Page 24 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

I stood my ground. “You're right about high school, but I've changed. The military shaped me up, giving me purpose and discipline. I intend to apply that to every aspect of my life, including my relationship with Amelia."

"That's just it," Kevin sighed, uncrossing his arms. "Trust isn't something easily given, Trevor. It's earned." He picked up a stick and threw it for Hero, who darted off after it with a joyful bark.

I nodded, my voice steady. "I know that, and I plan to earn it. Just give me a chance to prove myself."

Kevin sobered slightly, but the hard edge had left his eyes. "I'm not making any promises, but... I'm willing to keep an open mind. Just don't make me regret it."

"You won't," I assured him confidently. "I only want what's best for Amelia."

He clapped me on the shoulder, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We'll see about that. But for now, I better get back to work."

I watched Kevin stride away, then checked my phone to find a message from Amelia.

"Hey, Trevor... dinner at my place tonight? Hope Kevin didn't give you too hard a time."

I typed back: "Dinner sounds great. And don't worry about Kevin. We had a good talk."

Her reply came quickly: "I'm so glad! See you at 7."

I pocketed my phone and glanced down at Hero, who seemed to sense my mood. His tail wagged furiously as he looked up at me. I clipped his leash on and headed to my motorcycle.

On the way home, I decided to bring Amelia a gift. Remembering her love for yoga, I stopped by "Zen Zone," a local studio I'd noticed recently.

Inside, I was greeted by a petite woman with flowing gray hair. "Welcome, dear. How may I assist you on your journey today?"

I grinned at her new-age charm. "I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend. She's into yoga."

The woman's eyes lit up. "Ah, a gift from the heart. Let me show you our selection of eco-friendly yoga mats. Each one is unique, just like the soul who uses it."

I chose a mat with vibrant flowers against a deep green background. Perfect for Amelia.

"That's the one," I said decisively.

On a whim, I stopped by the store and picked up a bottle of sparkling grape juice before heading to Amelia's.

When I arrived, Amelia opened the door with a radiant smile. The aroma of her cooking wafted out, making my mouth water.

"Something smells amazing," I said, stepping inside.

"I hope you're hungry." Amelia walked over and grabbed something off the counter. "Oh, and I have a little something for Hero, too."

She had baked him a gourmet dog treat, and Hero's tail wagged frantically as he gobbled it up. I laughed, touched by Amelia's thoughtfulness.

"I got you something, too." I handed her the bottle of grape juice and the yoga mat.

Amelia unrolled the mat and traced her fingers over the intricate design. "Trevor, this is gorgeous! And my favorite brand of juice. You're so sweet."

She set the gifts aside and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug.

We settled at the dining table, and Amelia proudly presented her culinary creation—a fragrant pasta dish with a vibrant sauce. My stomach rumbled in anticipation.

"This looks incredible, Amelia," I said, genuinely impressed. "You've outdone yourself."

She beamed at the compliment. "Wait until you taste it."

I twirled a generous forkful of pasta and popped it into my mouth. The flavors exploded on my tongue, but an intense, fiery sensation overwhelmed me within seconds. My eyes began to water, and I could feel my face turning red.

Amelia's brow furrowed with concern. "Trevor, are you okay?"

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