12. Trevor
Chapter twelve
Trevor
M y phone buzzed incessantly on the nightstand, jolting me awake. I blinked groggily and grabbed it, my eyes widening as I scrolled through the notifications. Frances's blog post had gone viral overnight, and there, front and center, was a photo of Amelia and me locked in a passionate kiss, Hero cradled between us.
I smirked, amused by the town's predictable gossip mill. Let them talk. Amelia was a fantastic woman, and I was darn lucky to be with her.
I fired off a text. Morning, beautiful. Looks like we're the talk of the town .
Oh no, I'm afraid to check... Is it bad? she texted back.
No, just expect some extra business at the flower shop from all your new fans. Or should I say nosy townspeople. ;)
I can handle it as long as you're my #1 fan. 3
I grinned. Amelia always knew just what to say. My smile faded slightly as I thought of the one person who wasn't a fan—her overprotective brother Kevin.
I'd texted him yesterday, suggesting we meet to talk. Time to face this head-on. Hopping out of bed, I threw on some clothes and whistled for Hero. "C'mon buddy, we've got a mission today."
His ears perked up, and he scampered over, tail wagging madly. I clipped on his leash, took a deep breath, and headed out the door—no backing out now.
I mounted my motorcycle, Hero nestled securely in his carrier. The park was just a few blocks away, but I decided to take the long way around, needing the open road to clear my thoughts.
Revving the engine, I sped down the winding roads, the cool morning air whipping past me. The trees and houses of Rivermint Cove blurred into a picturesque watercolor painting as I raced by.
I pulled up to the park, unclipped Hero from his carrier, and put him on his leash. I scanned the park and spotted Kevin by a bench, looking stern.
"Kevin," I greeted with a firm nod, unclipping Hero's leash. With a swift motion, I tossed a tennis ball across the yard, setting off Hero in a wild chase after it.
"Trevor." Kevin nodded back, eyeing Hero warily. "What did you want to discuss?"
I met his gaze steadily. "It's about Amelia and me."
"What about you and Amelia?"
I didn't flinch. "I know you have reservations about me, and I get it. But I care about her, Kevin. A lot."
He crossed his arms, jaw tightening. "Yeah, well, I heard about you in high school. She needs stability. She deserves someone who can be everything she needs, and Trevor...I'm not convinced that's you."
I stood my ground. “You're right about high school, but I've changed. The military shaped me up, giving me purpose and discipline. I intend to apply that to every aspect of my life, including my relationship with Amelia."
"That's just it," Kevin sighed, uncrossing his arms. "Trust isn't something easily given, Trevor. It's earned." He picked up a stick and threw it for Hero, who darted off after it with a joyful bark.
I nodded, my voice steady. "I know that, and I plan to earn it. Just give me a chance to prove myself."
Kevin sobered slightly, but the hard edge had left his eyes. "I'm not making any promises, but... I'm willing to keep an open mind. Just don't make me regret it."
"You won't," I assured him confidently. "I only want what's best for Amelia."
He clapped me on the shoulder, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We'll see about that. But for now, I better get back to work."
I watched Kevin stride away, then checked my phone to find a message from Amelia.
" Hey, Trevor... dinner at my place tonight? Hope Kevin didn't give you too hard a time."
I typed back: " Dinner sounds great. And don't worry about Kevin. We had a good talk."
Her reply came quickly: "I'm so glad! See you at 7."
I pocketed my phone and glanced down at Hero, who seemed to sense my mood. His tail wagged furiously as he looked up at me. I clipped his leash on and headed to my motorcycle.
On the way home, I decided to bring Amelia a gift. Remembering her love for yoga, I stopped by "Zen Zone," a local studio I'd noticed recently.
Inside, I was greeted by a petite woman with flowing gray hair. "Welcome, dear. How may I assist you on your journey today?"
I grinned at her new-age charm. "I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend. She's into yoga."
The woman's eyes lit up. "Ah, a gift from the heart. Let me show you our selection of eco-friendly yoga mats. Each one is unique, just like the soul who uses it."
I chose a mat with vibrant flowers against a deep green background. Perfect for Amelia.
"That's the one," I said decisively.
On a whim, I stopped by the store and picked up a bottle of sparkling grape juice before heading to Amelia's.
When I arrived, Amelia opened the door with a radiant smile. The aroma of her cooking wafted out, making my mouth water.
"Something smells amazing," I said, stepping inside.
"I hope you're hungry." Amelia walked over and grabbed something off the counter. "Oh, and I have a little something for Hero, too."
She had baked him a gourmet dog treat, and Hero's tail wagged frantically as he gobbled it up. I laughed, touched by Amelia's thoughtfulness.
"I got you something, too." I handed her the bottle of grape juice and the yoga mat.
Amelia unrolled the mat and traced her fingers over the intricate design. "Trevor, this is gorgeous! And my favorite brand of juice. You're so sweet."
She set the gifts aside and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug.
We settled at the dining table, and Amelia proudly presented her culinary creation—a fragrant pasta dish with a vibrant sauce. My stomach rumbled in anticipation.
"This looks incredible, Amelia," I said, genuinely impressed. "You've outdone yourself."
She beamed at the compliment. "Wait until you taste it."
I twirled a generous forkful of pasta and popped it into my mouth. The flavors exploded on my tongue, but an intense, fiery sensation overwhelmed me within seconds. My eyes began to water, and I could feel my face turning red.
