“Amelia, you’re driving us crazy here. Can you say more than just one sentence at a time?” Miranda exhales in frustration.

“She. Was. Stunning. I can’t compete with that. What she called a bra I could maybe cover one nipple with. And she was sweet and funny and seemed to be a nice person. He should be with someone like her.”

They all stare at me and say nothing.

“Amelia,” Fi sighs and pulls me into an embrace. “My brother loves you. I think he’s always loved you which is why he never had any serious relationships after you ended it. He’s sitting broken in his house because he’s worried he’s losing you again. You’re who he wants.”

“Now, maybe. But—”

“No, no. Tell me honestly, when you look into his eyes and he tells you he loves you what do you see?”

“He means it,” I sniffle.

“You are his beaver,” Fi says making Bri snort.

“I beg your pardon?” I can feel the first waves of laughter bubble up inside me.

“Beavers find each other and stay together forever,” she explains.

“Oh, thank fuck that’s what you meant because I love you all but I don’t want to talk about your beavers,” Bri laughs which makes me and Miranda burst out in giggles as well.

“Oh my god, no, no, that’s not what I meant! Robbie made me watch a documentary about beavers yesterday and it was about how they mate for life,” Fi explains with a red face.

“I know I sound crazy. He’s been amazing ever since he came back into my life. But it’s just, when I saw her, I just―if I were him, I would go for her.”

“Let me ask you something. If one of the Hemsworth brothers knocked on your door and offered to shag you all over the house, would you drop Ben?” Miranda asks.

“No!” I protest.

“See,” Bri grins.

“But Ben is hot. And funny, and smart and kind and …”

“Great in bed?” Lizzie chuckles.

“No bedroom talk, that’s my little brother,” Fi protests.

“Why can’t you believe he thinks the same about you?” Lizzie asks with a serious face.

“Because… because—”

“Amelia, when will you see yourself the way the world sees you? Do you look like a Victoria’s Secret model? No, but who the fuck does? That man loves you, warts and all,” Miranda gives me a tight hug. “I’ve known Ben for a long time now and I’ve never seen him so happy, content and relaxed as when he has you in his arms. Don’t throw it away because of your insecurities.”

I can’t hold back my tears and I see Fi tear up as well.

“Let’s make a deal,” Lizzie suggests, “Whenever self-doubt kicks in you call us and we’ll tell you how amazing you are.”

“Thank you,” I cry and I see Lizzie sniffle.

“Now we’ve sorted this problem and before you actually make me cry, ME, the ice queen as my ex so lovingly calls me, let’s talk about something else. So what kinks is Ben into?” Bri grins making me and Miranda laugh through our tears and Fi protest again.

“How can I make it up to Ben?” I ask them.

“Babes, no need for that. He'll drop anything to be with you in a second," Miranda laughs. Maybe she's got a point but it doesn’t cut it for me. He deserves an apology. He deserves to be shown that I understand he wants me. And he deserves me to show him how much I trust him. This whole thing was never about doubting him but about me not trusting that I'm good enough. Ben deserves a grand gesture.

28

Beautiful Things

Ben

This is probably the hundredth time I’ve checked my phone today. No message from Amelia.

Coop is right though. I need to fight for her.

The light at the entrance comes on as I push the key to the front door into the lock and turn it. The minute I open the door a black shadow races towards me making little purring noises.

“What are you doing here?” I bend over and scratch between his ears. Furball rubs up against me and makes meows. My heart starts beating faster. If the cat is here Amelia must be here.

“Amelia?” I call out. But there’s no answer. I flick the light switch in the hallway and see her coat on the hook next to the door. She’s definitely here. The kitchen and living room are dark.

“Amelia?” I call again as I take two stairs at a time to the first floor. “Amel—” I swallow hard when I take in the scene I find in my bedroom.

Amelia is lying on her side in sexy as fuck, purple underwear. Her blond locks are tied back by a purple scarf, spilling gracefully over her shoulders. Dozens of LED candles are spread throughout the bedroom dousing the room in flickering golden light. Images from the concert flash through my memory.

“Hi, Amelia,” I say as I lean against the door frame, hands crossed in front of me.

“Sir,” she says in a deep voice that isn’t hers. I assume she’s trying to sound sexy. I rub my hand over my mouth to try to hide my grin. I love this woman.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m…” She reaches behind her and fiddles with her knickers in a less than sexy way. More like someone who is trying to pull their underpants from between their arse cheeks. “I’m here to seduce you. As an apology,” she whispers and sits up.

“Apology?” I stay at the door mainly to keep distance between us because I want nothing more than to pull her in my arms, but this is her moment.

“Yes, Ben, I’m sorry.” She climbs off the bed and crosses the distance between us barefoot. “I… I was an idiot. I… You said you loved me and I wanted to believe it, but I… And then Gina; and in my mind all my craziness took over and it was just a lot easier to count my losses than risk trusting you,” she sniffles.

“Why didn’t you talk to me?” I lean my forehead against hers and stroke her arms.

“Because I’m an idiot,” she groans.

“Hey, don’t talk about my girlfriend like that,” I chuckle, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“I’m still… you forgive me?” Her hands slide around my waist.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I shake my head. And I mean it. She found her way back to me. That’s all I care about. “What now?”

“Now I’m taking this shit off because it is the most uncomfortable underwear I’ve ever worn,” she groans before unhooking her bra and pushing her knickers over her hips. “I’m sorry, this was supposed to be sexy and sensual and all but I’m clearly not woman enough for that.”