Chapter 33
Amelia
I’ve changed outfits at least three times.
A dress, then a skirt, then linen pants, but none of them are what I’m aiming for.
I want to look effortless, not like I’m trying too hard.
Elegant, but not over the top. Finally, Mom suggests dark jeans and black knee-high boots, and I slip into a pair with a sigh of relief.
It’s the perfect balance of casual and put-together.
I stand in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands down the material.
My makeup is simple, just enough to enhance my features without screaming, I spent an hour on this.
My hair is in a half updo, keeping my look sleek and polished, but not overly done.
Black boots give me just the right amount of height without the discomfort of high heels.
I take a breath. This is happening. Our first real date. He wouldn’t tell me where we’re going, just said to dress comfortable, which left me second-guessing every outfit.
A firm knock on the front door sends my heart into overdrive. I press my palm to my chest as if I can steady it, but the butterflies inside me are relentless. My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for the handle.
When I open the door, he’s standing there on time, of course.
Adrian’s dark pants fit him perfectly, and his white shirt and jacket hug his broad shoulders in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. His hair is freshly cut, neat and styled, and I can smell his aftershave. A mix of deep velvety cocoa and entirely him.
He grins, running his gaze over me slowly. “Hi.”
I smile back as my heart stutters. “Hi.”
“You look beautiful.” He leans in and kisses me.
“And you look very handsome yourself.”
Mom steps forward, hands clasped. “Have a great time, you two.”
“I will,” I promise, though guilt tugs as I glance around the house. It’s still unsettling, leaving her alone like this. But she looks more like herself than she has in months, and that helps ease some of the knot in my chest.
“Call me if you need me.”
“I will.”
She waves us off, and Adrian extends his hand. As I slide my fingers into his, he gives them a light squeeze before leading me toward his car. His palm is soft and warm, like he’s silently telling me he’s got me.
“This will probably be one of the only times you get to enjoy this car.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“I’ve been shopping around for trucks. Decided it’s time to fully commit.”
I turn to him with a teasing grin. “I can see you in a truck.”
My mind flickers to an image of him with an elbow out the window, wind ruffling his hair, looking like a lumberjack, even though he’s a doctor. His solid jaw, the way his strong hands grip the wheel. Yeah, that suits him.
As we reach the car, he opens the door for me like a gentleman, and I slide inside. Before I can even adjust my coat, he’s already jogging around to the driver’s side, slipping in with an easy confidence.
“So.” I buckle my seatbelt. “Where are we going?”
“Not telling.” He winks.
“There aren’t that many places around here. I could just guess.”
“You could,” he says, pulling out of the driveway. “But where’s the fun in that?”
“I’ll figure it out soon enough.”
His lips quirk in amusement.
A few minutes later, I do exactly that. My mouth parts as we pull up in front of the new town restaurant. Pulse a soft, reassuring touch. “Of course.”
Emotion wells in my throat, making it hard for me to breathe. “That’s really kind of you,” I say. “And if I can work from home and write about fashion? That would be amazing.”
We sit back as the first round of food arrives: bruschetta with goat cheese and fig jam that’s all locally produced.
We dig in, and I notice Adrian seems more relaxed here than I’ve seen him in a while. The light softens his features, and I forget about anyone else in the room. After a few bites, I ask, “So, how’s work?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “Things are actually good. The people are decent… some keep to themselves, but there are a few who’ve been really welcoming.”
“That’s good,” I say, genuinely happy for him. “Are you finally feeling settled?”
He hesitates, then nods. “Actually… yeah. And something big happened the other day.”
I lean in. “Tell me.”
He meets my eyes, something intense flickering there.
“I had an emergency case… a heart attack. And I handled it. No hesitation. Just got in there, took control, and helped.” His fingers tighten around his glass.
“I haven’t told you this, but your mom helped me a lot with moving forward after my dad passed.
Because of her, I was able to confront my fear, let it go, and just focus on doing my job again. And it felt good. Really good.”
I reach across the table, and he releases his glass, letting me hold his hand. “I had no idea it bothered you that much. You should’ve told me.”
His thumb brushes over my skin, eyes locking on mine. “I didn’t know how to. I barely wanted to admit it to myself.”
And as we sit there, fingers intertwined, I realize something. I don’t just like Adrian.
I’m falling in love with him.