“Why did you and Cam break up?”
I exhale a stream of air. “We were never really public. At first, I was worried that people wouldn’t understand because it was soon after Bryce had passed away, and then I guess Cam grew to prefer his two lives—the one with those who were here today and the one with me. He never crossed the two.” I fear my attempt in expressing a don’t-care attitude will only reveal how badly it hurt. “One day, I just snapped. There was no particular reason, except that I was sick of being some damn hideaway. I changed my locks since he had a key, and I also changed my phone number. He gave up after a short time, like I knew he would.”
“Did you love him?” His voice cracks.
I’ve dealt with these issues, and although it feels good to be out in the open with Todd, it never feels good to relive those moments.
Hi, I’m Amelia. The man who I thought was the love of my life died in a stripper’s lap from a heart condition he didn’t know he had, and I fell in love with his best friend.
Embarrassingly, it took me entirely too long to realize that Cam was just slumming it with me with no intention of having a serious relationship.
“No, I don’t think I truly did.”
A small smile crosses Todd’s lips before he hides it. “It’s over. Like I said, we’re dicks.”
“I don’t think you are.” I scoot closer and cuddle into the heat of his sheltering arms.
It takes a minute before he rests his hand on my shoulder, securing me to him.
“You have no idea,” he says.
My head rises and falls with his shallow breaths.
We sit on the park bench and watch people pass by. Some are rambling on their cell phones, and others are lost in their phones with their heads down. After the worst day, it’s ending better.
How did Todd and I go from neighbors to close friends in only a matter of months?
I try hard not to think about it, and instead, I cherish the serenity I feel with him. We sit for a few minutes then I remember where Todd needs to be. This friendship we’re developing goes both ways.
I stand and hold my hand out. He looks at it, but doesn’t get up.
“Come on. We need to go to Jim’s.”
A slow grin breaks his lips and he accepts my hand.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Amelia
The next evening, Davis parks at Coney Island. First, he runs through everything for his show. I watch him talking to the organizer. She’s an attractive woman, who is clearly loving this part of her job. Her hand continues to touch his forearm, and a giddy laugh escapes her lips nearly every minute. Finally, he finishes and walks over to me, and the lady’s eyes appraise me up and down. I focus on Davis’s lit-up face coming right toward me. Sorry, but he’s mine. At least for tonight.
He buys two tickets, and we wait in line. Our bucket comes down, and Davis waits for me to sit first before he follows. He rests his arm around my shoulders, and I sink into the comfort of him.
“What an amazing view,” I say.
Davis mumbles an agreement as the sun dips down past the ocean. “I’ve been on this Ferris wheel plenty of times in my life, but it’s never been as beautiful as it is tonight.”
“It’s the sunset.”
“It’s you.” He pushes my shoulder and pulls me toward him. His lips brush the top of my head.
I don’t respond, but I’m sure he can see how his words affect me by the redness filling my cheeks.
“Amelia,” he whispers.
I turn.
“Before we go on, there’s something I need to tell you.” His eyes don’t reflect the desire I thought I would find, but rather, there’s a painful expression.
My body instinctively scoots away, but he tightens his hold on my shoulder. Part of me doesn’t want to know.
Does he not want to continue this? Does he have a wife? Does he want to keep me holed up like Cam did? Relax, Amelia.
Too many questions arise, and I instantly know I need to find out. “What?”
“That wasn’t Cam’s fiancée yesterday. It’s his sister.”
“Oh. I assumed it was his fiancée, but it doesn’t really matter. It might have taken me a while to get over him, but I am now.” I swivel around and place my hand on his cheek. “Thank you for telling me, though.”
“I want to know you’re with me because you don’t want to be anywhere else.”
No one has ever wanted that from me. I crash my lips to his to prove how much I want to be with him. He grabs my hips and brings me toward him. I thrust my tongue into his mouth, and I’m rewarded with a groan. His hands run up my back until he has fistfuls of my hair. He manipulates my head exactly where he wants it, and his lips devour my neck.
By the time we reach the bottom, I’m practically straddling Davis while his hands are mere inches from my breasts.
“Crap.” I hop off him and sit back on the bench.
He chuckles. “I almost forgot about the bumper boats.”
“I think I’m already wet enough,” I tease.
Instead of earning a laugh from Davis, a painful groan escapes his mouth, and he shifts in the seat.
“Why, Mr. Morgan, I’m liking the effect I have on you.” I give him one more kiss before the guy opens our door.
“Me, too, Miss Fiore.” He steps out of the compartment and holds his hand out for me.
Davis buys us burgers and fries along with ice cream cones. We forgo the bumper boats, as it’s gotten colder since the sun went down. We stroll hand in hand along the boardwalk and back to the parking garage.
A looming feeling comes over me. I don’t want to say goodnight to Davis. It’s the first time in a long time that I wish the night would never end. I wish we were going to the same apartment to wake up in each other’s arms tomorrow morning.
Davis double-parks outside my apartment building. He puts his hazard lights on and escorts me to the door. “I had a great time.” He rests his forehead against mine.
“Me, too. Do you want to come up?” I bite my lip as the fear of rejection roars its ugly head.
“I wish, but I have to be back at Coney Island early tomorrow. Next time?” His fingers gently skim along my shoulder.
“De-definitely,” I stutter.
He bends down, and his lips softly touch mine. The kiss is sweet and gentle, and Davis stops it before it gets out of hand.
“Thank you for everything,” I say.
“You’re very welcome. Goodnight, Amelia.” He kisses my forehead and steps back to his car.
I lean against the door and watch him slide into the driver’s seat.
He inches forward and rolls down the passenger window. “Go in. I want to make sure you’re safe.”
I laugh and give him a wave. A warmth spreads through my body while I venture into my condo building.
I walk to my door with a goofy smile stuck on my face.
My footsteps stop when I find Todd sitting on the ground outside my door. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.” He stands.
Why wouldn’t he wait in his own apartment?
I spot a crumbled piece of paper in his hands.
“Oh, shit!” I cover my mouth. “I left my phone at the restaurant. I’m sorry. I was out with Davis.”
“I figured.” He rolls his eyes.
“What’s up with you today?” I insert my key into the lock.
“Noodle.” He waits for my undivided attention.
I open my door and hold it for him to follow.
“I’m sorry. Here.” He shoves a page from some local magazine into my hand.
There’s a picture of Davis with his arms around a news anchor lady, Annabelle Rhys, from channel five. The headline reads, A Match Made in Brooklyn.
The keys drop from my hand, and my stomach clenches with a sharp pain. I look up at a sympathetic Todd.
He grabs me hard and yanks me to his chest. “He’s a prick. If he doesn’t know how good he has it with you, then he doesn’t deserve you in his life.”
Tears escape my eyes, no matter how hard I try to push them back. I guess I didn’t realize how much I liked Davis until finding out that, once again, I’m the second choice. This time, to another woman.