Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,90

beginning of the summer she didn’t want anything more. Apparently, she’s sticking to her guns.

What’s she thinking? Feeling? And then, before I can ask, she stands on tiptoes, gives me a kiss on the cheek, then lowers with a, “Thanks for the memories.” The only thing missing is a buddy punch on the shoulder. Which is funny as I feel like I’ve just been sucker-punched.

“Look—if you’re ever in the city, you can find me—”

She cuts me off, putting her fingers to my lips. “Why don’t we leave it up to fate?”

“Right. Fate.”

“And hey, who knows where we’ll both be a year from now, but maybe—if it’s meant to be—we’ll cross paths next summer,” she says, her eyes shining with what I think is hope.

I don’t have the heart to tell her I won’t be here. This was a one-off summer, and as soon as my real estate agent can get out here, the house will be advertised for vacation rentals. I suppose she’ll know soon enough.

“Maybe.”

She lifts onto her toes and swipes my mouth with hers. It’s her farewell. It’s the barest whisper that says so much, and at the same time, it’s not enough.

Without hesitation, I sweep Amelia into my arms, my mouth capturing hers in a kiss so desperate that I can hardly breathe when she retreats.

“Couldn’t help yourself, could you?” she teases, and though my heart’s crushed, I grin down at her.

“Never could with you. Plus, I needed one more for the road.”

Green eyes gaze up at me, the early morning sunlight reflecting in them. “Drive safely, Knox.”

I nod. “Will do. You take care of yourself, Melia.”

“You do the same.”

I start to turn towards my car. Then her voice calling my name stops me.

“Thanks. For everything. I won’t ever forget you.”

I shove my hands into my pockets and try to think of what to say. In this moment—this last, final moment—I feel like a little kid on the playground, kicking dirt and unsure of how to tell his crush how he really feels. Problem is, even if I wanted to, it’s too late for that.

So I do what any dumbass in my situation would do. I answer with a wink and reply, “Then mission accomplished, babe.”

Her cheeks flush pink, a cruel reminder of all those times she got hot and bothered beneath me. “You’re such an ass.”

“You love it.”

Amelia’s eyes dart up into mine, and I inwardly beg her to give me a sign. Anything.

“You wish,” she says.

There’s my answer.

This is it.

The culmination of our summer is awkward banter and a bitter goodbye.

“You better get going. Your family is waiting.”

With one last glance and without waiting for a response, Amelia walks away from me. The thought that this might be the last time I see her hits me like a shot through my heart. If she’d given me one smidge of indication she wanted more, I’d take her with me. But as I watch after her and wait, she never looks back.

So I leave, the whole time misery weighing me down at the thought of just how much I’m leaving behind.

It isn’t until I’m halfway to Nashville that I realize the bitter truth.

Amelia never offered me her last name.

DON’T FALL FOR ME, AMELIA. I don’t have time for it. I only have time for sex.

Well, Fate, you’re a cruel and funny bitch, all right.

He told me not to fall in love. He warned me from the very beginning. I was stupid enough not to listen.

Knox left. Without a second glance back. He hadn’t lied to me. He’d been honest from the very beginning.

So why am I left here alone, brokenhearted, and with no idea what to do with my future?

I’m lying to myself. Knox didn’t leave because he wanted to. He had to. And his tight bond with this family is part of why I like him so much.

Truth is I only have myself to blame. I’m the one who turned around. I’m the one who walked away. I’m the one who didn’t look back, because I knew if I did, I’d either run to him and beg him to stay or be grief-stricken to find him already gone.

Considering I’m still heartbroken, I probably should’ve taken one last look at him, just to know if he felt half as much pain as I did in that moment. As I still feel now.

I pause on the porch, listening as Knox’s car engine fires up. The sound of him backing out and disappearing down the lane that will take