Amelia POV
The following morning, Amelia forced herself out of bed, took a shower, cleaned her hair, and changed into a pretty summer outfit she had purchased in Paris. She didn't want to go out, but everyone told her that the best way to deal with jet lag was to return to her routine as soon as possible. That meant attempting to avoid dozing off in the middle of the day and rising at a fairly regular time.
In addition, Amelia truly wanted to catch up with Avery, her friend who works as a florist, and her former boss, Sara, as the wedding preparations would begin in a few days. Throughout her absence, they had remained in communication, and she had purchased gifts for them all. It would be nice to see them again and perhaps persuade them to have a drink one evening.
Amelia strode down the road to the large house, dressed and prepared to face the world. She knocked on the door before entering. Her parents had the day off, based on their conversation the previous evening, and she needed a ride into town. It was hot outside, and Windaroo was too far from town to walk.
As she went down the hallway to the kitchen in the back of the home, she yelled, "Knock knock."
Her father drank his coffee at the table and looked up from his reading paper. "Hey honey," he murmured.
She went around the table to give him a cheek kiss and said, "Hey, Dad."
"What kind of sleep did you have?"
Amelia furrowed her brow. "Awful," she shot back, grinning. "But being at home is nice."
Do you want a cup of coffee? The kettle has just begun to boil.
"No, thank you," Amelia shook her head in response. After spending months in Europe, where the coffee was so strong that it could almost keep a spoon upright, Amelia did not like the instant coffee her parents drank. "May I just ask if I can borrow a car?"
Samual said, "We still have your car in the shed." "Packed and prepared to go."
With another kiss, she murmured, "Thanks, Daddy." "Please tell me how much you want for the gas."
He shrugged off her remark. "Make no effort."
"Dad, I'm making money now. You don't need to continue covering my costs.
"I know, but consider this my way of saying welcome home."
With a sigh, she grinned. "Many thanks. A bit later, I will be at home. I wish to see the females again.
He said, "Say hello to Mia for me."
Amelia lowered her head and exhaled, releasing the tension in her chest. Amelia didn't think Mia would bother to talk to her anytime soon because she wasn't talking to her. Mia believed that Amelia had deceived her and that shattering her brother's heart was an unpardonable transgression. It made little difference if Smith had also wounded Amelia's feelings or if both parties' failures contributed to the relationship's collapse. That was it—Mia took Smith's side.
Amelia remarked, "Mia still isn't talking to me, Dad."
He remarked, "You really ought to mend that relationship, poppet." "Your best friend is her."
Amelia answered, "Was my best friend." "She chose Smith over me—"
"Choosing a side is not the point—"
Amelia said, "Yeah, well, tell her that," before inhaling deeply. I apologise. Talking about it still hurts.
Samuel gave Amelia a glance and a quiet grin. "I do not doubt that everything will work out," he remarked before returning to his paper.
Amelia bit her lip as she left, holding back the words she wanted to say. She and Mia had not engaged in a schoolyard altercation. When Amelia began dating Smith, Mia was furious, but she eventually warmed up to the idea after realising how much they loved one another. Mia merely stipulated that Amelia could not cause Smith to lose his heart. Amelia had no plans to do anything like that. Smith was it, in her view. However, life intervened, things turned bad, and Smith and Amelia were left with shattered hearts.
Amelia's heart was broken not just by losing Smith but also by failing the rest of his family. Since they were in kindergarten together, Mia had been her best friend, and she vanished. They were leaving out Smith's grandparents. Amelia loved them as if they were her grandparents, but because she and Smith were no longer together, it was difficult for her to see them.
Despite not being married, Amelia and Smith had been together for five years, during which time their lives had been intertwined in a difficult way to unravel without cutting off a few branches.
Amelia slung her hair over her shoulder, inhaled deeply, and straightened her posture. It would be difficult enough to return to town without having to worry about running into Mia. She had to prove to the community that even though she had departed as a loser, she was returning victorious.
She grinned when her ancient automobile turned on with the key in the ignition. Her dad must have filled it with gas and had it serviced for her. It had never started so smoothly, certainly not after Smith quit taking care of the maintenance.
Nope. Amelia gave a headshake. She refused to consider how Smith's life and hers had ceased to interact. They had to establish a new normal since they would live in the same town until he returned to his mining job, for however long that could be. Amelia wouldn't be doing herself any favours by thinking back on their time together; they had to get along somehow. That was a while ago. An additional life. She was the enhanced version of Amelia.
Amelia halted abruptly as she pushed through the cafe's doors. Smith had taken a position at the counter. She knew those shoulders anywhere, even with his back to her.
“Amelia?" Sara, her former supervisor, asked her a startling question.
"Hello," Amelia waved back to her pal.
"Oh my God! Amelia Sara virtually leaped over the counter to give her a bear hug.
