FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  “Hello,” she answered.

  “Hi, Amelia. It’s Ellery. Would you like to have a late lunch with me? Say around two thirty.”

  “Hi, Ellery. Sure, I would like that very much.”

  “Great. Let’s meet at Aureole’s. I’ll call and make reservations for us.”

  “I’ll see you then, Ellery.”

  “Bye, Amelia.”

  I went back to the pool and saw Julia and Brayden watching Collin do laps around the pool.

  “Are you finished swimming, Julia?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Brayden was turning into a prune. Where did you go?”

  “I had to make a phone call.” I smiled.

  “Please tell me you didn’t call Amelia.”

  “I did, and we’re meeting for lunch at two thirty. Don’t you mention this to your brother or your dad.”

  “I won’t. Good luck. But I don’t think you should get involved.”

  “Well, I don’t want my son hurting and I would do the same for you.” I smiled. “Let’s go get this little guy back in his clothes. Bye, Collin. I love you.”

  “Bye, Mom, Julia. I love you too.”

  * * *

  Amelia and I arrived at the restaurant at the same time.

  “Hi, sweetheart,” I said as I hugged her.

  “Hi, Ellery.”

  We walked in the restaurant and were promptly seated. I looked at Amelia and could see the sadness in her eyes.

  “How are you?” I asked.

  “Collin told you what happened?” she replied.

  “He did, after Connor and Jake found him completely inebriated and on the floor of his apartment. They brought him up to the penthouse to sleep it off.”

  She looked down as she played with her spoon. “He shouldn’t have drank like that.”

  “No, he shouldn’t have but he didn’t want to hurt anymore. I understand you being mad at him for not telling you about the house. I really do. Sometimes, people think they’re doing the right thing when they’re not. He should’ve talked to you about it first. Unfortunately he gets that from his dad. Well, and maybe me too.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I first met Connor, I kept a huge secret from him, and when he found out, he left me. Actually, he left me in Michigan, alone in a hotel room, and made me fly back to New York by myself.”

  “Wow. Seriously?”

  “Yes. But I hurt him on such a deep level that I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. What I did was unforgiveable. But Connor loved me so much that he eventually forgave me. My point is that people make mistakes.”

  “I know that, Ellery, but he can’t think he just buy my parent’s house because I needed the money. I felt like such a charity case and then for him not to tell me. That right there proves he knew what he was doing wasn’t right.”

  “Ah, I know the feeling. But you’re not a charity case. He wanted you to have that house to hold onto the memory of your family. He wanted to give you a piece of them. Don’t you think he would have just given you some money? He knew you needed it, but he didn’t offer to give you any while the house was up for sale, did he?”

  Amelia shook her head. “No, he didn’t.”

  “If you haven’t figured it out yet, my son is a very giving person. He’s the spitting image of his father.”

  “I noticed that.” She smiled.

  I took hold of her hand from across the table. “Running away doesn’t solve anything. Trust me. I’m not defending him, but I think you need to hear him out and he needs to hear you out. He loves you, Amelia. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

  “Thank you, Ellery.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie. You know I’ll always be here for you.”

  Chapter 35

  Collin

  The day seemed to drag on forever. I stared out the window of my office and thought about Amelia. She never responded to my text message from earlier. I really fucked things up and I missed her like crazy. My heart was hurting, and every time I thought about her, it broke just a little more. Since she was constantly on my mind, there wasn’t going to be a heart left in me at all. I needed to get out of New York for a couple of days, so I called the airlines, booked a flight to Chicago and went home and packed a bag for the weekend. I didn’t want to ask my dad to use the plane. It was less complicated just to book a commercial flight.

  I boarded the plane and took my seat in coach. I didn’t care because first class and business class were booked, and I just wanted to get on a plane out of New York. A few moments later, an older woman took the seat next to me.

  “Hello. My, you are a handsome young man.” She smiled.

  “Hi and thank you.” I smiled back and then turned my attention to the window. As I was watching some of the other planes take off, I heard a familiar voice.

  “Damn it. Why can’t I get this to fit up here?”

  I turned my head and saw Amelia trying to stuff her bag in the overhead compartment.

  “What the—” I said.

  She looked at me and shock overtook her face. “What are you doing here?” she asked with an attitude.

  “Flying to Chicago. What about you?”

  “Same.”

  I couldn’t fucking believe this. Amelia took her seat next to the lady who sat next to me and looked the opposite way. I stared out the window as the plane took off from the runway and into the sky. As soon as I could use my phone, I pulled it from my pocket and sent Amelia a text message.

  “Why are you going to Chicago?”

  I saw her look at her phone and then type a message back.

  “Why are you?”

  “Don’t answer a question with a question.”

  “I can do what I want.”

  “Answer my question.”

  “No.”

  “Damnit, Amelia,” I said as I looked over at her.

  “Don’t swear at me,” she growled.

