“The Remains of Summer) Chapter 21
Liam’s reassurances helped Amelia shift her focus.
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She had a more pressing issue. Liam, fueled by alcohol, had finally crossed
the line, confessing his feelings, kissing her.
She’d been too drunk to resist.
They’d slept together.
Amelia had tried to pretend nothing had changed, but Liam, acting like a
lovesick teenager, had insisted she take responsibility.
Looking at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and adoration,
she’d relented.
Now, tracing the love bites on her arm, she wondered what she’d gotten
herself into.
Liam’s arms tightened around her, his voice a low rumble against her
ear.“Go back to sleep.”
For the next few days, Amelia barely touched the ground. Liam carried her
everywhere. Their newfound intimacy revealed a different side of him.
When Amelia’s period cramps had her doubled over in pain, Liam had held
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her, spoon–feeding her ginger tea, massaging her abdomen, his hand a constant,
comforting presence even as he worked from home.
She drifted in and out of sleep, murmuring, “I feel better now. You should go
to work…” Liam’s family was relocating their business to New Zealand, and he
should have been at the office.
He chuckled, kissing her forehead.“It’s fine. If my company can’t function
without me for a few days, they can all find new jobs.”
“Besides, you’re more important.”
Once Amelia had fully recovered, Liam took her on a camping trip to
Clifton Glamping in Hawke’s Bay. They sipped local wine, watching the sunset
over the ocean from a hilltop hammock.
Slightly tipsy, Amelia had begged him to pick a star from the sky for her.
Liam laughed, holding her tighter, kissing her forehead.“Okay, sweetheart.
Go to sleep. I’ll pick you a star tomorrow.”
When Amelia woke
up,
voice low.
she was in a campervan. Liam was on the phone, his
He saw her stir and kissed her hand. “Good morning. Ready to pick your star?”
Amelia, her memory hazy after the wine, looked at him blankly. “What star?”
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Liam grinned, hanging up.“You’ll see.”
He’d already called a jeweler friend, arranging for a selection of
star–themed jewelry.
At the jeweler’s house, they were greeted warmly and offered tea and pastries. Then, the jeweler presented several velvet boxes.
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Each contained a dazzling array of gemstones, sparkling in the light. Amelia
had seen her share of jewelry, but nothing like this.
Liam simply watched her, a smile in his eyes.
Amelia, hoping for guidance, found herself overwhelmed by the choices. Finally, she pointed to a set of sapphire jewelry.
The necklace was a cascade of deep blue stars, culminating in a delicate
platinum flower pendant, each petal studded with tiny sapphires.
Liam raised an eyebrow, taking the necklace out and fastening it around her neck, his eyes widening slightly.“It suits you.”