Amelia hugged Smith in return, but she couldn't help but watch as he gently turned to face her over Sara's shoulder. His dark blue eyes had that gloomy quality, the kind of dark that he liked to have when he had a grudge. Suppressing a shudder, Amelia watched as Sara talked nonsensically, her attention too focused on the man who was staring at her as if she were his next meal.
Hormones are stupid.
When Sara finally relaxed, she stepped back to let Amelia in. Tearing her gaze from Smith, Amelia grinned at her pal.
"You appear well," Sara remarked. "Plus, I adore this dress."
Amelia twirled a little and let the skirt spread over her thighs before saying, "Paris." To say she didn't do it to help Smith and to flaunt the outfit to Sara would be a lie.
"I adore it."
With a wrapped item in her hand, Amelia whispered to Sara, "I hope you will love this too."
"Oh, presents!"
Amelia tried not to see Smith's eyes on her as Sara carefully opened the gift, taking care not to tear the paper. He was studying her over the edge of the takeout coffee he was drinking while leaning on the counter. Amelia was done lying to herself, even if she did pretend she didn't mind if he saw her. That he was observing her did bother her. It pleased her that he followed her. Even though it was sure to end badly, she wanted him to continue monitoring her.
Sara exclaimed, "Oh, this is adorable," and held out the tiny apron Amelia had discovered in a French store.
A selection of Italian ravioli moulds and French cookery books written in English were also present. In addition to owning and operating the little café, Sara enjoyed cooking various foods.
"Hey Amelia, how are you?" With a faint murmur in the cafe, Smith questioned.
Amelia surveyed the store. Every customer was silent and motionless as they observed the exchange. She had completely forgotten what it was like to live in a tiny town where everyone was acquainted with one another. Without a certainty, everyone in Hope Springs would take a stance after hearing about Smith and Amelia's encounter at the cafe.
With an attempt at a grin, Amelia raised her gaze to meet his. She said, "I'm really good," and meant it. How about you? Was she still employed in the Pilbara region?
His mouth tightened at the too-amiable banter from her. He knew how much she despised the in-depth scrutiny of the Hope Springs busybodies. And he knew that this was tormenting her.
With a gentle shake of his head. He said, "Nope," without going into any detail.
"May I get a coffee for you?" As tension between Amelia and Smith grew, Sara interjected with a question.
Amelia reached for her purse and replied, "Yeah, that would be great."
Smith said, opening his wallet, "Let me."
Amelia firmly stated, "I can't let you do that," fearing that he would attempt to charge her for her services.
"It's within my budget," he answered.
And there it was. The cause of their breakup. The accursed funds. Amelia frequently questioned whether it would have been preferable if he had cheated on her. That person was not Smith, though. No, he hadn't cheated on her; he had deceived her in other ways. Looking back, it would have been less painful if he had. If another woman had been involved, she might have moved on from him by now.
Sara grabbed his money and rang up the sale before she could say anything more about it.
Amelia moved closer and murmured, "Thank you." She closed her eyes for a while, taking in his clean aroma. They needed to overcome their shyness. She said, "Are you busy right now?"
She knew he was wondering if she was luring him into a trap as he blinked down at her. They felt a great deal of animosity against one another, which wasn't fair, given how happy they had been before everything broke apart.
Amelia started fidgeting when he remained silent. Perhaps her perception of the way his eyes had darkened before was mistaken. She couldn't blame him if he were still enraged with her.
"It's just...I believed we could have a conversation.
If you didn't mind the entire café leaning toward them and trying to understand what they were saying, Sara slipped Amelia's coffee over the counter. She vanished out the back, leaving the two at the counter in relative solitude.
Smith grinned as he saw the packed cafe. "I have time to talk." Would you want to go for a walk?
With a sigh of relief, Amelia nodded. Taking up her coffee, she trailed behind Smith into the bright sunshine.
Smith said, "I meant what I said yesterday," after they were out of earshot. "It's a pleasure to see you,"
Amelia said, "You too," and she meant it.
They walked across the street and made their way to a park seat. They were sitting beside each other, silent, the awkward quiet growing. Amelia exhaled deeply and looked up at him.
"I wanted to apologise," she murmured. He started to respond, but she stopped him with a raised hand. "No, please allow me to explain. I was unjust. The statements I made and the things I She shook her head, shocked once more at how it had all transpired. "I hurt you, and I acted immaturely, which was wrong, and..."I apologise. I apologise for everything.
Smith reached for her hand and said, "Oh, baby." "I apologise as well. I have to apologise for just as much as I did for being at fault. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry I let it get as far as it did and for what we said to one other.” He clasped her hand and breathed roughly. “I miss you, Amelia. I miss you so much.”
Amelia’s heart squeezed until she could barely breathe. “I miss you too,” she whispered.
“What the fuck is going on here?”