Page 147 of After All This Time

Tobias straightens first, but his focus snaps back to me. One hand cups my jaw, and the other grips the back of the couch for balance as he leans in closer.

This time, his lips press against mine slower, deeper, with an intent that feels like a promise. The kiss is unhurried, andwhenhe finally pulls back, his breath fans across my lips in a quiet sigh.

"I'll be back to pick you up later,Firefly."

As the door shuts behind the guys, Jen and Tessa turn to me, their matching smirks already in place, and I can practically see the interrogation forming on their lips.

"I knew how he felt about you, but seeing it… God, Amelia, I'm so happy for you. For him and you," Tessa says with a wide smile.

I fidget with the throw pillow in my lap, my heart doing that flutter thing it does whenever I think about him.

"It's really good," I admit. "I'm… I don't even have words for what I am."

"In love." Jen breezes in like a fairy godmother, wine glasses clinking as she sets them on the coffee table alongside a bottle of red. "And don't try to deny it—your face gives you away. Just like his does."

I don't confirm or deny it. I don't need to. They see it as clearly as I feel it.

"I never thought I'd see the day, to be honest," Jen muses as she pours the wine.

"I've seen him make his way through women for years. He doesn't disrespect anyone—never cheats—but he just… doesn't commit," I say as I accept the glass Tessa offers me.

"Because he was searching for something real."

"He thought he might find it with you once," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

I'm not jealous—not when I see how perfect she and Zane are together,andnot when I know how deep her friendship with Tobias runs.

"He messaged me about you a couple of times," I say, remembering those late-night texts that popped up, full of confusion and wounded pride. "He couldn't understand why thisgorgeous girl named Tessa wouldn't give him a chance when he was so sure there was something there."

"That arrogant little shit." Tessa rolls her eyes, but her smile is all affection. "Tobias is hot, like stupidly hot. We can all see that," she admits, a smile tugging at her lips. "And there is something between us, but it's the purest platonic brother-sister love, and that spark, the one you and him obviously share, wasn't there."

"Not to mention," Jen cuts in, a wicked glint in her eye, "you were busy climbing your professor like a tree."

I nearly choke on my wine, the liquid threatening to make a dramatic exit through my nose.

"It's the best decision I've ever made," Tessa declares."But maybe what Tobias and I needed was exactly this—this friendship. It's perfect exactly as it is, and I wouldn't change it for anything." She pauses, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Although… I barely see him these days since someone's been keeping him thoroughly occupied."

"Sorry about that," I say with a chuckle. "Seriously, though, I'm glad he has you. He's going to feel it when I'm gone, and Tobias doesn't do well with being alone."

"Has he always been like that?" Tessa leans forward, wine forgotten in her hand, concern etching lines between her brows.

"Since I've known him, yeah."

"We've got him," Jen promises. "He's basically our annoying brother at this point—we're not going anywhere."

"Okay, enough heavy stuff." Tessa brightens, clearly trying to lift the mood. "Tell us about this amazing opportunity. This is what you've been dreaming about, right?"

"It is." I nod, trying to summon the excitement that used to bubble up whenever I thought about it. "It's the tiniest role, but it's experience and something to add to my resume."

"But?" Tessa presses, her eyes narrowing as she studies me.

I blow out a breath, pushing my hair back from my face. "Two weeks suddenly feels really soon. And this opportunity doesn't shine quite as bright as it did when I first got the call."

"Because of Tobias?"

"Yeah, he's part of it," I admit. "But it's more than that. I feel like I've just started to get settled. Like, for once, things feel… right."

"Sixmonths will fly by," Jen says with that big-sister certainty she's perfected. "And then you'll be back where you belong."

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