Page 38 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

Her dark-brown eyes widened with anticipation, a spoonful of dessert frozen midway to her lips. "What is it?" she gasped.

“Before you freak out, it’s not what you think it is.” A sly smile crossed my features as I opened the box, revealing a delicate silver bracelet studded with tiny flowers. Each flower was etched meticulously with such detail, and a tiny pearl was in the center of each one. It reminded me of the rows of flowers at Petals & Bloom, vibrant and full of life, just like Amelia herself.

“Trevor,” she breathed out my name, her fingers trembling as she reached to touch the bracelet. “This is... it’s beautiful.”

"You're beautiful," I countered, taking her hand in mine and brushing my lips across her knuckles. "I mean it, Amelia. Inside and out. And I want everyone to know how much I love you."

Seeing her eyes well up with tears, I quickly added, "Don't cry. I didn't mean to make you emotional."

With a shaky laugh, she wiped at her eyes. "No, it's just...no one's ever done something this special for me." Her gaze met mine, love and gratitude clear in her eyes.

I felt a warmth spread through me, like I'd swallowed sunshine. "Well, get used to it, Carter. You're stuck with me."

She chuckled, dabbing at her eyes. “Is that a threat, Phillips?”

"More like a promise." I reached over to clasp the bracelet around her dainty wrist. It looked even more stunning on.

We finished the last bit of our dessert, and I realized the train was already heading back to the station. "You know, there's one more part of this surprise that I think you'll love."

She looked at me curiously, her eyes full of questions. "Oh really? And what's that?"

I grinned, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "You’ll see."

Leading her towards the end of the dining car, I pulled open the door leading to another car—one largely unoccupied save for a handful of passengers sitting by themselves, murmuring quietly as they admired the view.

The observation car.

A breathtaking sunset view greeted us as we sat on one of the comfortable seats. The sky was ablaze with colors, orange, pink, and red hues blending together in a captivating display of nature's artistry.

"Wow..." Amelia breathed, leaning against my shoulder as she took in the sight.

I followed her gaze, lost in the fiery depths of the changing sky. It seemed to mirror what I felt for Amelia—passionate, intense, and ever-changing.

Spellbound by the moment's beauty, I turned to look at Amelia. Our eyes met and locked, and I knew as surely as the sun sets and rises that I was utterly, irrevocably in love with her.

Chapter seventeen

Amelia

Istepped into the bustling café, my stomach fluttering with nerves. The morning crowd chattered and clinked silverware against plates, a lively backdrop for the confrontation I'd dreaded. I spotted Grace at her usual table, her vibrant scarf draped over the newspaper she was reading.

Deep breaths, Amelia. You've got this. I drew strength from the memory of Trevor's lopsided grin as we hatched our calendar fundraiser plan. His unwavering support gave me the courage to face what lay ahead with Liam.

"Amelia, darling!" Liam's voice cut through my musings. He stood, flashing a megawatt smile that once made my knees weak. Now, it left me cold. "I took the liberty of ordering your usual. Hazelnut latte, one sugar."

I quirked an eyebrow. Once upon a time, his presumptuous charm had been endearing. Today, it grated.

"Liam." I slid into the seat across from him, my resolve steeling. "I didn't come here for coffee."

His brow furrowed ever so slightly. "Oh? What's on your mind, love?"

Love. The word made my skin crawl. I clasped my hands on the table, meeting his gaze head-on.

"I've made a decision about the shop." My voice was steady despite my hammering heart. "I won't be selling my shop or forming a partnership."

There. I'd said it. The words hung in the air between us, a gauntlet thrown.

Liam blinked, his polished veneer slipping for a fraction of a second. "I'm sorry, I must have misheard. You won't be selling? But we had an agreement."

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