FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  My heart broke listening to her yell that across the beach. I slowly walked towards her not knowing what she’d do. But she didn’t do anything but stand there. I approached her with caution and looked into her sad blue eyes and placed my hands gently on each side of her face.

  “You deserve to be happy. Don’t ever think you don’t. I don’t know what happened, but I do know that the accident wasn’t your fault. We can’t control fate, Amelia. You survived for a reason. Don’t ever forget that,” I said as I pulled her into a warm embrace.

  “They shouldn’t have died, Collin. They just shouldn’t have,” she began to cry.

  I held her tightly as I felt sorry for her. I could feel her pain and ache as she cried into my chest.

  “I’m so sorry for that,” she said.

  “Don’t apologize. Never apologize for the way you feel,” I said.

  We stood there and stared into each other’s eyes. I wanted to fucking kiss her so bad but not under these circumstances. I pulled away. It was the only thing I could do or else I would have kissed her and potentially could’ve ruined what little we had at the moment.

  “Can we go back to making s’mores?”

  “Can we order a pizza?” she asked with a small smile.

  I chuckled as I placed my forehead on hers. “Yeah. Pizza sounds like a great idea.”

  I put my arm around her, and she laid her head on my shoulder as we walked up to the house. I pulled out the pizza menu and after we both decided on what we wanted, I placed the order and we waited for it to be delivered.

  Chapter 16

  The alarm went off and I jumped in the shower. I couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia and last night. We enjoyed our pizza and had a great conversation about music. It turned out that we shared the same taste. Once I showered, I got dressed, grabbed my bag, locked up the house, and headed to Amelia’s. When I pulled in her driveway, she was standing on the porch with her bags.

  “Good morning.” I smiled.

  “Good morning. Look at you looking all handsome in a business suit.”

  I smiled as I grabbed her bags and set them with mine in the back seat. I opened the door for her, and she climbed in.

  “Ready to head back to the city?” I asked.

  “Not really. I would like to stay here forever. I love it here.”

  “Me too.” I said as I touched her hand.

  She turned and looked at me with a smile. I could get used to seeing that smile every morning.

  “I think we need some Starbucks before we head back. What do you think?”

  “I think you just read my mind, Mr. Black.”

  I pulled into the drive thru and ordered us coffee and two muffins. All the way to the city, we sang some of our favorite songs and had a lengthy conversation about politics. That was a subject we must never talk about again.

  “My apartment is at 75 Third Ave. in the Third Avenue North building.”

  “You’re not too far from Black Enterprises.”

  We reached her building and I got out and grabbed her bags.

  “It’s okay, Collin. I can get them. Thank you for me driving back. I appreciate it,” she said as she kissed me on the cheek.

  “You’re welcome, and it was my pleasure.”

  “I’ll see you around,” she spoke.

  “Don’t be a stranger,” I said as I got into the Range Rover and clasped the steering wheel.

  I felt sick to my stomach as I watched her walk into the building. What if this was the end for us. What if the Hamptons was just a dream and now that we’re back to reality, the dream is gone. I pulled out into traffic and drove to the office. I took the elevator up to my dad’s office but stopped to say hi to Diana first.

  “How was your weekend?” she asked.

  “It was amazing! How’s Jacob?”

  “He’s had a little setback. But he’ll be okay.”

  “Tell him I’m coming over to play some Xbox tonight.”

  “He’ll like that very much.” She smiled. “Your dad is waiting for you.”

  I sighed. “I know.”

  I opened the door and when I walked in, he was on the phone and motioned for me to sit down. I walked over to the coffee pot and poured a cup of coffee before taking a seat in the chair.

  “How was your ride back?” he asked as he hung up from his call.

  “It was great. How was yours?”

  “Don’t try and change the subject, son. I can tell you’re smitten with this girl.”

  “Smitten? Really, Dad? Did you just say smitten?”

  “Collin, you know what I mean.” He sighed.

  “I do like Amelia. She’s a great girl but she’s very complicated and that bothers me.”

  My dad leaned back in his chair. “Complicated how?”

  “Her parents, sister and boyfriend were all killed in a boating accident two years ago. She confided in me last night that she should’ve have been the one killed, not them. She’s really closed herself off to the world and I can tell she’s scared.”

  “So are you,” he said. “Hailey left a bad mark on you and that’s why your behavior has been less than acceptable. But, as someone who understands, I can see where you’re coming from. If you truly like her and want to be with her, make it happen. I did, and believe me, son, I was more fucked up than you. I’ve learned to let go of fear and let things happen the way they’re supposed to.”

  “Thanks, Dad, for your wisdom. Now, let’s go over that proposal. I have a lot of work to do today.”

  He smiled at me as he pulled out the file from his drawer and we spent the last hour going over business.

  * * *

  “Spill, little brother,” Julia said as she walked in my office.

  “Wow, you look bigger than the last time I saw you.” I smiled.

