Page 47 of Actually Yours

“I guess.” She’s back to sounding sad and I want to make it better but have nothing to offer her. Except a shoulder to cry on.

“I’ll walk you up.”

She doesn’t argue, letting herself out of the car and waiting for me to walk around to reach her. I pick up her hand andguide her to her front door, matching the meandering pace she’s setting, happy to draw out our time together.

“Thanks for driving me home tonight.”

I look down at her slightly dishevelled state and squeeze her hand. “Any time.” I mean this more than she will ever know.

“And for what you said earlier at the bar?”

We’re stopped outside her apartment, merely inches apart. She’s looking up at me with a vulnerable expression, thanking me for just telling her the truth. That she’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.

“Any time,” I repeat, watching the smile grow on her face.

“Seriously.” Her expression is earnest now. “I know I shouldn’t let these disastrous dates get to me, but it’s all been a bit too much. You know?”

I do know. Mainly because I know she shouldn’t be going out with these clowns at all.

“You deserve better.” I say this again because I really,reallyneed her to believe it. If she can’t be with me, she should be with someone better than Dr. Dave (the jerk!)

“I know,” she says, but her voice is small and unconvincing. “Anyway, thanks again.”

She looks between me and the door and bites her bottom lip. Looking uncertain.

I lean all the way over—she’s still tiny even in those sexy heels—and let my lips brush across her cheek, tracing the constellation of freckles that intrigue me so much. I do it once, twice, three times. It’s the first and last time my lips will ever touch her skin and I take a moment to savour it. To drink it in. To drink her in.

“Good night, Millie.” My voice is gruff and I make myself take a step away from her, my fingernails biting into my palms to stop from reaching for her.

“Good night, Jake.” Her eyes search mine and I close my own to hide what I’m feeling. “I’ll see you soon?”

I leave her question hanging as I back away, needing some space from her velvety chocolate eyes, her plump pink lips, her sweet coconut smell. I’ve reached my Amelia overload limit for the day and it’s time to get out.

Her door closes behind me and I take it as my signal to sprint down the stairs, away from this woman who should have been mine but was with my brother instead. And once I’m in the safety of my car, I put Taylor Swift on Spotify and sing out loud all the way home. Hearing the pain in her lyrics, which now so completely mimics my own…all too well.

CHAPTER 10

Amelia

There’s a tiny person in my brain. Hitting me with a small, but very real hammer.

What on earth were in those cocktails last night?

I’m in bed, my eyes refusing to open, replaying the events from last night. Starting with the long, embarrassing wait to be stood up at the fancy restaurant and ending with Jake’s lips on my cheek.

Why did that feel better than any proper kiss in recent memory?

“Amelia, your alcohol-riddled brain is clearly making you remember it wrong.”

Even saying this out loud isn’t working. It had been only a few seconds maximum, but my cheek feels like it’s been forever changed. Jake’s lips have ruined my face forever.

PING!

PING!

PING!

PING!

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