Page 18 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

“Just get in the car, Amelia. We’ll drop you off and then we’ll go to the office.”

“Really, it’s okay.”

Eddie pitched in. “I’d love to drop you off, Amelia.”

She finally sighed and gave in. “All right.”

It took real effort to shut down the part of me that felt strangely jealous. It felt like she only agreed because Eddie asked her. I ignored that jealousy and opened the door for Amelia to get in. Our eyes met briefly before she entered the car.

Once she was inside, I walked to the other side and got in. Eddie pulled out of the parking lot while Amelia and I settledinto the car. I noticed she was sitting too far away but I didn’t think too much of it.

Keeping our distance was probably the only way we would survive this whole thing.

Chapter 9

Amelia

Ididn’t know what made me agree to let Matteo drop me off. Maybe it was the fact that it was one of the nicest things he’d done for me in a while. Receiving kind gestures from Matteo made me feel like I had traveled back to a point in time when things were still beautiful between us.

Yesterday, when he carried me to my room, I also felt transported to the past. Knowing that he’d held me in his arms and placed me in bed filled me with a weird sense of warmth. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way. His kindness probably didn’t mean anything but I couldn’t help the way I felt.

I gave Eddie the address for my interview. Then I moved even further away from Matteo. I was worried about what would happen if I allowed myself to get too close to him. Even from thisdistance, he affected me in ways I couldn’t even dare to think about.

His irresistible scent wafted over to me and I felt my heart rate pick up. My eyes darted over to him. He seemed to be checking his emails on his phone. I took advantage of the fact that he wasn’t looking at me. I admired the way his suit molded to his body like it was tailored just for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. Matteo had enough money to hire some of the best tailors in the world.

I was still staring at him, still admiring the way his arms looked in his suit jacket. But when he turned to look at me, I turned away. I stared out the window and hoped he hadn’t noticed that I was ogling him.

Five years apart, and he still affected me like no time had passed. How was that possible?

“Do you feel prepared?” he asked.

His question was so unexpected that for a moment, I just stared at him. I knew he was asking about my interview but I didn’t understand why. I suppose he was asking more out of formality than out of concern. I tried not to let that bother me.

“Yes, but I still feel nervous.”

He offered me a small smile. “That’s normal.”

“I hope you’re right.”

After that, the car went silent again. I cursed whatever was causing the traffic because it meant I had to spend even more time in the car with Matteo. I couldn’t wait to get away from him and the effect he had on me.

I was also tired of being around this version of Matteo, the version that spoke to me as though there was never anything between us. It hurt me to see just how much he’d moved on.

When the car finally pulled into the driveway of the office building, I all but jumped out of the car. “Thank you!” I said as I got out.

I vaguely heard Matteo say “You’re welcome.” From the front door of the building, I watched his car drive off. I sighed and did my best not to focus on my complicated situation with Matteo. I was here for a job interview and I needed to focus on acing it.

I turned and stared up at the tall building. From what I’d been told, the company I was interviewing for worked on the sixth floor. I took the elevator up and smiled brightly when the doors opened. I imagined myself coming here every day. I imagined walking down these halls to a desk of my own.

“Hi there,” a woman said. “How may I help you?”

I walked over to her desk. “I have a job interview here this morning.”

She nodded and shifted her gaze to her computer. Then she looked back up at me. “You must be Amelia Pierson.”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Okay. Wait right here and I’ll let HR know you’re here,” she said.

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