  The poor lady who was sitting between us looked at us in confusion. “Would you like to switch seats?” she asked Amelia.

  “No.”

  Amelia looked over at me. “Why are you in coach anyway? Shouldn’t you be on your dad’s plane or at least in first class?”

  “First class was booked, and I didn’t ask to use the plane. I just wanted to get out of New York as soon as possible.”

  The lady next to me got up and went to the restroom. Amelia sat there looking straight ahead while I looked out the window. When she came back. She stood in the middle of the aisle.

  “Excuse me young lady but you need to move over because I’m having bathroom issues and it would be more convenient for me to sit on the end seat instead of having to climb over you.”

  Amelia looked at her and narrowed her eyes. She sighed as she moved to the seat next to mine.

  “Thank you, my dear,” the lady said.

  “I can’t believe you’re on this plane,” Amelia said through gritted teeth.

  “I can’t believe you are.”

  “Isn’t it funny how fate works?” The old lady smiled.

  Amelia put her earphones in, and I laid my head against the window and closed my eyes. Suddenly, the plane dropped and began shaking. Amelia grabbed my arm.

  “Put on your seatbelt,” I said to her.

  “I don’t want to let go,” she said with fear in her eyes.

  I reached over and buckled her seat belt and then mine. The captain came on and apologized and said that we were experiencing some turbulence and would be for a little while longer. It was a bit unsettling, but with the amount of flying I’d done, I was used to it. I wanted to bring her on my lap and hold her tight and tell her that everything was going to be okay. I looked over at the lady sitting next to Amelia and asked her if she was okay. She smiled and nodded her head. The turbulence had settled, and Amelia let go of my arm. She put her earphones back in and acted like nothing happened.

  “No, you don’t get to do that,” I said as I took her earphone out of her ear.

&n
bsp; “What the hell are you doing?” she snapped.

  “You don’t get to hold onto me for dear life because you’re scared and then ignore me. You know what? Forget I said anything. I’m sorry. You go on with your business and I’ll go on with mine.”

  “Oh no, mister. You started this and we’re going to talk about it.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Go back to listening to your music,” I snapped. “And for the record, I did nothing wrong but love you. Maybe more than I should have.”

  “You made me feel like a charity case.”

  “How did I do that?” I asked.

  “By buying my parent’s house because I needed the money. You couldn’t just let someone else buy it?”

  “I bought that house for us someday. I wanted you to hold onto something of them. Even though they didn’t have the house very long it meant something to them which means it meant something to you, and I couldn’t let that go. So, I’m sorry if you felt like a charity case because that wasn’t my intention. My intention was to keep a part of your family alive for you and the money was a bonus. Now, I’m done talking about this with you because you obviously can’t understand where I’m coming from,” I said as I turned and faced the window.

  “He bought you a house and you’re mad at him?” the lady asked.

  “It’s complicated,” Amelia said.

  “I see nothing complicated about a man who loves a woman enough to buy something that meant the world to her.”

  Go lady..go lady…go lady. I kept chanting to myself.

  The plane landed and Amelia and I grabbed our bags and exited the plane. We walked side by side through the airport.

  “Where are you staying?” I asked.

  “Holiday Inn Express,” she replied.

  “Oh. Why?”

  She let out a laugh. “Because it was cheap.”

  “Where are you staying: Waldorf Astoria?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Of course you are.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I would like it if you came with me.”

  It was a longshot asking her, but I took it anyway. I didn’t want her in this city alone. It wasn’t safe.

  “I’ve never been to the Waldorf Astoria before.”

  “There’s a first time for everything and I would love for your first time to be with me.” I smiled.

  She looked at me as tears formed in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Collin.”

  “Sorry?” I asked nervously.

  “I’m sorry for acting like such a bitch. I’m sorry for saying some awful things to you.”

  “I’m sorry for not telling you about the house when I bought it.”

  We reached the outside of the airport and my driver was standing outside the limo.

  “Good evening, Mr. Black. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Good evening, Tom. Thanks for picking me up.”

  “My pleasure, sir.”

  We climbed in the back of the limo and Tom shut the door.

  “Where to, Mr. Black.”

  I looked over at Amelia and she smiled at me. “We’re going to the Waldorf Astoria, Tom.”

  I smiled as I took my hand and lightly caressed her cheek before my lips fell upon hers.

  * * *

  After having the most mind-blowing makeup sex, Amelia and I laid back in the tub and turned on the jets. There was nothing like the feeling of her soft wet skin pressed against mine. I wrapped my arms around her as her back pressed into my chest and her perfect small ass fit nicely between my legs. She softly ran her finger up and down my arm as I held her against me.

  “Don’t you find it strange that we both decided to come to Chicago, and we were on the same flight?” she asked.

  “Yeah. But like the old lady said, ‘fate.’”

  “I had lunch with your mom.”

  “You did? Why?”

  “Because she called and asked me to. We had a nice little chat about you and how much you’re like your dad.”

