|37| • Amelia
My insides had turned to mush.
How long had I imagined this day when working at the bakery?
How long had I wondered if Evie was ever going to ask me to be his girlfriend?
It was a long shot in thought, I mean, he was a handsome man with a gorgeous ex-fiancée, he was kind, older and more experienced.
Would he want someone as naive as me? For a moment, I thought we were just flirting, but then he started pecking me every now and then, telling me how pretty I was.
It was scary to think after all that, he'd find another woman and like her more. But...I was the other woman— if it even made sense. Everest really wanted me to be his girlfriend? How cool was that? Me? Amelia!
I blinked to myself, hadn't I replied? Oh no! I hadn't! I was far too awestruck to do so. As if breaking from the trance, I squealed, hugging him tightly, still straddling him. "Yes!"
Wait, did that sound too eager?
"I mean, it's cool or whatever." I tried to play off but my insides were buzzing, heck, I could barely stay still. Everest gave me a smirk, his eyebrows arching at my response. "It's cool or whatever?" He repeated, making me blush. "I mean if you insist." I played along, rolling my eyes.
"I definitely insist, you sassy one."
This made me giggle, hugging him tighter.
His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close, his breath feathering against my neck.
We were so close it was as though we were one.
I loved the warmth that oozed from him. This was one of the happiest I'd been, my first boyfriend.
..was Everest Simon. How awesome did that sound?
He was one neat package. I giggled, snuggling into him.
"I'm glad you said yes," Everest whispered, his large warm hands placed on my back, that was definitely my line!
I hadn't had a boyfriend before but Evie had been engaged, the thought alone weighed on my shoulders but his hold reassured me.
He liked me for who I was, right? I smiled, chewing on the insides of my cheeks.
"I'm happy you asked. No, I'm over the moon." I corrected with a grin, pulling back slightly to get a good look at the man...my man. Gosh! That was going to take some time to get used to, my weak heart squealed at the use of personal pronouns on him.
I noticed how his hair slicked back effortlessly, loose strands falling to his forehead.
Everest's hair was a shade of dirty blonde, he didn't have curls, and the strands were more straight and obedient.
His sharp eyebrows were browner than his hair.
Staring into his warm brown eyes made my heart swoon, I simply felt like staying this way until dawn.
Everest's jaw was chiselled, anyone could tell he was fit just by taking a look at his face.
Light brown hair peeked out of his chest, trailing down.
Everest was a handsome man, it caused me to blush when I stared too long.
"What?" Everest asked, his eyebrows raising and his light pink lower lips arching up to form a cute expression.
I giggled, shaking my head. How puppy-like could this man look?
Feeling cheeky, I place a bold, long peck on his jaw, the strands of light brown hair which covered his cheek tickled my lips.
I liked how trimmed and connected his beard was.
Especially the moustache he had left to grow for a bit.
As I pulled away, I felt his stare on me.
Pursing my lips, I looked up with a slight tilt, "You're just pretty.
" My head was still arched up, close to his face.
I liked being this close to him without feeling guilty.
His entranced look cracked into a smile before he let out a laugh.
"I'm pretty?" Evie asked, his voice low.
I nodded. "You're a pretty man." He smirked, his lips moving closer to mine.
Don't move away. I told myself, feeling giddy inside as I anticipated what he was going to do.
Kiss me? To be honest, I really missed kissing him.
Like, really missed it. Okay, you don't want to know that, sorry.
Everest stopped before his lips touched mine and I have to say, it took restraint not to nudge my lips into his.
"Can I?" He asked. As polite as ever.
"You don't have to ask, at least not anymore.
" I didn't mind him asking, but I'd prefer him to catch me by surprise.
Ah, why am I thinking this? "See?
" I continued, placing a peck on his lips, my heart thudding.
Gosh, when did I get so bold, the expression on Everest's face voiced the same question?
I licked my lips, narrowing my gaze. Maybe that was too forward?
"Yes ma'am." He finally spoke, his smirk making him look even more handsome.
Evie's hand cupped my neck, angling it to the side before taking my lips.
I must say, my tummy had never done so many flips in a minute.
Our breath was scented of food, but I didn't mind, my hand subconsciously went around his neck, deepening the kiss.
I could run out of breath and still go on kissing this man. Dear Lord, I am in trouble now.
He broke it off, both of us letting out a sigh, my breathing a bit harder.
Flustered, I turned away, hiding my face in my palms. Did I seem desperate just now?
