His gaze stops on me, a big hand moving to his sternum as I take a small step forward.
He feels it too—that warmth spreading inside.
It’s been three years. Three years since I saw that smile that makes my heart beat faster.
There’s something about the way his dimples pop on his more mature face that weakens my knees. My fluffy slippers scuff against the shiny floor as I take another step, trying not to collapse.
“Ambrose.” His name comes out in a pant, my heart ready to explode.
Closing the distance between us, Ambrose rushes to me, arms closing around my waist, one moving to my hair. He swamps my smaller, much shorter body as he lifts me into thebest hug. His fingers weave, and he inhales the freshly washed scent of roses and chocolate.
His legs weaken, taking us both to the floor as mine wrap around him.
His perfect image, already blurred from the tears dropping down my face, and I think, his.
Needing to say something, I ask, “Is your knee okay?”
He nods against me, and his lips meet my blonde hair. Three soft kisses land amongst my waves.
Dad appears in the foyer, the word “Surprise!” echoing throughout the house before he spots us together on the floor.
And yeah, he looks surprised, with his mouth hanging open the way it is.
“Okay, break it up, you two.” He drops a duffel bag full of Ambrose’s things in the foyer.
Ambrose flinches at the sound, knowing his stuff is right by where everyone leaves their shoes.
“Save some hugs for your mother. She’s really excited to see you.”
Ignoring Dad, I whisper, “No one told me you were coming, but I figured it out.”
Dad overhears.
“You did?” And again, he’s the one surprised.
Ambrose coming home was meant to be a secret, but little whispers I’d caught from one parent to another today gave it all away.
Mom’s footsteps sound behind me before I can answer, and I catch her in my peripheral vision as a droplet of rain from Ambrose’s hair sneaks into the back of my floral dress. I shiver against him.
Enjoying the feel of his hands swallowing up my back, I don’t pull away until he does. It’s only a few inches while he smiles up at Mom, but I feel lonelier already.
My fingers move on his black T-shirt, and I crease the material.
Knowing me so well, his hands move on my back, and his mouth silently whispers,You okay?
My head bobs quickly.
Ambrose’s eyes glitter, gaze on me as he takes in the years that have passed between us, and I do the same.
I missed you,he mouths, hands still on me, holding tight.
“We’ve all missed you, too, my darling.” Mom steps into our space. “Are you hungry? We’re having a pizza night.”
With bigger hands than I remember, Ambrose guides me up from his lap first, then stands to his full height. Like no time has passed at all, he guides me to his side, arm locking around me as Mom and Dad near us from two separate directions.
“Why don't you go introduce your brother to your new boyfriend?” Ambrose’s grip on me turns rigid at Dad’s words.
The difference in touch lasts only a second before his hands drift away completely, and he leaves me with a look that causes pain in my chest.
