“Really?” she says as she plays with the top button of my Henley shirt. “So, what’s the reason for this?” She taps at the deep set wrinkle between my brows.
I let out a breath. “Just thinking about how I don’t deserve you, that’s all.” I shrug. At least it’s a half truth.
“Woah, where did that come from?” She leans back to study me.
“Sorry, just got a lot going on in my head, not trying to kill the holiday mood.”
“Hmm. Self-sabotage. Another toxic trait I’m far too acquainted with myself.” She nods and looks at me as though she’s analyzing me.
Suddenly, mischief is written all over her face. “You know. You never asked me what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving.” She pouts.
I’ll bite. “Alright then, what are you thankful for this year, Amelia?”
She smiles, “Well as you know, I’ve had a shit year. But even so, I’m thankful for my dad and brother, even though they drive me insane for different reasons—”
“Pink Speedo?” I Interrupt.
“Never speak of the pink Speedo again! I’ll have to double my therapist’s hourly rate!” She laughs. “I’m thankful for Nikki, the cousin crew, this crazy storm called Anna, and …”
“And …” I smirk.
She starts shifting her weight off of me, and I think she’s going to straddle me again, but just ends up hovering over me, causing me to lean on the back legs of my chair. “And I’m thankful to be spending the weekend with my first crush, who if I’m not mistaken, promised to be the only man I should be worried about chasing after me ...”
She shoots up and gives my chair a hard nudge, sending me flying back towards the ground while I hear her laughing maniacally, running towards the living room.
She’s going to pay for this.
I’m on my feet immediately, wondering how she got the jump on me. Clearly, I need to watch myself more carefully around Amelia. I never know what to expect from her.
As soon as she sees me darting towards the living room she lets out a yelp and books it to the hallway leading to our bedrooms. Now she’s in danger.
I quickly make up the distance between us just as she’s about to dart into her room. I’m able to hook an arm around her middle, and haul her into my bedroom as she has trouble catching her breath due to her incessant laughter.
“Put me down! It was a complete accident, I swear!” She kicks the air as she struggles to get loose from my tight hold on her.
“Sorry sweetheart, you’re in the lion’s den now,” I whisper into her ear.
And with that, she stops struggling.
27
Amelia
I’m still catchingmy breath as I take inventory of the situation.
I’m in Evan’s bedroom
He has me pinned to his body.
We’ve been teasing each other all day, to the point where I’m glad you can’t see lady boners.
It’s finally happening.
“It’s not happening, Amelia. So you can relax,” Evan says as he gently places me on the ground.
“Umm, what are you talking about?” I say as I right all my clothing.
“I know how your mind works. Next you were probably going to offer me a sex pact. I have to draw the line somewhere.” He places his hands on his hips, making him look like a sexually frustrated Superman.
