Page 54 of Meant for Me
She tucked the flaps back into the box and cut her eyes at Linc, who had started chugging a glass of water. Leave it to Madame Paulette. “Um, thank you…”
“Here.” Elisa shoved another present into her hands. “This one is from Mrs. Peters.”
Ah, the librarian. That one should be safe to open in public. Zoey’s shoulders eased from around her ears, and she cast her friend a grateful look. But just in case…She glanced at Linc. “Why don’t I open this one?”
“Be my guest.” Linc set his empty glass on the counter with a clank.
She carefully tore into the box, peeked inside. A toaster. Perfect.
A normal hue returned to Linc’s face as they made their way through the remaining pile. Gift cards to Amazon from their friends. A basket of produce and canned salsa from Farmer Branson. A leather-bound set of books from Sadie. Stationery from Peggy at August Bowman’s office. And a coffee maker from Mama D, much to Linc’s delight.
Or, at least, as delighted as Linc ever got.
“This one is for you, sugar.” Elisa gestured for Amelia, who had been hovering in the background with her bag of fries, to open the remaining package on the table. “We all went in together.”
“For me?” Amelia’s eyes widened, and she shot a half-panicked, half-hopeful look at Zoey.
Fighting the swell in her throat, Zoey gave her an encouraging nod. Maybe Linc and Zoey didn’t have a lot of family in the Bay, but they had somereallygood friends.
Zoey glanced at Linc, the way his eyes softened as he watched Amelia cautiously tear off the gift wrap. He looked away long enough to meet her eyes, smile. He rested his hand lightly on her shoulder, and she leaned into him. Not for appearances, not for obligation. Just appreciating the nice moment together.
The moment that seemed to prove their hasty decision had been the right one.
Amelia unearthed a picture frame and another gift card, this time a generic one that could be used anywhere credit cards were accepted.
Elisa stepped forward, hands clasped in front of her. “We thought you could use some money of your own for shopping. Clothes, your room, whatever you want.”
“Thank you.” Amelia’s whisper barely carried, but it was genuine, along with the small smile lifting her lips.
Linc squeezed Zoey’s shoulder, mouthed a thank you to Noah, who nodded in return. Zoey smiled at Elisa, who offered a quick wink.
“And the frame is for a photo of your family.” Rosalyn leaned across the counter and pointed with a smile. “The three of you.”
Amelia’s smile faltered. She stared down at the white ceramic square in her hands, back growing rigid. The room quieted. Zoey shot Linc a look of concern, but he was also frowning, clearly unsure what was happening.
She turned back to Amelia. “Hey, are you?—”
The girl dropped the frame on the counter with a clatter. It cracked down the side, and without looking back, she bolted for the door.
* * *
It was Linc’s turn to run after her.
His loafers pounded on the sidewalk, cramping his toe with every step. He was faster than Zoey had been the other day when she chased Amelia—not that in all his years of cross training he’d imagined needing endurance for this particular reason—and he caught up to her less than a block from the diner.
“For the record, you’re not my family.” Amelia spun in front of Chug a Mug, lobbing the words like a grenade.
Linc stopped. Cracked his neck to shake it off. “What are you talking about?” The descending sun cast long shadows across the sidewalk, swathing half of Amelia’s face.
She crossed her arms, holding herself together. “You heard that blonde lady. I’m supposed to put a photo of my family in that frame.” She swiped at her nose with her wrist. “Whatfamily? You’re a stranger. And Zoey isn’t my mom now just because you two got married on a whim.”
“It wasn’t a—” Well, it sort of was a whim. But not in the way she meant. He cleared his throat, unsure what to address first. “No one is trying to make Zoey your mother.”
“Good. The last thing I need isthreeuninvolved parents.”
Linc briefly closed his eyes. They were back to that. Why wouldn’t she believe him? “I’m telling you, I never knew you existed until the other day. That’s the truth.”
Amelia’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “Momalways said otherwise.”
