Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 13

Amelia’s hands clenched in her lap as she looked at Daniel.

Fireworks filled the sky outside.

He had once set off fireworks for her, too.

It was a summer night—fireworks burst overhead in dazzling confession, painting his handsome face with shifting colors. Light danced behind him as he opened his arms to her, his eyes shining. “Do you like it, Kitten Turner?”

She’d gathered her dress and raced toward him, chasing light and shadow, throwing herself into his embrace.

But he had probably forgotten all those moments by now.

Daniel saw her lost in thought and ruffled her hair with a half-smile. “Why are you staring at me? Am I better looking than the fireworks?”

Even the simplest words, in his lazy, teasing tone, sounded like flirting.

Mogan watched the three of them with an amused grin, lifting his glass to clink with Daniel’s. Whether he meant to stir the pot or just didn’t know better, he said, “Mrs. Campbell and Ms. Scott look awfully alike. Mr. Campbell, is that your type?”

The room instantly fell silent.

Only the thunder of fireworks continued outside.

Mogan wasn’t exactly one of them—he’d only gotten close to Daniel recently, and clearly had no idea about the tangled history between the three. Most friends would delicately avoid this topic to spare everyone’s feelings, but Mogan barreled right in.

Charles frowned, trying to steer the conversation away. He raised his glass and said, “Come on, what’s a show like this without some champagne? Cheers!”

Everyone scrambled to toast, trying to shake off the tension.

But Mogan didn’t move, his eyes locked on Daniel, as if demanding an answer.

Amid the clink of glasses, Amelia heard that painfully familiar voice:

“Ever collected trading cards, Mr. White? When you can’t get the original, you play with the knock-offs for a while.”

Boom—

A firework exploded close by, the sound ringing in Amelia’s ears, her mind going blank.

Charles looked ready to crawl under the couch. He hurried around and pressed Daniel back into his seat. “You’re drunk.”

Then he turned to Amelia, apologetic. “He’s just rambling. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Wait—Amelia, were you serious back there? Is Daniel actually the knock-off?”

Amelia kept her eyes on the road, silent.

Sophia thought for a moment. “So the real one was that boy from before?”

Amelia’s memories were hazy—just a blurred face and a feeling.

There was a time she couldn’t remember anything, except for the warmth of someone shielding her, gentle and comforting, like a shaft of sunlight breaking through clouds on a grey day, falling softly on her face.

But even the kindest light only existed in memory—it wasn’t enough to fall in love.

Still, Amelia couldn’t swallow her anger.

After dropping Sophia off, she showered and went straight to bed.

Half-asleep, her phone buzzed on the pillow beside her.

She just wanted to sleep off her mood. The interruption only made her more irritable. Without even opening her eyes, she fumbled for the phone and shut it off.