  “I’m not here to talk about how fat I’m getting. I’m here to talk about your little romantic weekend.”

  “Want to see a picture of her?”

  “Shut up! You have a picture already.”

  I unlocked my phone and scrolled to the picture of us on Majestic.

  “That’s her. That’s Amelia.” I said as I handed Julia my phone.

  “She’s so pretty, Collin. Are you horseback riding?”

  “Yes. It was her first time and she was a little nervous, so I told her to ride with me.”

  “Aw, you’re so sweet.” She smiled as she put her hands on her heart.

  “Stop it, Julia. We’re friends.”

  “Did you have sex?”

  “NO! I would never.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “Really, Collin? You have sex with any woman that looks at you.”

  “Not her. She’s different. I haven’t even kissed her yet.”

  Julia’s eyes widened. “Wow. You must really like this girl a lot.”

  “I do. More than I want to admit. I completely forgot to tell you, Hailey called me and then sent me a text message.”

  “Why? What did she want?”

  “Who the hell knows,” I said as I got up from my desk. “She wanted to know how I was. As if she even cares.”

  Julia got up from the chair and clasped my shoulders. “Listen, follow your heart. Don’t look back at the past.”

  I smiled at her as she walked out of my office. I couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia and the worst part was, I thought I missed her. Oh boy, what the hell was I going to do? I walked back to my dad’s office and stepped inside.

  “What can I do for you, son?” he asked.

  “I need you to buy a house.”

  He looked up at me from his paperwork and just stared. “You need me to do what?”

  “Dad, listen. The beach house was Amelia’s parents and she needs it to sell because she’s almost out of money. I’m afraid that it’s going to take too long to sell. Could you just buy it and then put it back on the market?”

  My dad gave me the look that he used to when I was child. I used to call it the ‘explanation’ look. He had the sam
e facial expression right before he would begin to explain things to me.

  “Collin, my son, listen. I know you want to help this girl out. I don’t blame you. But there comes a point when you have to realize that you can’t save everybody. I just can’t go and buy her house because she needs the money.”

  “Why not? You have a shitload of it.”

  “That’s not the point, son. Okay, I’ll make you a deal. If the house doesn’t sell in three months, I’ll buy it.”

  “Three months is too long, Dad.”

  “And what happens if things don’t work out and you’re not with her in three months?”

  “Fine. Three months,” I said.

  * * *

  A couple of days had passed, and I didn’t hear anything from Amelia. I didn’t call or text her because I was afraid that she’d reject me now that we were back in New York. The fact that she didn’t call or text me gave me a real insecure feeling. I dropped by Jacob’s house and we played some Xbox. He was coughing more than usual. Diana said that the doctor had changed his medication and it wasn’t working.

  “So, you gotta girl yet?” Jacob asked.

  “There may be someone I’m interested in.”

  “Like in serious or just a casual fling?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh when he said that. “I don’t know yet. I just met her but she’s not the casual fling type.”

  “Cool. Have you gone out yet?”

  “Just a couple of times in the Hamptons. I haven’t talked to her since we got back to the city.”

  “Oh. Well I hope things work out.”

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “No problem. My mom likes some guy. I met him. I don’t like him.”

  “Why don’t you like him?”

  “Cause, I don’t.”

  “But if he makes your mom happy that’s all that matters.”

  “I don’t care. I don’t want him around.”

  I could hear the anger in Jacob’s voice when he talked about it. I suspected he didn’t like the guy because he wasn’t his dad. When we finished our game, he looked at me.

  “I think you should call her and ask her out.”

  “I think you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Seriously, dude. Call her. She might surprise you,” he said as he began to cough.

  “I’m sorry. How old are you again?”

  “Just do it. Are you a scaredy cat?”

  “No!”

  “Oh that’s right, you’re a chicken” he said as he walked around the room making chicken noises and flapping his arms.

  “You little shit. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Then call her. Right now.”

  “Fine, I will!” I said as I pulled my phone from my pocket.

  I dialed her number as Jacob sat on the bed.

  “Hi, Collin,” she answered.

  God it was so good to hear her voice. “Hi, Amelia. How are you?”

  “I’m okay. How are you?”

  “I’m okay. Hey, would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Sure. I’d love to. But I can’t be out too late, I have a lot of studying to do.”

  “No problem. I’ll make sure you’re home early. How about I pick you up around six?”

  “Six sounds great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Amelia.”

  I looked at Jacob as he sat on the bed holding his thumb up in the air.

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “No problem.” He smiled.

  After I left Jacob’s house, I went straight home. My mom was in the living room working on one of her paintings and my dad was sitting on the couch with his laptop when I walked in.

  “Hi, Collin. Did you and Jacob have fun?” my mom asked.

  I walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah, we had fun.”

  “How’s he doing?” my dad asked.

  “He wasn’t all that great tonight. Diana said the doctor changed his meds.”

  “Damn, I wish there was something more we could do for him,” my dad said.

