with a more agreeable company.”
The slight dig my way was cute and unnecessary. She didn’t need to sit with us.
Technically, I had come to sit with them. But Xander was my friend. God, I sounded like a jealous teen girl.
“I will see you around.” I noticed him handing her a phone—her phone. “I have your number, and I took the liberty of putting in my number for you. Maybe we can grab coffee sometime.”
I ground my teeth together, but I didn’t say anything.
Amelia’s blush deepened, and she left us by ourselves.
When she was out of earshot, I slapped my best friend upside down.
“Ow, what was that for?” He pouted like a child. “First my lungs and now my skull? What the hell?”
“Stay away from her,” I said
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s not reason enough, I’m afraid. Is it because she is your brother’s ex?”
That should have been the main reason, but it wasn’t. It was something much deeper than that. Something that I had never told a single soul.
“Yeah, it would be too messy. She and Jacob have a long history.”
And so did me and her.
4
AMELIA
I scrolled through my emails and smiled at all the responses I had gotten. Working as a freelance photographer, you never truly knew how the business would go. But moving here to Chicago has already proved more profitable for my business.
I loved taking pictures of newborns and pregnant women. There was something so beautiful about these little lives that were being formed.
It was always a dream of mine to have my little mini-me. To grow a life in my belly with someone I love. I was halfway there with that dream until Jake ended it all.
I quickly shook my head and removed all thoughts of my treacherous ex. I was starting a new life and was sure I would find a new love. Maybe not now, but in the future, I was sure. I was worthy of being loved by a man wholly and fully.
I had just finished my schedule for the month when I heard a knock at the door. I got up from my bed and made my way to it. When I opened the door, I was met with forest-green eyes.
