Page 72 of Branded Hearts

We’re driving with the radio playing softly, just the way I like it. I don’t understand people who need their music blaring while they drive. Amelia sits quietly beside me, her phone occasionally pinging with a text message. I glance over at her without turning my head, watching her type away.

“Someone’s popular tonight,” I remark, breaking the comfortable silence. Because that’s what it is.

Comfortable.

The air between us has shifted, changed. I no longer feel like an awkward pre-teen around a girl; I feel comfortable. I can only hope that she feels the same way.

She sighs. “Sorry, it’s my work friends.”

“Uh huh,” I say, keeping my eyes on the road.

“Are they the same girls from the pub?” I ask, looking at her quickly.

“Yeah,” she answers with a nervous smile. “I told them I was going out for dinner, and they’re pestering me for details.”

“Right. And did you tell them?” I ask.

“Tell them what?” she responds, and I glance over to find her eyes watching me with such an innocent expression. Fuck, she has those doll eyes. Not the sultry come-hither eyes. No, Amelia’s brown orbs are wide open, warm and inviting.

“That you’re going to dinner with me?” I say, my voice steady.

“Yes. But they won’t say anything. I promise,” she says quickly.

This makes me feel... odd. She makes it sound so forbidden. And while, yes, it’s probably not the most ideal, given the situation with her being Liv’s best friend and all, however, there really is nothing wrong with two friends hanging out. Right? I frown at the thought. Friends. We are friends, yes.

But is it enough? Can it be more?

“I don’t mind,” I reply, trying to keep my tone casual. I swear I hear her exhale, almost as if she’s relieved to hear that.

We continue driving, the comfortable silence wrapping around us once more. As I focus on the road, my mind wanders to what this night might bring. Friends hanging out, sure, but something tells me this could be the start of something more. We reach the border, passing the sign that saysWelcome to Wattle Creek,when Amelia softly asks.

“Uh, where are we even going?”

“You’ll see soon.” Amelia shifts slightly in her seat, glancing over at me.

“Are you always this mysterious?” she asks, a hint of teasing in her voice.

I smirk, keeping my eyes on the road. “Only when I need to be.”

She laughs softly, and it’s a sound that makes me smile. I like hearing her laugh. It’s genuine, like everything about her.

The sun is beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the outback landscape. The sky is painted with hues of orange and pink, the light making everything look almost magical. I don’t need my sun visor, but I notice Amelia squinting and raising her hand to block the sun.

Without thinking, I reach over and pull her visor down before returning my hand to my thigh, gripping the steering wheel with my other. As we pass through the small towns and open stretches of road, I steal glances at her. She’s fiddling with the gold ring on her finger, a habit I’ve noticed before.

I wonder what she’s thinking, if she’s as nervous as I am. Maybe more. Maybe less. Her right hand rests beside her thigh, and I suddenly have the urge to grab it. To quell her nerves, if she’s feeling them. But how do I do that without it coming off weird?

I mean, fuck, we’ve kissed twice, and it almost feels like we haven’t. She’s just so modest, and I’m, well, just me—not exactly the most exciting guy around. But damn, I want to be exciting for her. The way she makes me excited.

The landscape changes as we approach Clifftop Haven. The rolling hills give way to steeper inclines, and the road winds upward. I can feel the excitement building in me, a mix of nerves andanticipation.

Finally, we reach the restaurant;The Haven.It’s a small little place, perched on the edge of a cliff, with a stunning view of the valley below. The lights from inside cast a warm, inviting glow, and I can see a few other cars parked outside. I pull into a spot and turn off the car.

She looks around, her eyes wide with wonder. “This is... wow. It’s beautiful.”

I smile, feeling a sense of pride. “Thought you’d like it.”

Amelia nods, still taking in the view. “I more than like it, Bradley. This is amazing.”

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