Page 116 of Beautiful Storm

“Thank you. So, how about you get ready and drop me off at my place on your way? I start later than you. I’ll make breakfast while I wait.”

“Um…” She hesitates, making me roll my eyes.

“It’s just breakfast, Amelia. I’m not moving in.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I press a kiss to her brow before jumping up in search of my clothes, and I’ve just found my sweater when I come across a bowl of melted ice cream mixed with popcorn. What in the—

“Ah, Amelia. What did you eat for dinner last night?”

She groans, and I can’t stop the smile on my face as she asks, “Any chance we can pretend you never saw that?”

“Yep.” I chuckle. “That works for me.”

After spending the night at Amelia’s, I somehow manage to get my ass to practice on time only to find the parking lot empty. I rack my brain trying to remember if I missed something, and Easton’s parting words come to mind. “Don’t forget practice is an hour later tomorrow.”

Dammit. I was so caught up in getting to Amelia that I did exactly what he told me not to do. I forgot. But thank God it was an hour later and not earlier, so that’s a win.

After dumping my bag into my locker, I consider a quick workout until Amelia’s beautiful face enters my mind. If our practice is an hour later then maybe she has some free time.

Decision made, I make my way through the halls until I find Amelia’s office, and I’m just about to knock when someone calls out my name, making me cringe like I’m in trouble.

“Luke Bennett?”

“Yep.” I turn slowly to find Keeley’s replacement, and I have to hold back from raising my hands in the air like I’ve done something wrong. Yes, I was about to sneak into Amelia’s office, but since I haven’t yet, I’m innocent.

“Hi…”Dammit. What was her name?

“Emery."Yes, Emery.

“Hi Emery. How are you?”

“Good. Are you looking for someone?”

“The director asked if I could pop my head in before practice. She had some notes for me.”

“Oh.” Emery’s face lights up. “I can’t wait to view some of the footage. I was actually on my way to visit Amelia now.”

“Huh. Well, there you go. I can come back.”

“No, that’s okay. I won’t be long. We can go together.”

“Perfect.” I smile on the outside but internally grimace.Amelia is going to kill me. But also… this could be fun.

I wait for Emery to catch up and knock on the door as she reaches me, smiling once more.

“Come in,” Amelia calls out and I take a breath, praying she goes along with my ruse.

Emery opens the door and signals for me to go in ahead of her, but I shake my head and insist she goes first. You know, because I’m a gentleman and not because I want Amelia to see her first.

She thanks me before Amelia glances up from her desk.

“Emery?”

“Hi, Amelia. I know you asked Luke to see you, but I hope you don’t mind, I just had a quick question.”

Amelia’s eyes briefly widen when she spots me, but she recovers quickly. “Yes, of course. But if you need me for longer, I can chat with Luke later. It’s not time critical.”

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