Amelia's brow furrowed with concern. "Trevor, are you okay?"
I nodded, not wanting to worry her, but the heat continued to build. I reached for my water glass, taking a large gulp to quench the inferno in my mouth.
Amelia, curious about my reaction, took a tentative bite herself. Her eyes widened, and she jumped up from her seat, grabbing the jar of spice she'd used.
"Oh no!" she groaned, reading the label more closely. "Spicy Garlic Blend? I didn't realize it had ghost pepper flakes in it!"
I tried to respond, but my mouth was on fire. I croaked out, "That's... quite a kick for garlic."
"I picked this up at the farmer's market last week. The vendor said it would 'add some excitement' to my cooking. I guess this isn't quite what I had in mind!"
My lips still tingled from the heat, but I couldn't help but chuckle at the crazy mix-up.
"Well, this is one dinner we won't forget."
Amelia sat back in her chair, looking defeated. "I'm so sorry, Trevor. I wanted everything to be perfect."
I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "Hey, it is perfect. A little spice never hurt anyone."
She squeezed my hand, her smile softening. "You're amazing, you know that?"
An idea struck me, and I stood up, pulling Amelia with me. "Come on, I know just the thing to cool us down. Let's go get some ice cream in town."
Amelia's face lit up. "That sounds perfect!"
I decided to leave Hero at home, so I ran upstairs and put him in his kennel, promising him a treat when I returned.
Amelia was waiting outside when I got back downstairs. Mayor Tom's booming voice cut through the evening air as we walked towards the ice cream shop. "Well, well, who do we have here?"
I turned to see him approaching, his colorful bowtie askew as usual. "Evening, Mayor," I greeted, straightening my posture instinctively.
"I saw Frances's photo of you two lovebirds. The whole town's buzzing about it!" His eyes darted between us, obviously hoping we would share some details.
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "News travels fast in Rivermint Cove."
Amelia chimed in, trying to change the subject. "It's a lovely evening, isn't it, Mayor Tom?"
"Indeed it is." He must have gotten the message because he didn't try to pry. "So, how's the butterfly project coming along?"
I answered promptly, wanting to get to the ice cream shop. "It's on track, sir. We're making good progress. If you'll excuse us, we're heading for some ice cream."
"Of course, of course," he chuckled. "Enjoy your evening."
As we walked away, Amelia giggled. "What's so funny?"
"Just you," she replied, looping her arm through mine. "So serious and formal with Mayor Tom. Is that your firefighter voice?"
I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders. "Old habits die hard."
We stepped inside the ice cream shop, savoring the sweet aroma of waffle cones and toppings.
After some deliberation, I chose a rich chocolate gelato, while Amelia opted for a bright green pistachio. We settled at a table by the window, enjoying our creamy treats and each other's company.
"So," I said between spoonfuls. "What do you say we go on a hike this Saturday? There's a place I used to go as a teenager with the most incredible view of the town."
"I'd love that, Trevor." Her forehead wrinkled with thought. "But I've never really gone hiking before. What should I wear? And should I pack a lunch?"
I smiled reassuringly. "Comfortable shoes are a must; wear something you don't mind getting dirty. As for food, leave that to me."
A blush colored her cheeks, making her eyes sparkle in the soft glow of the shop's lights. I found myself lost in their depth, wanting to explore more than just the scenic view of Rivermint Cove.
"That sounds like fun. I can't wait."
"Great. I'll pick you up early Saturday morning then." I looked down at my phone and noticed the time. "We should probably head back. I promised Hero a treat and he needs to be let out."
She nodded, and we disposed of our ice cream cups before heading outside.
We strolled back to Amelia's place, our conversation flowing effortlessly. The topic turned to the butterfly project, and I got caught up in her enthusiasm.
"What would be the best time to release them during the festival?" Amelia asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Mid-day would be perfect." I envisioned the colorful wings taking flight under the bright sun, painting the sky with their graceful dance.
Amelia nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "I love that idea. And you know what else we could do? Host a butterfly ball that evening!"
I chuckled, picturing the town dressed up in colorful, whimsical outfits. "A butterfly ball, huh? That sounds like something Grace would be all over."
"Oh, absolutely! I'll talk to her about it tomorrow."
As we reached her doorstep, a comfortable silence settled between us. I looked down at Amelia, her dark eyes shining in the soft glow of the porch light.
Without hesitation, I leaned in and gently kissed her lips. She responded immediately, raising her hand to rest on my chest.
"Goodnight, Amelia," I said softly.
She smiled, her fingers lingering on my shirt. "Goodnight, Trevor. Thank you for a wonderful evening."
I made my way upstairs to my apartment, hearing Hero's excited yips from inside as I unlocked the door.
I grinned, opening the door and kneeling to greet him. "Hey there, buddy! Ready for a quick walk?"
Hero's tail went wild as I grabbed his leash. "Alright, let's go."
As we walked, I couldn't help thinking about Amelia and our night. The dinner was a disaster, but her face was priceless when she realized what happened. And the ice cream after? Perfect save.
It was strange how the whole mess just made me like her more. Amelia had a way of turning screw-ups into something fun. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed that much.
As we headed back, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was falling for her. Hard.
Part of me wanted to panic. It had been a long time since I let anyone get close. But with Amelia? It felt right.
She was real. No games, no BS. Just Amelia.
Crawling into bed, I felt... good. Really good. Whatever came next, I was all in.
We'd figure it out together. One day at a time.