Page 97 of Branded Hearts

“Night, princess,” Bradley replies affectionately.

As Bradley walks me to my car, the evening air feels cooler, making me shiver slightly.

“Thanks again for having me over,” he says, his voice warm.

I can’t help but tease him. “Well, technically, it was Mum’s idea.”

His smirk is irresistible. “Oh, soyoudidn’twant me to come?”

I roll my eyes, trying to hide my smile. “Of course I did. Don’t get a big head.”

“Hm, that’s what I thought,” he teases back, leaning in closer.

Before I can process what’s happening, Bradley leans forward and kisses me softly. My eyes flutter closed, a contented sigh escaping my nose as his lips meet mine. His cologne surrounds me, intoxicating and comforting all at once, and I just want to sink into the moment.

When he pulls back, I blink up at him, feeling dazed. “What was that for?” I ask, trying to sound innocent.

“Just ‘cause,” he says, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “Goodnight, Amelia.”

Be still my heart.

“Goodnight, Bradley Bear,” I say with a playful wink.

He rolls his eyes, but his smile gives him away. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

“Nope,” I reply, grinning mischievously. “Consider it payback for calling me Meli.”

“Fair point,” he chuckles softly. With that, he turns and heads toward his car. I watch him go, lingering for a moment before opening my car door. Just as I’m about to step inside, his voice stops me.

“Amelia.”

I turn to face him. “Yeah?”

“Drive safe, okay?” His concern is evident in his voice. I furrow my brows for a moment, touched by his unexpected worry.

“Always,” I assure him.

He nods, a small smile playing on his lips, and then he gets into hiscar and drives off into the night.

I lie in bed, snuggled up against my pillows, the soft glow of my bedside lamp creating a warm cocoon in my room. Sleep eludes me, my mind swirling with the events of tonight. Bradley meeting Dad, bonding effortlessly with my sister and sweet Millie—it’s like something out of a movie.

The way Bradley interacted with Millie... It’s heart-melting. He has this natural ease with kids that makes me imagine a future where he’s a dad, whether it’s with me or someone else. It’s a thought that both excites and scares me in equal measure. I’m in this strange limbo of wanting to move forward, yet feeling hesitant to take that leap.

But maybe Kat’s right; maybe it’s time I stop overthinking and just go for it. I need to find the courage to make my feelings clear, even if it feels a bit daunting. Determined, I grab my phone and text him.

I know he’s probably awake, but I want to check just in case he’s exhausted after a big day—though I still have no idea what his day was like. His reply comes almost instantly.

I smile before replying.

I can work with that. I wonder if he has trouble sleeping at night. Does his mind keep him up, too? Feeling peckish for a snack, I decide to push my nerves aside and ask.

Those three little bubbles appear, and I stare at them. They disappear, and I frown, waiting for his reply. If he replies. Maybe he doesn’t like ice cream. Maybe he wants to sleep.

My heart does a little flip. At least he’s still replying.

Those three dots appear and stay there before disappearing again.Hm.Minutes pass and no reply comes.

I close my phone, trying not to be too discouraged. Padding into the kitchen to fill up my water bottle, a gentle vibration in my pocket sends a wave of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I open the text message.

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