Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 221

“But mouthing off at them didn’t really accomplish anything. That girl, Ruby—the one without a dad? They used that to poke at her.”

Daniel rarely bothered with other people’s business, but something about this just rubbed him the wrong way.

A kid growing up without a father was hard enough. Using it as ammunition against her? What kind of person did that?

“What’s that family’s name?” Daniel tapped his knuckles on the table. “Find out and let me know.”

…

When Amelia answered the phone, she thought it was a wrong number at first. It took a moment before she realized it wasn’t.

On the other end, someone apologized profusely—so earnestly that Amelia got the feeling if she didn’t accept, they’d show up the next day with a peace offering.

She waved Ruby over and put the call on speaker.

Ruby’s voice was bright and clear. “I can’t hear you. What are you guys saying?”

There was a long pause, and then, a strained, awkward, “I’m sorry.”

“Still can’t hear you,” Ruby replied, obviously playing it up. She raised her voice, “You’ll have to say it louder. And together, please!”

Amelia could practically picture the embarrassment on the other side of the line, the way their breaths sounded. After a few seconds, they managed to blurt out in unison, “We’re sorry! It was all our fault!”

Amelia hung up and looked at Ruby. “Feel better?”

Ruby slid off the sofa, grinning. “Oh, much better!”

Sophia walked in from the kitchen. “I’m honestly dying to know what kind of man Ruby’s father is. Just look at that attitude—she’s got it down to an art.”

Amelia thought to herself that genetics were a powerful thing. Ruby only looked like her; everything else—her tastes, her personality, that streak of pride—was all him.

She glanced at Sophia, who had finished the dishes and was now tidying up the coffee table. “Take a break, Sophia. I’ll get to that in a bit.”

Every time Sophia came over, she slipped straight into cleaning mode—even though her own place was a mess and she never bothered with it.

“This housekeeper just isn’t cutting it. Should we keep looking for a new one?”

The mention of help made Amelia’s head ache. If it were just her, she wouldn’t care so much. But with Ruby around, she couldn’t let things slide.

Her mind wandered to the staff at Emerald Meadows, and then, inevitably, to Daniel.

Since the divorce conversation had stalled, she’d need to reschedule.

Amelia’s response was cool: “Why not a green hat, while you’re at it? That would suit you.”

Daniel had the urge to reach over and ruffle her hair but held back, not wanting to set her off. “Have you been eating poison for breakfast these past three years? Your words are as sweet as they are sharp.”

She ignored him, ordering their food before getting straight to the point. “I asked you out to talk about the divorce.”

Moments ago, Daniel had been enjoying the evening, the view, her company. Her words wiped all of that away.

“Divorce, divorce, divorce. Three years and that’s all you’ve got? Is there really nothing else you want to talk to me about?”

“If you don’t like that word, fine. When are we going to the courthouse to make it official?”

Daniel finally lost his composure. He reached across the table, mussed up her hair, and pinched her cheek. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Cut it out!” Amelia snapped, exasperated. Years had passed and he still hadn’t broken that habit.

Daniel took a sip of tea, as if trying to calm himself. “Why bother ordering food? You’ve already filled me up—with frustration.”

“Then don’t eat,” she shot back. “That’ll save me some money.”

Daniel gave her a slow, sidelong look. “Go ahead, keep trying to rile me up. The madder I get, the less likely I am to agree to a divorce.”