Just a Number(114)

Amelia tenses beside me, but before she can unleash her rage, I step between them. “Enough, Gretchen,” I bark. “What goes on in my life now is absolutely none of your damn business.”

Ignoring Amelia, Gretchen smirks menacingly. “Isn’t it? I think the courts will be interested to hear what you’ve been up to.”

“Good luck with that,” I retort. “Nothing happened until after we were separated. And I think you already know that.”

Her nostrils flare with unbridled anger. “We’ll see about that,” she says through gritted teeth, and then turns and storms off in the opposite direction.

Next to me, Amelia releases a breath of relief, but I can still see the worry in her eyes. “Are you sure this won’t negatively impact your divorce?” she asks.

I glance down at her. “Do you regret her finding out?”

Amelia shakes her head. “Only how she found out. I wanted a little control over that meeting even more than I wanted when we told Dad.”

Nodding my understanding, I lead her back on the path to my car. “Me too,” I assure her. “But I must admit it’s kind of a relief to be completely open about our relationship now.”

“That’s very true,” Amelia agrees, and then falls silent for a second, her eyes giving away her awakened worry. “Now we just have to see what Dad has to say.”

I help Amelia into the car, and then circle around to the driver’s side. With only two hours until Alan is expected to arrive at my apartment, I understand it’s time to get a move on if we’re going to have dinner ready and prepare ourselves mentally for his visit. We’re still unsure what it is he has to say, and I worry that he still hasn’t forgiven me. Repairing his relationship with Amelia will be easy and natural, but he will have issues with ours. There are no blood ties to guarantee we’ll walk away from this entire situation unscathed.

“Can we stop by my place quickly?” she asks as we pull onto the street. I glance over at her and find her smiling adorably, her cheeks blushing. “I would just like to pick up some clothes so I’m not forced to eat dinner in my jacket.”

When we arrive at Amelia’s apartment, I wait by the door while she packs a few things. “So, Liz is having her birthday party on Friday night,” Amelia says as she rifles through her dresser and closet.

“Oh yeah?”

“Uh huh. She told me to invite you…I wasn’t sure if you’d want to hang around with a bunch of twenty-somethings, but I would love it if you’d come and meet my friends.”

The idea is both appealing and terrifying. I am twice their age; what could I possibly have in common with a bunch of twenty-year-olds? And going to a nightclub just sounds exhausting.

“What do you think?”

I think back to my schedule for that day and remember a few appointments I have lined up for that weekend. “Can I keep you posted?” I inquire. “I’m just not certain what my schedule will be.”

Amelia smiles. “Sounds good,” she exclaims before grabbing a few more things from her dresser.

The longer she takes, going back and forth between her room and the bathroom, the more I realize that this particular routine could be phased out. Are we ready for that? It’s not like we spend much time apart most days, so maybe this is a good idea. I won’t ask her to live with me; we could start small. With a toothbrush and a change of clothes.

Amelia emerges with her duffle bag slung over her shoulder. I take it from her, noting the weight of it, and smile. “You know, this is starting to become habit,” I quip.

She looks up at me, confused. “Oh?”

I smirk. “Always having to stop by your place or mine before spending the night at the other’s… Seems kind of tedious, don’t you think?”

“Not if we want fresh breath and clothes that aren’t wrinkled.”

Her innocence amuses me. “True,” I reply. “Which is why I was going to suggest you maybe leaving a few things at my apartment.” Her eyes widen, and her mouth opens slightly. I can almost feel the panic rolling off her, so I rush to elaborate. “I’m not talking much. Perhaps a toothbrush and a few items of clothing.”

Her stunned expression turns to joy as she lunges for me, wrapping her arms around my neck and setting us both slightly off balance. The door saves us from toppling over, and we both laugh.

“So, is that a yes?”

“Absolutely!” she exclaims, kissing me firmly before sliding back to the floor.

I breathe a sigh of relief and open the door. “Then, shall we?”

With an added bounce in her step, Amelia walks out into the hall, and we head to my place, ready to face whatever Alan throws our way.