"Hey, baby." He cooed, taking my hand away from my face.
"That was quite the kiss." Everest teased, his eyes on me.
His words flamed my cheeks, it felt as those it was going to melt from how hot my face was.
"You didn't like it?" He asked again when I didn't say anything, well, I couldn't say anything, I was too flustered too. Not wanting him to misunderstand, I shake my hand profusely. "No, it's not that. Most definitely not that." When Everest pouted, I couldn't help myself, I leaned in again.
"I was just hoping you did."
I admitted nervously, and just like that, our lips were moulded in another kiss. How many seconds had passed? I felt myself get deeper into the kiss, my head feeling fuzzy. Again, Evie pulled away. "Let's not get carried away there." He chuckled, wiping my bottom lip.
"Okay?"
"Okay." I breathed out, smiling at him. Thank God he wasn't like those boys who'd take any opportunity to have their way with the girl they were dating. The last thing I was ready to do was to have sex...even with him. Surely, he'd understand.
"So, what other tasty treat do you have in store?
" I asked, we hadn't taken dessert yet. Silly I forgot to take the coffee cake I got from the bakery the other day.
It was still sitting pretty in the fridge – that was if Abel hadn't gulped it down by now.
Everest nodded, gripping my waist, and placing me on the mat as though I didn't weigh that much, squealing, I tried not to wiggle out of his hold.
"I...have something delicious prepared." He uttered, looking down at my lap, for a second, he paused, and then I realized what he was staring at.
My dress had hiked up to a dangerously high spot, revealing my lap.
I blushed, looking away and trying to play it cool.
"You're going to love it." He spoke once more, taking the hem of my dress and using it to cover some part of my exposed lap.
"That better?" Everest whispered like we weren't the only ones for meters.
Feeling shy, I nodded, not as exposed as before.
"I won't tell you how long I took on this pastry 'cause it'll dent my ego, all that matters is the finished product which I'm quite proud of but I digress.
" His words tickled my insides, it was good to know I wasn't the only one who liked to ramble.
"I present to you..." He worded dramatically, darting his eyes at me.
"Drumrolls, darling." Oh! I laughed, drumming on my lap, playing his little game.
"The exquisite apple crumble!" By now I was laughing hard, clapping my hands as he presented the treat.
It was as he said, an apple crumble, not wanting to comment on the appearance and make him feel bad, I tried to hold in a giggle.
"Whoo! How lucky am I? I get a chef in you too!
" I said the last line teasingly, watching as he scooped up the melting ice cream from the cooler, packing a spoon of apple crumble on it.
'Thank you, kind sir." He smirked, pecking my lips. "You're welcome, my lady."
"Who taught you how to make this? From what I remember, you could barely make a confetti cake.
" I asked, taking a spoonful of the dessert, to be honest, it was pretty tasty, it just didn't look the best. I took another spoon, humming loudly.
"You like?" Everest asked with hopeful eyes.
"I watched a lot of videos to get it right.
So, is my woman impressed?" He leaned in when asking this.
I giggled, nodding. "Quite impressed." Taking my spoon, I scooped a bit of the desert, stretching to feed him even though he had his own.
Evie gladly took the dessert from my spoon, his tongue darting over the metal.
"Yummy." Were his words, his gaze was still on me.
"Hey! I'm still using the spoon you know!
" It wasn't like I minded much anyways.
"Says the one who'd kissed me twice in one day.
" He mumbled, sitting up straight. I scoffed, playfully nudging his side.
"Oh! Evie guess what?" I recalled wanting to tell him all about the new friend I made -- if I could call her that yet. "What?" He asked with his lips stained with ice cream. I giggled, going to wipe it off. "I said guess, silly."
"Uh...you're getting a dog?"
"Nope. I mean, I'd love a puppy but not yet." I cooed, imagining getting a brown, furry puppy. I'd name him Simone. Not because I think Evie looks like a cute puppy sometimes, I happened to like his name for the dog. "What is it then?"
He was really bad at guessing. "I made a new friend!
Her name is Binta! I met her the day...well, the day I saw Florescent in the mechanic workshop.
" Calling Everest's ex-fiancee didn't prick me as much as it used to any more, perhaps it was because I had more assurance now.
She was in the past, and frankly, I'd want to keep their relationship there.
"Binta?" Everest asked as if tasting her name on his lips.
"Yep, she's dark-skinned and funny. To be honest, her face was a bit mean when I first saw her.
That reminds me, I have to message her." She told me to tell her how the picnic went.
