Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 12

With that, he kicked the door to the private lounge wide open.

Amelia didn't even have a chance to stop him.

“Who the hell—wait, Amelia?”

The guy sitting by the door had been red-faced with anger, but as soon as he saw Amelia, his expression shifted in a heartbeat. “Oh, Amelia. I didn’t realize you were on the cruise too.”

Amelia stepped inside, instantly enveloped by the warm, heady scent of alcohol that hung in the air, making the whole place feel as cozy as spring.

Sometimes you don’t realize just how pitiful something is until you compare it side by side.

Daniel sat in the main seat on the couch, black shirt carelessly unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal lean, sculpted forearms.

He rarely wore anything flashy, but even the simplest colors looked expensive and striking on him—impossible to ignore.

Just like now; the moment Amelia walked in, her eyes found him at once.

Their gazes met across the haze of spirits in the air, and suddenly, the room fell into an awkward hush.

Well, of course. Coming out to watch fireworks on a cruise, not inviting your wife, and then getting caught? There was no way this wasn’t awkward.

Surprisingly, it was Violet who broke the silence first. “Amelia! I didn’t know you were here too. Come on over and join us!”

Her tone was warm and welcoming, taking on the air of a gracious hostess.

Sophia, however, instantly bristled. “Wow, I’ve seen everything tonight. Didn’t know Miss Third Wheel had such a thick skin.”

Violet’s smile faltered. “Excuse me, who are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you! Your skin’s thicker than your butt—like a toad trying to play queen—ow!”

Before Sophia could finish, Amelia pinched her arm and muttered under her breath, “That’s Daniel’s darling you’re taunting. Don’t drag me into your mess if she gets upset.”

Daniel, sharp-eared, raised an eyebrow. “What did you just call me?”

“Scumbag Daniel,” Amelia replied glibly. “Just saying you smell fantastic—great choice of cologne.”

Daniel clearly didn’t buy it. He smirked, but let it go.

Ever since Amelia and Sophia entered, the energy in the lounge had been off. It was nothing like the lively atmosphere they’d overheard down on the lower deck.

Not that Amelia cared.

If she hadn’t seen Sophia shivering from the cold, she wouldn’t even have bothered coming in to sit.

Soon the second round of fireworks began. VIP was VIP—the view was unbeatable, warm and comfortable, and Sophia was pressed to the floor-to-ceiling windows, snapping dozens of pictures for her Facebook.

Amid the thunder of fireworks, Amelia heard Daniel’s voice: “If you wanted to see the fireworks on the cruise, why didn’t you tell me?”

Amelia kept her eyes on the bursts of color outside, not turning around. “So you could plan your schedule to avoid us? Sorry, didn’t mean to ruin your little party.”

“You only get this sharp with me,” Daniel said with a half-smile.

Amelia couldn’t help herself; she turned to look at him. “Who else? If I made your Porcelain Doll cry, you’d be so heartbroken.”

Violet—Daniel’s so-called Porcelain Doll—piped up, eager to join the fun. “Amelia, aren’t the fireworks gorgeous? I mentioned I wanted to see them, so Daniel pulled a few strings and arranged for extra fireworks tonight—just for us! Isn’t he thoughtful?”