Page 71 of Branded Hearts

22

She Is - The Fray

Friday 5:15 PM

I reread our texts and can’t help but feel a bit embarrassed that I had to search up what ‘xx’ meant.

She’d sent mekisses. It made me smile.

I’d thought long and hard about where I wanted totake her. I ended up opting for a small fancy diner about thirty-five minutes or so from Wattle Creek, in another small-ish town called Clifftop Haven, perched on a mountaintop. It’s a stunning little joint they’ve got there. An old friend of mine from school, Jackson Hill, moved out there years ago and has been running his own orchard and livestock farm ever since. I’ve been meaning to catch up with him, but haven’t for a while now.

I should.

I found out about this diner because a colleague from work, Grant, was raving about it after he went up there with his wife. I pestered him for the details, and here we are now. I get changed, throwing on a pair of jeans, a henley shirt, and my favourite denim jacket lined with sherpa. As I check myself in the mirror, I feel a mix of nerves and anticipation. Is this really a date? I hadn’t thought of it that way, but now, as I think about it, it pretty much seems that way, doesn’t it? Grabbing my keys and wallet, I head out of my room.

“Heading out,” I call to Mum.

“Where to?” she pipes up from the couch, giving me a curious look.

“Out,” I mumble, not wanting to go into detail.

As I head to my Navarra, I see Dad coming from around his car, wearing a tool belt and holding a hammer.

“Son,” he says with a nod. I nod back.

“Where ya off to?” he asks as I unlock my car.

“Dinner. With a friend.”

He gives me a once-over, then nods with a knowing look.

“Bout time,” he mumbles, but I don’t give much thought to what he means.

“Bye,” I say, hopping into my ute.

I rock up to Amelia’s house just shy of five thirty. I’m a man who’s always on time.

I quickly send her a text to let her know I’m here, and a response comes shortly after, letting me know she’s coming down. Stepping out, I round the car and lean against the passenger door, waiting. Then I see her. It’s a sight that takes my breath away.

Amelia walks toward me, and fuck, she’s stunning. She’s wearing a yellow dress that falls just above her knees—the bodice is tight, like a vice, accentuating her small waist. Over the top, she has a thin cardigan, and on her feet are her usual white sneakers, that I’ve seen her wear countless times now.

She’s a true beauty.

How I never noticed these things about her before is beyond me. Her hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders, catching the light just right. There’s a hint of nervousness in her smile, but her eyes sparkle with excitement. She’s got this way of looking at me, like she sees right through all my walls.

Fuck that. Deep down, IknowI’vealwaysnoticed.

“Hey,” she says, a bit breathless as she reaches me.

“Hey. You look... beautiful,” I reply, opening the passenger door for her. I’m almost speechless as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile radiant.

“Thank you. So do you!” she blurts quickly, then corrects herself, “I mean, not beautiful, but handsome. You look... good.” She hides her face before hopping into the passenger seat.

I can’t help but smile at her adorable awkwardness.

She really is something else.

A warm feeling settles in my chest as I shake my head, smiling to myself. Yeah, I really am just out here smiling to myself like an idiot.

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