I knew I didn't have to but a part of me wanted to message her again, so I made a mental note to do so later.
"Where'd you meet her?" He asked, listening to me.
"At a bakery. I guess I'm just excited because I don't have a lot of friends.
" Before I started the job at the bakery, the only friend I had was Darrick.
Now Preston and Ava were in the picture.
Everest grinned, resting his chin against his hand, "How come you don't talk about your friends from high school?
" His question made me pause, oh right, them.
I laughed, playing with my fingers. "In high school, I guess I had a lot of female friends, most of them were in it because of my brother Abel.
When I told them Abel found a girlfriend, they deemed it my fault and didn't really speak to me again.
" It hurt to remember, but I was a bit over it now.
I saw Everest's eyes narrow. "Well, that's ridiculous. "
"There was this friend, Janice. We were close for a bit, but she left before graduation and hasn't contacted me since. I guess I never really hit it off long enough to have long-term friends." I completed, shrinking at the thought. It was all in the past now. I felt him hold onto my hand.
"Oh, it's fine now. Really. I mean, sure I was broken back then but I'm totally fine now."
Everest nodded. "They weren't good friends anyways." I chuckled, shrugging. "I guess so."
"I guess we were both loners," I say while squeezing his hand. Everest scrunched his nose before laughing. "That's one way to put it." Two loners, falling in love. I giggled at my silly thought.
"This is the best and only picnic I've ever had." We were looking into each other's eyes, hands intertwined. "Yeah?" Evie uttered with a smile. I nodded, and he pulled my hand to his lips, placing a kiss. "I'm glad you think so." He said.
By the time we started packing up, it was almost dawn.
Evie had asked if I wanted to meet his sister today, and I of course said yes.
I had heard a lot about her -- at least more than twice -- so she sparked my interest. Evie said she was seventeen, which was only three years off from my age.
Would she find it weird that I was now dating her older brother?
I mean Darrick found it weird, repulsive even. That was what worried me.
The ride back to his house was calming, soft tunes played from the radio as we drove in silence.
I couldn't stop myself from smiling or giggling whenever our eyes met, he had placed my palm on his lap, saying he wanted some sort of physical contact.
My hands were quite small compared to his lap.
Absentmindedly, I traced circles on irregular shapes on his lap. I liked this. I liked...him.
"Will you teach me to drive?" I asked from the blues, surprising myself as well. Perhaps this was another reason to see more of him. He hummed, placing a hand on mine. "You want to learn how to drive?" I'd always wanted to learn how to drive, even though my getting a car was a long shot.
Everest chuckled.
"Sure thing, princess."
Oh, a new endearment? My heart just couldn't catch a break, could it?
"Would you? So I can take your truck for a cruise.
You can be the passenger princess." I grinned.
"Give you my Hilux to cruise? Ah, no can do baby.
" I pouted, folding my arms. "Oh, c'mon.
You could crash it." He explained but I continued feigning anger.
"Alright fine, you can drive it when your hand is perfectly steady."
"Okay-"
"And I'll always be in the car." He adds with a smirk, "For you know, protection."
"Or you're just scared I'll crash it when I'm alone." Evie gasped, placing his free hand on his chest, "Me? No way." This made me roll my eyes, the smile on my lips refusing to leave.
After a while, we parked the car next to his house.
How many times had I been here? I wasn't sure but I still felt my nerves ringing, especially since I was going to meet his sister.
Ah, I wanted to leave a good impression on her.
If she didn't like me, would Everest feel bad?
Shaking my head, I tried not to think about it.
Switching off the ignition, Everest got out.
"We're here. Don't be nervous okay? She's been waiting to meet you. "
I climbed out as well, helping him with the empty coolers.
As he unlocked the door, I felt my palms get sweaty, what if his family didn't approve of me?
What if they preferred someone more like Florescent?
My heart would definitely sink if that happened.
As though Everest sensed my uneasiness, he called my name softly.
"Yeah?" I asked, giving him a smile.
"I can see how hard you're thinking right now.
Just be yourself, princess." At this, I smiled genuinely.
How could he possibly see me thinking? I believed his reassurance, wanting to hug him but this cooler I held unto didn't let me.
Everest cracked open the door with his leg, nudging his head for me to go in.
I did, the brightness of the hallway before the living room welcoming me.
Just be yourself.
His words rang in my head. "I'm back!" Everest called out, walking further into the living room while I had a mental battle with myself. I heard voices in the living room, was the whole family down here? Gah, this was even more nerve-wracking.
