Robert kept a respectful distance. While Amelia sat on the small sofa, he worked at the desk across the room—close enough to be present, far enough not to make her feel uncomfortable.
Eventually, waiting lulled Amelia to sleep. When she woke, she found a light blanket draped over her.
She sat up slowly. “What time is it?”
Robert had already showered and changed into pajamas. “One o’clock.”
She’d been out for more than two hours. Folding the blanket neatly, Amelia set it aside. “I should head back to my own room. If he hasn’t shown up this late, he’s probably not coming.”
Maybe she’d overestimated her place in Daniel’s heart. Seeing those photos might have made him angry, but it didn’t mean he’d drive out to Diamond Isle in the middle of the night.
As Amelia stood, a sudden, violent pounding erupted in the hallway—not on their door, but the one next door.
The banging stopped as abruptly as it started. A moment later, her phone rang, slicing through the silence.
She checked the screen. It was Daniel.
Amelia met Robert’s eyes. With a silent movement of her lips, she mouthed: You ready?
Robert flashed an “OK” sign, then followed her toward the door, undoing a few buttons at the top of his pajama shirt as he walked.
Amelia looked calm, but her heart was racing. She’d never staged a scene like this before—pretending to get caught cheating was enough to make anyone nervous.
She gripped the doorknob, took a deep breath, and yanked the door open.
Daniel, hearing movement nearby, turned his head. For a split second, the air seemed to freeze.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel)