Page 48 of Rescued Dreams
He looked at her then.
Tears streamed down her face. Amelia gasped and swiped at her cheeks. He grabbed two tissues from the twins’ box on the end table by the couch and brought them to her. Close enough that he’d be available if she wanted a hug.
“It’s okay to cry. I know that because I live with teenage girls.” Ridge laid a hand on her shoulder. “What I told you is a sad story. I cry about it sometimes, when I really miss him.”
Kane had told Ridge he did the same thing.
“Rest of my family aren’t worth two nickels. Except the twins.” Not even his mom. But he didn’t often want to admit that to himself. “Grandpa was the best. There was no one better.”
“I think you’re living up to his memory just fine, Ridge Foster. You’re a good man.”
His chest tightened.
Amelia wound her arms around his middle, and he hugged her. She said, “Thank you for telling me that story.”
“Thank you for trusting me with yours.”
She leaned back, and Ridge found himself closer to Amelia than he’d ever been. Not because they were still touching each other, half in a hug. They were closer than they’d ever been because they’d shared those parts of their histories. They’d opened up to each other.
It made him wonder what he’d been afraid of.
“Whatever is going on, I’m going to be here through it.” Even if she only ever let him be her friend, he wanted to be right here with her. Not in his house, but supporting her. “Making sure you’re okay.”
She stared up at him. “I don’t trust easily, but I want to trust you.”
“You can.”
“I’m starting to believe it.” She bit her lip.
Ridge tossed out all ideas of just being her friend. He couldn’t resist her. In that moment, there was nothing else he could do but lean down and touch his lips to hers. Softly. Just a slight touch, so gentle. It shifted into a hug, and he let it happen, trying to keep things easy.
Her arms tightened around his waist, and he heard her intake of breath. Ridge turned his head to the side, and since she hadn’t shoved him away, he eased his lips against hers again. Taking his time now. Soaking in the moment and experiencing what he’d wanted for so long.
From a distance, he heard the door lock.
Then a teenage squeal.
Ridge pulled back from Amelia’s inviting mouth and looked over, only to find his twin sisters in the doorway. “Uh…” How was he going to explain this?
Maddie’s brows rose. “Busted.” She grinned and started laughing.
Ella just stared at him.
SEVENTEEN
Amelia didn’t even want to turn around. That would mean the moment was over, which might be for the best, but she wasn’t ready to let go of it just yet. The feel of his lips against hers. The closeness of his warmth surrounding her. She’d never felt safe like that—not once in her life.
It was like a dream.
And she didn’t want it to be over.
She lifted her gaze to Ridge’s face, which was red and flustered. He hesitated in a way she’d never seen before, and it was seriously adorable. This self-assured man had turned into a puddle.
“Maddie. Ella.”
One of the girls giggled.
Amelia turned to see two slender girls, each a mirror image of the other with their long dark-blonde hair, almost brown at the center part, light on the ends. They had Ridge’s height and teenage metabolism. One of them grinned, sliding off a jacket. The other looked far more shell-shocked and stared at her brother.
