Heart of Curiosities (Curiosity Bay Series Book 1) by Karice Bolton

Author:Karice Bolton [Bolton, Karice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bulldog Press
Published: 2023-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

James

The softness of her lips made it hard to concentrate on much until I heard clapping above us. We parted, and I noticed her sister Emily grinning at us.

A little blush crawled up Amelia’s cheeks as we stepped back from each other, but I grabbed her hand and held it tight.

She squeezed it back.

“Lunch will be ready in about ten minutes,” she shouted down the hill.

“Thanks,” Amelia said, laughing.

“Anytime.” Her sister walked away, and I pulled Amelia back into my arms.

“You feel good,” I whispered, bringing my lips close to hers.

She nodded. “You do too. What does this mean?”

“It means I want to keep seeing you.”

“I want that too,” she whispered, glancing toward the water.

“But things with me will be complicated. They have to be with my son.”

She nodded and brought her eyes to mine. “I know we don’t know where this will go, but I haven’t dated anyone since my ex.”

The fear in her eyes pummeled through me. I couldn’t break this girl. She’d already been broken once.

“Same.” My jaw tensed thinking back to Henry’s mom. I didn’t want Henry to grow up like I did, skeptical of anything and everyone.

But Amelia had this innocence about her that drew me to her, and part of me wanted to believe that she was different. That she wouldn’t run like everyone always did.

“Should we go get lunch?” she asked.

I kept her hand in mine as we made our way up the wooden stairs. The sounds of laughter and children giggling floated through the air. More people had obviously showed up, and I realized I might be meeting all of her family.

Amelia reached the top step and gulped a squeak. I nearly bumped into her when I saw what made her stop in her tracks.

“Lucas,” I muttered under my breath.

“Emily and Elizabeth.” Amelia looked over her shoulder at me with wide eyes.

“Well, this lunch just got a whole lot more interesting.”

She laughed. “Maybe we can snatch Henry and flee.”

Lucas spotted us and grinned with a big wave, but I couldn’t muster a smile.

Not now.

Just when I thought I had a handle on things, Lucas and his past showed up to screw with my present. I could only imagine the drama that could overtake this family lunch.

“You okay?” Amelia asked.

“Yeah. Just hoping Lucas doesn’t mess up my chances with you,” I admitted.

“He can’t be that bad.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Depends on the day.”

“Hey, Mom.” Amelia walked over to her parents, and I stayed a couple of steps behind as Henry noticed me and darted toward me.

“Love your new friends?” I asked him.

“Yes. The best.” I lifted Henry into my arms and walked over to Amelia’s parents.

“Hey, sweetie. I’m so glad you invited James.” Her mom smiled at me and glanced at her husband.

“Mom, we’re just friends.” Her eyes stayed focused on her parents.

“Oh, of course.” Her dad nodded and reached out a hand.

“We haven’t had a formal introduction. I’m Theo. My wife’s name is Cynthia. It’s good to meet you, James.

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