Chapter 19
Amelia
His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me close until there’s no room between us. Resting his forehead against mine, he exhales slowly, his breath hot against my lips.
“I won’t get the promotion if anyone finds out I’m with you.
” My voice is rough with something that isn’t quite regret but isn’t exactly peace either.
“Even the appearance could kill my chances. Luna needs to trust that I can maintain professional boundaries.” I tilt my head back, meeting his gaze, and it’s impossible to ignore the way his blue eyes darken under the daylight.
He kisses the tip of my nose, a touch so soft it sends a shiver through me.
I can see him wrestling with something as his grip tightens slightly.
“Maybe…” he starts, his thumb tracing along my hip. “Maybe we could keep this between us. You know, just see where it goes without everyone watching.”
Something coils in my chest at his words. “So, we’re a secret?”
“Not a secret. Private. There’s a difference. I just want to figure out what this is without the whole town having opinions about it. I’d like it to stay out of the bulletin. And I don’t want you to face repercussions at work when we don’t know what this is yet.”
I study his face, seeing the conflict there. I completely understand the idea of exploring whatever this is without judgment. It sounds appealing.
“It’s not something I’ve ever done before.”
He lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Me neither.”
His mouth finds mine, claiming me like I’m something he’s been waiting for. My hands slide over his arms, up his neck, threading into his hair, pulling him closer. Every inch of him is solid, heat and muscle beneath my fingers, a presence I could lose myself in so easily.
We part, and he presses his lips against my temple, his breath a little uneven. “You’re too good to be true.”
“I could say the same about you.” I don’t want to distance myself from him.
It’s going to be hard to keep this casual.
“At least we have a place to meet,” I whisper.
His eyes flick to the bridge above us. “No one really comes down here?”
“No, hardly ever. Maybe some boys who are trying to fish on occasion.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here before we do something that’ll make this whole self-control thing harder than it already is.” A low rumble leaves his chest. “Don’t tempt me, Trouble.”
I grin as my stomach flips. “Thanks for the interview. Can’t wait to show Luna tomorrow.”
We’re still standing close, his arms loosely around my waist. Our fingers brush as I pull away, tangling just enough to share heat. It’s crazy how something so small can make my skin tingle.
“You’re different than I expected.” I’m not even sure if I mean the words to come out.
“Different?”
“Opposite of me, but exactly what I needed.”
He studies me for a second before his expression softens. “I’m alone, and you come from a big family, and somehow, you’re letting me in.” His fingers trail lightly over mine. “I mean, I know it’s just been one dinner, but the way your family welcomed me, it’s not something I’m used to.”
I nod as we head to our cars. “I know how much that means to you.”
He smiles, but there’s something vulnerable in it.
“Not gonna lie, I was surprised at first. But the fact that everyone’s so welcoming and kind, it makes this so fucking hard.
” He looks away for a second before locking eyes with me again.
“Because I want you. I want this. But we both deserve the things we’ve worked for.
You need this promotion. I finally have a chance for a fresh start. People accepting me.”
“I know,” I whisper, hating how small my voice sounds. Hating even more that he’s right.
His hand cups my jaw, his thumb rubbing over my cheek. The tenderness of the gesture makes it worse… makes me want to lean into his palm and forget about promotions and fresh starts and all the very logical reasons this can’t work.
My throat stings as I glance at the time. “All right, well, we better go, or my mom will start asking questions.”
He nods, but he still loosely holds my hand. “And Keith will get suspicious if I’m late. I told him I’d go golfing with him when I got back.”
A small smile plays at the corner of my lips. “That’s a bit cute.” I turn my head, studying him in the daylight as we walk back toward the parking lot. “But you don’t strike me as a golf guy.”
“I’m not.” He shrugs, running a hand through his hair. “Never really played before. It’s not something I did, not even with my dad. But maybe it’ll be nice. Something to do with Keith. A bonding thing.”
I stop beside my car, arms crossed. “What did you and your dad do together?”
His expression shifts slightly. “Watched sports, mostly. He was really into them, so we’d go to games. Nothing much beyond that.”
I nod, letting his words settle between us before I say, “Mom and I used to walk. The kids would go on their bike rides, before, you know, she got too tired.” The flashbacks hit me hard—how she would point out different flowers and trees, and always pack extra snacks.
Now she gets exhausted after doing something as simple as showering.
“She’ll get better,” he says gently. “Lots of people live perfectly healthy lives with atrial fibrillation. It’s just the initial diagnosis and adjustment that’s tough.”
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Medication, testing, all of that.” I want to believe him, but the cardiologist’s words about lifestyle changes and monitoring keep playing in my mind. And I can see the worry in Mom’s eyes, even when she’s trying to be optimistic.
A quiet moment passes, and our fingers brush once more. The separation feels wrong, like snapping something I desperately want to hold on to.
When I straighten, I hesitate, glancing at him.
His hands are in his pockets, shoulders slightly tense. “I don’t want this to end. I only just kissed you.”
