Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 75

People trickled into the private room one after another, prompting Amelia to wrap up her conversation with Baron. Dinner lasted over an hour. The university administrators and a few of Baron’s friends were still clinking glasses, and the students who could hold their liquor joined in for a few rounds, while the rest lounged on the couches, chatting quietly.

Amelia found the mingled smells of food and alcohol in the room a bit stifling, so she slipped outside for some fresh air.

At the end of the hallway, she spotted a small outdoor courtyard. Heading that way, she had just reached for the glass door when footsteps sounded behind her. Before she could react, a familiar hand—long-fingered and unmistakable—covered hers, pushing the door open for her.

She didn’t even need to look. That touch was impossibly familiar.

Was the world really this small, or was Daniel just haunting her on purpose? Every time she left the institute, she seemed to run into him.

The cold air outside hit her, and Amelia’s delicate brows drew together.

“Why do you always frown when you see me?” Daniel teased, bringing both index fingers to the corners of her lips, pushing upward until she wore a forced, insincere smile. “Can’t you manage a real one, just once?”

There was a faint scent of pine and cologne on his fingertips, drifting unbidden into her nose.

Amelia turned her head away. “I can’t smile at you. Seeing you is just—annoying.”

Daniel grinned. “Someone with a heart as warm as yours shouldn’t say such cold things.”

Amelia walked over to a wicker chair, ignoring him.

Daniel didn’t seem bothered. Like an overzealous puppy, he followed and sat across from her, propping his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands, his dark eyes fixed on her intently.

His gaze made her uneasy.

“You’re really beautiful, you know.” His eyes crinkled with a smile.

Amelia thought Daniel must be thoroughly out of his mind. She shifted her gaze, ready to snap at him, but her attention snagged on the open collar of his shirt.

Inside the restaurant, it was as warm as spring, but out here the temperature had dropped. Amelia had put on a puffy coat before stepping outside. Daniel, on the other hand, wore a gray overcoat, but underneath was only a thin black shirt, collar unbuttoned. In the dim light, his pale collarbones and skin seemed even more striking—impossible to ignore.

Daniel leaned in. “And if you give me a kiss, I’ll consider it even more.”

Amelia smacked him on the arm. “You creep!”

But Daniel knew her well enough to dodge, catching her slender hand before she could land the blow. He traced her wrist lightly with his thumb. “Careful, you’ll only hurt your own hand. And I’d hate to see you in pain.”

Amelia was exasperated. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I suppose I am,” Daniel murmured, his dark eyes softening in the light. “You’ve been staying at the institute for so long, you’re making me lovesick.”

Just then, the glass door swung open. Baron saw them—Daniel’s arm around Amelia, her hand caught in his—and stopped short in surprise. Then realization dawned, and Baron’s expression turned thunderous as he stormed over, ready for a fight.

“So you’re Amelia’s blind-as-a-bat excuse for a husband?” he demanded, giving Daniel a once-over, his eyes full of disdain. “You may look like you have it together, but you’re all show and no substance. What a waste of a handsome face.”