  “On another note, I called Amelia and we’re having dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Oh good, you can bring her to family dinner.” My mom smiled.

  “Um. I forgot that was tomorrow night. Mom—”

  “You won’t be missing family dinner tomorrow night, Collin. I expect you and Amelia to be here,” she said as she got up and left the room.

  I turned and looked at my dad who was sitting there with a big smile on his face.

  “You have to listen to your mother. Don’t disappoint her, son,” he said as he looked at his laptop screen.

  I rolled my eyes and went up to my room. I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent Amelia a text message.

  “We have to have dinner at my house tomorrow night. I forgot it’s family dinner night and my mom is making me be here. She told me she wants you to come. I’m sorry and I would completely understand if you changed your mind.”

  “No need to apologize. I think family dinner is great. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Really.”

  “I’m still picking you up.”

  “Okay. I’ll be ready and waiting.”

  Chapter 17

  The limo pulled up to the curb of the Third Avenue Building North and I sent Amelia a text message to let her know I was here. I looked at Ralph as he just sat there.

  “Ralph, you need to get out and open the door for Amelia.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Black,” he said as he jumped out of the limo.

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. I thought my dad made a mistake hiring Ralphie. As I looked out the window, I could see Amelia walking down the stairs. The limo door opened, and she climbed inside and sat down next to me. She looked beautiful in her black and pink floral sundress. The way she wore her hair was different from what I was used to seeing. Instead of wearing it straight, she had soft waves going through it. Shit. I was starting to get hard just looking at her, not to mention that she smelled like roses again.

  “You look great.” I smiled.

  “Thanks. So do you.”

  We talked a bit about her classes as Ralph drove us back to the penthouse. We took the elevator up and I could tell she was impressed. As soon as the doors opened and we stepped into the foyer, Julia came sprinting from the kitchen.

  “Hi, I’m Julia, Collin’s brother. You must be Amelia.”

  “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you. Congratulations on your baby.”

  Julia smiled and put her hands on her stomach. “Thank you. Did Collin tell you it’s a boy?”

  “Yes, he did. That’s so exciting.”

  Julia hooked her arm around Amelia’s and led her to the kitchen. As I followed behind, I couldn’t help but take in the amazing aroma that filled the penthouse. When I approached the kitchen, I walked up to my mom and kissed her on the cheek.

  “It smells great in here, Mom.”

  “Thanks, sweetie.” She smiled.

  I turned around and my dad, Jake and Julia were all talking to Amelia. Just as I was going over to join the discussion, I heard Denny approaching the kitchen.

  “Smells excellent in here, Ellery!” he said rather loudly.

  I walked over to him and gave him a light hug. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

  “I was feeling a little better, so I decided to come over and hassle your old man.” He smiled.

  “I heard that, Denny.” My dad smiled as they shook hands.

  I walked over and asked Amelia to come and meet Denny. “Denny, this is my friend, Amelia.”

  Denny looked her up and down and then smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amelia,” he said as he lightly kissed her hand.”

  “Thank you, Denny. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Don’t listen to them. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”<
br />
  Amelia and I both laughed at the same time. My mom announced that it was time for dinner, and she wanted everyone seated in the dining room. Denny took my arm and pulled me aside.

  “She’s stunning, son. She reminds me of your mother all those years ago. She’s a keeper and I have no doubt that she’s the one.”

  “I think it’s way too early for that, Uncle Denny.” I chuckled.

  “Funny, your father said the same thing.” He winked.

  I patted him on the back, and we all took our seats at the table. After we finished with dinner, we ate the great fruit flans my mom bought from the bakery, and then Amelia and I got up and sat down on the couch.

  “I hope you’re having a good time?”

  “I am. Your family is wonderful. You’re very lucky to have them in your life. Never once take them for granted,” she said with sadness.

  “I’m sorry, Amelia. This must be hard for you.”

  She turned towards me and placed her hand on mine. “It is a little bit because it makes me miss my own family. But it feels good to be a part of something, even if it is only for a couple of hours. “I’m curious to see your bedroom,” she said.

  I looked at her in confusion. “Really?”

  “Did you know that you can tell a lot about a person by the way their bedroom is decorated?”

  “No. I didn’t know that. But you’re more than welcome to analyze it if you want.” I smiled.

  She smiled back as we got up from the couch and I led her up to my bedroom. She opened the door, and when we stepped inside, she looked around. She walked over to my bed and ran her hand across the comforter. Then she walked over to the windows, looked out them, turned to my dresser, and then looked at the pictures hanging on my wall.

  “You are driven, and you enjoy the thrill of a chase. You know what you want, and you know how to get it. This room also tells me that you’re sensual and sexy. You love sex and you seek it out whenever you can.”

  “Now that is not true,” I interrupted. “Sex just happens to find me.” I smiled.

  She shot me a small smile and shook her head. “Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness: your craving for physical pleasure.