"Dad, you so cringe." A light and lively voice called out before a gruff laugh bellowed.
"Am I? Your mother begs to differ." The voice replied cheekily before a feminine vice responded with a scoff.
"He's cringy but I love him that way." The woman -- who was probably Everest's stepmother.
Her voice was quite calming. At Evie's announcement, the bicker stopped then I heard footsteps.
"You're back, finally! So how was the picnic? Did she puke the lasagna you made?" Someone quizzed teasingly, this made me giggle. I heard Everest scoff. "You can ask her yourself." He said, and that was my cue to awkwardly shuffle in with the cooler in my hand.
The first thing I saw was red wild curls that fell to her shoulders, pale skin, and light freckles on her cheeks.
The girl gasped, clasping her hands against her lips.
"Woah! Mom! Everest brought home the woman I was telling you about!
" She squealed, running towards me. Her excitement warmed my heart, I smiled as well.
"You must be Amelia, right? You are right?
" The girl -- who I assumed to be Everest's sister -- Saffron quizzed, leaning towards me with every word.
"Oh my! You had me thinking she was your age, brother.
You're gorgeous! You don't look a day over twenty-something.
" Saffron gushed, folding an arm and putting another perpendicular to rest her chin as she observed me.
I laughed, finally having my hands back when Evie took the cooler from me, "I am Amelia.
It's very nice to meet you too. Saffron, right?
" She nods, standing up straight, her frizzy hair moving with her.
"I didn't expect this. I mean, you. You're not what I thought you'd look like.
" Saffron rushed out, laughing nervously.
"I just thought you'd be old and boring like my brother. "
"Hey!" Everest called out.
"I can assure you I'm not boring. Especially not like Evie." I giggled, throwing him under the bus. He wasn't by any means boring, but I decided to play along. Saffron's orangish-red eyebrows arched up, her smile widening.
"Evie? How cute! That big man over there actually let you call him that?" She asked, snickering at Everest as he walked over to us.
His arms went around my waist, boldly pulling me towards him. "Who's boring?" Evie asked lowly, his vice in a whisper. I nearly squealed at his sudden action. We were in front of his family! "I'm kidding!" I replied hushedly, trying to wriggle out of his gasp only for him to hug me.
"You must be his girlfriend." The gruff voice spoke up, a man coming into view.
He looked just like I'd imagine Evie to in a few years.
His blonde hair was more white and the strands rumpled on top of his head.
His eyebrows were bush and brown, his beard full and his moustache connecting.
The man had a resemblance to Santa clause if he were fit.
Quickly pushing Evie off, I blushed, adjusting my gown.
His girlfriend? Gosh, I wasn't yet familiar with that title.
"I'm sorry about that. Yes, sir, my name is Amelia, it's nice to meet you. Ma'am." I greeted them both, shaking his hand before turning to his wife who looked like an elder version of Saffron, her red hair in short curls instead. The woman awned, taking my palm and hugging me instead.
"She's so polite!" The hug was warm, I loved warm hugs. My hands were limp awkwardly at my sides, but nevertheless! I liked the hug. "It's about time you showed us who's been taking you out of the house recently. He even got a job." His father completed with a hearty laugh.
"Oh c'mon Pa, I got a job because I was idle at home."
"Mhm. Anyways sweetie, you can call me Frank. And this is my wife, Emily." Frank -- Everest's dad introduced, holding Emily's shoulder. They were all so welcoming! I could hardly believe it. "My name is Amelia, Amelia Njoli."
"Njoli?" Saffron asked, trying to pronounce it but failing.
I laughed, "My Papa's father was from South Africa but I was born here.
I remembered when Evie tried pronouncing my surname, he almost bit his tongue.
"Oh, I see. That's interesting. Come, make yourself at home.
You're more than welcome here anytime my dear.
" Emily spoke out, pulling me to one of the couches.
"We were having a sort of movie night before you two came in."
Everest sat beside me, his weight sinking the soft couch. His arm went around my neck, creating the kind of warmth I liked. "Oh, okay. If you don't mind." I said with a small smile.
"Of course not! I want to know all about you, Amelia!
Everest hasn't told me anything." Saffron chided, glaring at Everest. He scoffed, going down to peck my cheeks.
"Go easy on her now, I don't want you to scare her away," Everest responded with a smirk of his own.
Sitting down amidst his family, I felt my tummy flutter, this was nice.
Being with Everest, was nice.