Page 8 of This Is Our Forever

I sink into a comfortable chair, my leg bouncing impatiently as the receptionist whispers into the phone. She glances at me before hanging up and rounding the desk. “Follow me.”

We walk down a long hallway, and as we pass a large conference room, I catch sight of Jules, Amelia’s business partner. Her eyes meet mine, the warning in her glare unmistakable.

The receptionist gestures toward an open door, and I step inside. Amelia sits behind a glass desk, her eyes blazing with anger.

Her voice is cold and bitter. “What are you doing here? We have nothing to talk about.”

I step closer, resisting the urge to reach out to her, to close the distance between us. “That’s where you’re wrong. We have a lot to talk about.”

She’s holding a pen, and she grips it tighter. Her fingers tremble. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We don’t need to rehash old news. You fucked up, and I’ll never forgive you for it.”

Gut punch.

The office phone rings, and she snatches the receiver. Her voice shifts into a clipped, professional tone as she speaks to the caller. I catch bits of the conversation—something about a client and a meeting.

She hangs up and raises her chin in defiance. “I’m busy.”

I shake my head, undeterred. “I’m staying until we talk. When will you be available?”

She taps her fingers against the keyboard. “I’m free for lunch at twelve-thirty. Half an hour is all you’ll get. And––”

I cut her off before she can change her mind. “I’ll take it. Where?”

She sighs, resignation seeping into her voice. “There’s a diner a block east of here—Kelly’s Café.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then. And if you don’t show, I’ll be back.”

I turn, and as I walk away, her gaze burns into me, a silent challenge that sends a shiver down my spine.

Outside, the breeze rustles the leaves as I make my way to the car. My thoughts race ahead to our upcoming lunch—a pivotal moment, a chance to confront the ghosts of our past and uncover the truth behind her anger and disappearance.

As I pull into the busy street, determination settles over me like a second skin. I won’t rest until I understand why she left and why she looks at me with such raw, unyielding fury. And I’m not leaving Dallas until I get some answers.

CHAPTER SEVEN

AMELIA

The second Nathan leaves, Jules slips inside and perches on the edge of my desk. Her fiery red curls tumble over her shoulders as she leans forward, eyes wide.

“What did he want? What happened?”

I shake my head and trace abstract patterns on the glass surface of my desk. “He wants to talk. I’m meeting him for lunch.” The words taste bitter, admitting the inevitable. “Why bother?”

She tilts her head and studies me with that knowing intensity. “Maybe he can tell you why he cheated?”

I snort. “I don’t care why he did it. It won’t change anything.”

A restless energy propels me to my feet. The soft carpet muffles my steps as I pace the room. Jules’s next question stops me and quickens my pulse.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t tell him about Dylan?”

I whirl to face her, scared but determined. “He can’t find out.” That’s something I’ve repeated to myself over and over “I don’t know what he’d do if he found out. I can’t lose my son.”

Her lips tighten into a straight line. “Okay. You’re right. A guy like him, with all that money…”

She trails off, leaving the unspoken threat to linger between us. I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

“Can we get some work done?”

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