Page 15 of Yours Until Forever

When she answers with a curt, “James”, I understand her grimace. It’s her ex who I’ve gathered isn’t her favorite person these days.

I take the opportunity to check my emails for anything urgent. I try not to eavesdrop on Amelia, but her voice, and the tension in it, pulls my attention.

Apparently, she was supposed to be at home this morning so James could drop something of Sarah’s off. She apologises for forgetting but the strain is clear in her voice. He must ask her where she is because she tells him she’s working on the science fair with one of the class parents and won’t be home for a little while.

It’s at this point that my phone rings. I answer immediately when I see Hayden’s name on the screen. I left a message for him this morning after I saw Blair.

“You got my message?”

“Yeah, and I don’t really have the time to get involved.”

“Blair will do all the work. I just need you to keep an eye on her.”

I overhear Amelia’s voice turning sharper. “No, James, I’m not on a date, though if I were, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”

Interesting that he’s grilling her about her dating life.

“So,” Hayden says, “You don’t trust the attorney you’ve hired.”

I’m distracted by Amelia abruptly standing and striding out of the coffee shop, still on the phone, her displeasure with the conversation blazing from her.

“Gage,” Hayden nudges. “There’s no point hiring Blair if you’re not going to let her do her job. And she’s not going to want me watching over her.”

“She explicitly told me to make sure you’re with me when we meet next.”

He turns silent for a moment. Then says, “Right. Okay.”

I frown at the note of uncertainty in his voice. “Is that ‘okay’ as in yes?”

“Yes. Let me know the details and I’ll make time for it.”

It’s unusual for Hayden to bend to my requests so easily once he’s already said no. If I wasn’t so distracted by Amelia, I’d dig into that with him. Instead, we end the call, and I give my full attention back to the woman who is now standing on the sidewalk gesturing wildly with her hands while saying something to her ex that looks a lot likefuck off.

Her entire body is rigid when she walks back inside.

“Sorry about that,” she says as she sits, her face tight.

I nod but don’t speak. Not yet. I want to know if she’ll open up further.

She takes a sip of her coffee, staring at her planner like it holds all the answers she needs in life.

“Is it always like that?” I ask quietly.

Her eyes cut to mine. “What?”

“With him.”

I see her shutting down before she even contemplates answering me. “Let’s just get back to finalizing these plans. I have another appointment soon.”

Not wanting to push her further away, I give her what she wants.

We finish planning, but my focus is shot.

I came here for science fair logistics. Now all I can think about is Amelia, and the fact I want to demand a meeting every day just so I can spend more time with her.

6

Amelia

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