Page 54 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

I closed the gap between us in a few quick strides. I couldn’t bear to be apart from her anymore. I hugged her tightly before pulling apart so I could kiss her. Amelia placed her hands around my neck and stood on her toes to deepen the kiss.

When we pulled away, I rested my forehead on hers. “I love you,” I said. It was the third time I was telling her that this evening but I didn’t mind. I wanted to say it a thousand more times.

“I love you too,” she said. “And I’m sorry too. I’m sorry for not having the strength to go against my parents back then. I let them come between us and for that, I will always be sorry.”

“That’s okay. I forgive you. Let’s put all of that behind us. Come home with me.”

Amelia moved back into the penthouse that day. From the moment she walked in, it felt like life had returned to the place. Her presence illuminated the dark corners of my life.

I never wanted to lose her again.

Chapter 27

Amelia

My happiness was a person and his name was Matteo. Being with Matteo made me so incredibly happy that sometimes I had to pinch myself just to make sure it was all real.

I was with the man I loved, and my parents had accepted him. Things couldn’t be better. I smiled like a love-struck idiot as I stared at him. It was the morning after my first night back. Matteo and I were lying in bed, but he was still asleep.

I pushed his hair aside as I admired his features. He was so incredibly handsome. No wonder the women at Phoenix Consulting were always talking about him. He was worthy of all their attention.

Matteo stirred a bit and then his eyes opened slowly. A soft smile spread across his lips when he saw me. “How long have you been awake?” he asked.

“Not long.”

That was a lie. I’d been awake for at least an hour and I’d spent that hour staring at him. Matteo kissed my forehead and pulled my body closer to his. I placed my head on his chest and my hand on his bicep, stroking absentmindedly just as he combed through my hair.

“I have to go to work soon,” he said.

“So do I.”

“I also have to return Lisa’s key.”

I laughed. “So do I.”

It took us another hour before we could get out of bed. We took a shower, got dressed, and left the penthouse together. Matteo suggested we stop by Lisa’s office first so we could give her the keys.

“Wow. Look at the two happy lovebirds,” Lisa said when she spotted us. Matteo and I held onto each other as we approached her. Then we both pulled out a key.

“Thank you for everything, Lisa,” I said. I separated from Matteo so I could give her a hug.

Lisa hugged me back. “No need to thank me. I’m glad I could help.”

We left Lisa’s office and Matteo drove me to work. I stood in front of the office doors as I watched his car pull away. I all but floated into the building because I was so happy about our relationship.

The only thing that stopped my joyful floating was Ivy’s frowning face. I hadn’t even noticed she was standing behind me. She must have seen me wave goodbye to Matteo. She opened her mouth to say what I assumed would be some rude comment.

Instead of waiting to listen to it or respond, I walked away. I had a busy day at work and I didn’t have time to argue with her. I was so busy that I had to turn down my coworkers when theyasked me to have lunch with them. Work had piled up during the time I was hung up on Matteo.

I’d completed my fifth task of the day when my phone started to ring. I was so absentminded that I answered it without checking to see who was calling. “Hello.”

“Amelia. Hi.”

The voice was familiar but not familiar enough that I could recognize who it was. I pulled the phone away from my ear and my eyes widened when I saw the caller ID. It was Lucas, the man I was supposed to marry months ago.

My mind drifted back to the moment I saw Matteo sitting in the crowd. I had already resigned myself to marrying Lucas but seeing him gave me the strength I needed to push back against my parent’s wishes.

I left Lucas standing alone at the altar that day. Guilt made my chest constrict as I thought about how awful it must have been to stand there and watch his bride run away. He deserved an apology.

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