A lump forms in my throat, and I force out a wry smile. “Worried you’ll need me more than I’ll need you?”
He huffs a quiet laugh. “Come on, don’t make me sound sappy. I know you like that hard-ass side of me.”
“Oh, I know it’s there,” I tease, leaning against the car. “Just… not with me.”
He watches me with that sharp gaze of his. “Nothing like the reporter I thought you were.”
“So, you don’t think I’m Dr. Whisperer now?”
He shakes his head, the corner of his mouth quirking up.
“Hell no. Deep down, that heart of yours is too big to be malicious.” His gaze softens slightly.
“Sure, you added a few twists, made me sound bad without my full story, but… I still don’t love how you painted me in that first article. I get why you did it, though.”
I swallow. “My thoughts on you have changed. I would never write about you like that now. And I’m going to spend tomorrow making sure this article reflects who you really are. Hopefully, the town will see you differently.”
He brushes his hand tenderly against my cheek. “I hope so.”
I smile. “Go have fun at golf. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Text me later.”
“And you… go hang out with your family. Can’t wait to read my article.”
“Oh, you’ll love it.”
“Not too nice. Don’t want to shock the town too much.”
I shake my head. “No, I just want them to see what I see.”
I glance around the lot, noting it’s still empty, but we’re completely exposed out here. Anyone could drive by. His gaze holds mine before he steps closer, stopping me before I can get into my car. “We shouldn’t—” I start, but he’s already moving.
His hand finds my waist, and then his lips are on mine, sending my stomach somersaulting.
I giggle against him, breathless. “God, I feel like a teenager.” But even as I say it, I’m pulling back slightly, my eyes darting toward the road. “Someone could see us.”
He grins. “But it feels good, doesn’t it?”
I nod, fingers grazing his wrist. “Yeah. Feels great.”
“I’ll see you soon?”
I swallow, nodding. “See you soon.”
The next day, I walk into work with a lightness in my step, something I haven’t felt in a long time. Excitement bubbles under my skin as I settle at my desk, ready to tackle the day.
“Hey,” Violet calls from across the office, looking up from her screen. “Great event Saturday.”
“Thanks.” I can’t help but grin.
“I sent you the pictures. Did you get the interview for the article?”
“Yeah, I did.” I pause, trying to find the words. “His story makes sense, you know? It all fits together.”
She nods. “Did you get a photo of him?”
I groan dramatically. “Ugh, he’s so damn annoying.”
She leans in. “What do you mean?”
“Just so photogenic. Like, it took one shot. One. And it was perfect.” I recall yesterday, the way the light caught his features, how he looked so effortlessly handsome even after sharing something so personal and painful.
And then there was that moment when he looked at me with such raw vulnerability, like he was trusting me with pieces of himself he’d never shown anyone else.
Violet laughs. “Some people are just like that. So unfair.”
“How was the wedding you went to yesterday?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Oh, it was beautiful.” She sighs. “Honestly, so nice. But also, kind of daunting. You know, that many people all at once.”
“You’ll make a beautiful bride.”
She beams. “Aw, thanks. So would you.”
I glance down quickly, avoiding her gaze. My heart stutters for a second, and I almost say something about Adrian. But I don’t. Not yet.
The stakes are too high right now. I can’t risk anyone thinking I’m unprofessional, not when I’m up for this promotion. Once I get it and can finally pay off the bills that keep threatening to go to collections, then maybe I can be more open about whatever this is between us.
I shake off the thought and get back to work, pulling up my notes and typing the article. I’ll edit it after I get the first draft down, then add a photo.
By the time I finish, I’m happy with how it sounds. I attach the image, review it one more time, and then call Violet over. “Come, take a look at this.”
She leans over my desk as I show the article to her. Her eyes scan the screen, and then she grins. “This is great. And… wow. He does look hot.”
“He was easy to work with.”
“You did a really good job.”
Smiling, I email the article to Luna and head to her office. “Hey, I sent you the interview with Adrian Pierce.” I sit in the chair across from her desk.
Luna starts reading, nodding along. “Oh, great photo.” She scans the article further, her expression shifting. “Wow. His story is… heartbreaking.”
“Yeah,” I respond. “When he told me, I felt awful. His dad, everything he went through… and now he’s here, trying to start fresh.” I have to keep my voice neutral, even though his story makes my chest ache. I can’t let it show.
She exhales, looking up at me. “It makes a lot of sense now.”
I nod. “It does.”
“Well,” she says, tapping her fingernails against her desk. “I’m glad he’s here. And this is a great article. Your best work yet.”
A warmth spreads through me. “Thanks, Luna.”
“Get it scheduled for print.”
I hold back a grin. “Will do.”
Back at my desk, I pull out my phone, staring at his number. I shouldn’t text him. But I want to. We agreed to keep things a secret. But after sharing something so intimate yesterday, the distance almost feels cruel.
Me: The article was a huge hit with my boss. Thank you. I feel the promotion coming.
A response comes almost immediately.
Adrian: I never doubted you.