Chapter 21

The car screeched to a loud halt at the parking lot of Amelia’s compound. The lights washed over the quiet space for a few seconds before the headlamps finally went off and the engine died down, leaving behind a thick, ringing silence.

“Finally,” Charles announced, stretching slightly in his seat.

Amelia laughed, loosening her seatbelt.

“Yes, we are home finally.”

He turned to her fully, his face lit with a smile that looked almost boyish in the dim glow from the dashboard.

“Was a good night out, right?”

She tilted her head away deliberately, pretending to think.

“Maybe.”

Charles chuckled.

“Oh come on, babes. Tell me, please,” he pleaded, drawing out the words dramatically.

She sighed, then gave in.

“Okay, yes. It was a good night out.”

His face lit up instantly.

“So… apology accepted?”

Amelia hesitated, her fingers tightening briefly around her purse. Then she nodded.

“Yes. Accepted.”

“Y