Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 54

Halfway to Velvet Vice, Amelia detoured to the mall and picked up a gift.

Getting divorced from Daniel was one thing, but his friends had always been polite to her. It would be rude to show up empty-handed on someone’s birthday.

Finley loved a crowd. The private lounge was packed with men and women, laughter and chatter filling the air. Amelia pushed open the door, gave the room a quick scan, and felt relieved—Porcelain Doll hadn’t shown up.

“Sis!”

A chorus of greetings rang out as soon as she stepped in. Amelia felt a little awkward. With her and Daniel on the brink of divorce, she wanted to tell them they didn’t need to call her “sis” anymore. But technically, they weren’t divorced yet, so she let it go.

Daniel sat in a shadowy corner, his handsome features half-lit by the dim glow. The collar of his black shirt was open, pale throat catching the light as he swallowed. He raised a hand, beckoning her over. “Babe.”

Goosebumps raced up Amelia’s arms.

Seriously? Calling her “babe” in front of everyone, when they were about to split up?

She bit her tongue, reminded herself of the crowd, and sat beside him, lowering her voice. “You’re drunk already? Only took a couple handfuls of peanuts.”

“What?” Daniel leaned in, acting as if he couldn’t hear her. His ear was so close her lips nearly brushed it.

Amelia edged away. “A week apart and you’ve gone deaf?”

“Call me ‘darling’ and maybe my hearing will come back.”

She stared at him. “You’re ridiculous.”

Turning away, she handed Finley—seated a few spots down—the gift, chatted a bit, then got right to the point. “Did you sign the papers?”

It dawned on Amelia—being shut in here with Daniel, alone in this private little bubble, wasn’t the best idea. What if he...

She didn’t get to finish the thought. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her straight into Daniel’s chest.

He bent down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Your lips are just as soft as I remember. Shame you’re so stubborn when you talk.”

Amelia’s eyes went wide. “You… jerk!”

Daniel laughed, clearly amused. “That’s the worst you can come up with? ‘Jerk’? I could be much worse, you know.”

She slapped a hand over her mouth, half-muffled, half-angry. “Don’t you dare. I’ll bite you!”