Page 37 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

"Good evening, folks!" Our waiter interrupted his cheerfulness a stark contrast to the tension between us. "Can I interest you in our award-winning meatloaf?"

I nodded, suppressing a sigh. I caught Amelia's eye, silently promising that we'd talk soon. Whatever was bothering her, I was determined to get to the bottom of it and find our way back to each other.

The waiter bustled off, leaving me to regroup. I reached for Amelia's hand across the table.

"As I was saying,” I started again, my voice steady despite the nerves thrumming through my veins. "I couldn't help but notice you've been a bit... distant lately."

She fidgeted with the silverware on the table. "I don't know what you're talking about, Trevor."

I leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, my gaze never leaving hers. "I think you do. And I want you to know you can talk to me about anything. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Amelia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She took a shaky breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I overheard you talking to Donovan during the paintball game the other day. About... about moving on."

Realization dawned like a lightning bolt—the conversation about my transition from military to civilian life, the challenges of leaving the past behind. But Amelia had only caught a snippet, jumping to conclusions that left her doubting us.

I reached for her hand, my thumb tracing soothing circles across her knuckles. "Amelia, that conversation wasn't about you. It was about my struggles, finding my place after the military and moving on with life."

A watery laugh escaped her lips. "I feel so foolish. I thought you were saying you were moving on from us."

"No, don't." I squeezed her hand. "I just wish I would have realized."

A ghost of a smile appeared on her face, and she squeezed my hand in return. "I should have just talked to you."

Our waiter chose that moment to return with our meals. He beamed at us, completely oblivious to the heaviness of our conversation. "Enjoy your meal, folks, and let me know if you need anything else!"

The meatloaf he set before me smelled divine, but I couldn't take my eyes off Amelia. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the words I'd longed to say. "Amelia, there's something I need to tell you."

Her dark eyes still glistened with unshed tears. "What is it, Trevor?"

My heart hammered in my chest, but I refused to let my nerves get the best of me. "I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Her eyes widened, and a mixture of emotions played across her face. Surprise, joy, and a hint of vulnerability. "Trevor, I..."

I gently cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. "You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know how I feel, how much you mean to me."

She leaned into my touch, a watery smile gracing her lips. "I love you too, Trevor. I think I have for a while now, but I was afraid to admit it, even to myself."

Relief and elation flooded me, and I jumped up from the table, pulling her into a tight embrace. We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms while passengers stared at us.

When we finally pulled apart, Amelia's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination. "I've decided not to sell the shop to Liam."

I blinked, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Really? What made you change your mind?"

She shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I guess I realized that some things are worth fighting for. The shop, my dreams..." She paused, her gaze locking with mine. "Us."

I chuckled. "Well, I certainly can't argue with that."

We sat back down and dug into our plates, and then the conversation turned lighter as we brainstormed ideas for 'Petals & Blooms.'

"I've been thinking about ways to bring in more customers," she mused, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table. I could host workshops or classes and teach people about flower arranging or gardening.

I nodded, my mind already whirring with possibilities. "That's a great idea. You could even partner with local businesses to offer special discounts or promotions."

Amelia's eyes lit up, her enthusiasm infectious. "Ooh, what about a loyalty program? Or themed events for holidays?"

We bounced ideas back and forth, our excitement growing with each new suggestion. I couldn't help but marvel at how well we worked together, our strengths complementing each other perfectly.

And just when the meal seemed to be winding down, I leaned back and gave her a devious look. "You know, I almost forgot. I got you something. I pulled the small black box out of my pocket."

---