Page 40 of The One I Love
Amelia thinks about it for a second before the recognition sets in. “You’re right. How do you remember that? I don’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning.”
I slide her closer to me, so now we’re sitting next to each other at the pub table we snagged just off the main floor. “Because that was the Thanksgiving right after your divorce was finalized. You held it together all day, but after dinner, while everyone was in your kitchen eating pie, you were back in your room breaking down.”
She squeezes my hand tighter. “And you found me.”
I switch which hand I’m holding so I can put my arm around her. “I found you in your room, and you tried to pretend you weren’t crying. You did not hide it well.”
“And you sat with me and let me cry. Your shirt was soaked. Then when the tears were gone, you called Oliver and Simon, and you took me to The Joint. You even got Wes down from Nashville.”
“Yup. This band was playing, and we got you stupid drunk.”
She laughs as she rests her head on my shoulder. “I threw up so much the kids had to stay with my mom the next day.”
I chuckle, remembering how many times I had to stop on the way home to let her throw up. “That night, this band played, and you danced and drank and let every problem melt away. It was the night we got Amelia Evans back. And that’s why I remember it.”
Amelia told us that night she was going to change her last name back to Evans. We asked if she was sure—yes, we hated Paul, but it’s her kids’ last name. She told us flat out she needed to be separated from him in as many ways as possible, and taking back her name was the biggest way she knew how to do that. We asked her again after she sobered up if she was sure. She said there was nothing she wanted more.
“Thank you.”
I look down to see her big brown eyes looking back up at me. I want to lean down and kiss her so badly, but I’m not about to mess up what has been a perfect night. “What for?”
“Tonight. Back then. Every time I seem to find myself in a situation, you happen to appear, like some sort of personal superhero.”
“Should I get a cape?”
This makes her smile. “Possibly. I bet you’d look sexy in it.”
I know what I thought just a few seconds ago, but I need to kiss this woman more than I need my next breath.
And I do. Nothing big. Nothing deep. Just the briefest touch of our lips together. The second we connect, I feel likeI’m home. I don’t know how else to explain it, but that’s the feeling that’s rushing through my body.
When she pulls away, I’m a little concerned to not see her smiling.
“Everything okay?”
She quickly nods her head. “Is it scary how easy this feels?”
I let out a breath. “Yeah. A little.”
“It’s just—” She pauses for a second and sits back up so she can look straight at me. “I feel like this has been a whirlwind. One minute you’re just Shane, the next you’re Shane who I’m holding hands with and smiling at and wanting to kiss all the time.”
Now that makes me smile. “All the time?”
“Yes. But that’s terrifying. I wasn’t looking for anyone. Or to date. I was content with the life I had. Then here you come in, all sweet, with a romantic dinner and small gestures and smelling really, really good—I’m going to need you to never switch your cologne by the way—and making me question everything I thought about us.”
“No. Don’t question us,” I say, bringing her hands to my mouth. “Yes, this is new. Yes, this is different. But it’s not just you who is adjusting. I am, too.”
“Really?” she asks. “I feel like you’re so sure and confident in this. Like you’re just taking it all in perfect stride.”
I shake my head. “Amelia? Do you know how long I’ve wanted this?”
She shakes her head.
“Years. So many years that I’ve lost track.”
“Really?”
I nod. “You know that kiss. Our real first kiss?”