  “Oh God. She keeps saying that.”

  “Your dad is an amazing man and you should be proud to be like him. Anyway, I wanted to get away for a couple days and get myself together before I called you and begged you to take me back.”

  “Amelia,” I whispered as I kissed her neck. “You won’t ever have to beg me.”

  “Your mom told me about your drinking binge last night.”

  “Of course she did,” I said as I nipped her neck.

  Amelia giggled. “Why did you come to Chicago?”

  “I was sitting in my office, looking out the window and thinking about you when I thought of our little chat about the Field Museum and T-Rex Sue. That’s when I decided, at the last minute, to hop on a plane and come to Chicago.”

  “So you were going to go to the Field Museum without me?”

  “Yeah. I guess I was.”

  “You beast! How dare you. You promised me we could go together.”

  “Amelia, are you going to tell me that you weren’t going to go there yourself?”

  “I would never!” she exclaimed.

  “Liar.” I smiled as I splashed her with water.

  She turned her body around, so she was facing me and wrapped her legs around my waist. “I love you so much. I was so stupid for getting mad at you about the house.”

  “It’s okay, baby, and I love you too.” I smiled as I pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “No, it’s not okay. You’re the most loving and generous man I’ve ever met, and you love me. How could I be mad at you for that? A part of me feels guilty about the house because my mom and dad should be the ones enjoying it, not me.”

  “Amelia, you need to stop with that. You survived. You need to accept that and try to live the rest of your life as full as possible, with me in it of course.” I winked.

  She placed her hands on each side of my face and rubbed her nose against mine. “I missed you last night and I don’t ever want to sleep apart again.”

  “I missed you too and trust me, we won’t. We need to make a promise to each other right now that we’ll never ever go to bed angry. If we get into an argument or a fight, then we need to work it out first. Deal?” I asked.

  “Deal.” She smiled as she kissed my lips.

  Chapter 36

  Amelia and I had the best time in Chicago. We visited Fields Museum, and we had someone take a beautiful picture of us in front of T-Rex Sue. I took her to my mom and dad’s art gallery, showed her Black Enterprises and introduced her to Mac.

  “Mac, what are you doing here? It’s Saturday.

  “Hey, Collin. I was just about to ask you the same thing. Why the hell are you in Chicago?”

  “Mac, this is my girlfriend, Amelia. Amelia, this is Mackenzie. She runs this office for us.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Amelia.” She smiled. “I was just catching up on some work. I’m going on vacation next week.”

  “Ah, nice. Are you going with anyone I know?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Carla and I are going to the Bahamas.”

  I looked at her with a twisted face. “Carla as in Carla from design?”

  “The one and only.” Mac smiled.

  “I didn’t know she was—”

  “Yeah well, she hasn’t really told anyone yet. So, let’s keep our little vacation under wraps.”

  “Ah. Okay. My lips are sealed.

  “Anyway, it was great seeing you, sweetheart,” she said as she kissed my cheek. “And it was great to meet you Amelia. You’ve changed my boy here. I can tell already.”

  “Have a great trip,” I said as we headed down the hall.

  “She seems really nice,” Amelia said.

  “She is. She’s one of the best in the company.”

  We went to dinner that night and as soon as we got back to the hotel, I ordered a bottle of champagne and we drank it and had sex all night long.

  * * *

  My dad sent the plane to Chicago for us and we went back to New York. Amelia�
��s break was over, and she went back to her classes and clinicals tomorrow. As soon as we got home, my mom and dad came down to see us.

  “I’m really happy the two of you worked things out,” my dad said.

  “Me too, Dad. Me too.”

  “How weird was it that you were both going to Chicago at the same time and on the same flight. The universe works in mysterious ways. I’ve learned that over the years. By the way, I’m starting to interview people tomorrow for Diana’s position and I want you to sit in on them.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re a great judge of character and I want your opinion.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ll be there early tomorrow right after I drop Amelia off at the hospital.”

  “Ellery, are you ready to go home? I believe you have a promise to keep.” He smiled.

  She looked at him and bit down on her bottom lip. “You’re right, sexy, I do. I hope you can handle me.”

  “That’s it! Out. You two can take your little talk out of my apartment. I don’t want to hear about you two handling each other.”

  My parents both laughed and kissed me and Amelia goodbye. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “I absolutely love your parents.” She smiled as she put her arm around me.

  “As crazy as they are, I do too.”

  * * *

  My mom and dad threw a going away party for Diana at the Waldorf Astoria. The entire company was invited, and I think just about everyone showed. They were all a bunch of suck ups to my dad, so it didn’t surprise me. We mixed and mingled, and I could tell Diana was a little upset.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as I walked up to her.

  “It’s nothing. I’m just going to miss you all. It’s a little scary starting somewhere new.”

  I put my arm around and gave her a light squeeze. “I know but think of how much better you and Jacob will be. And it’s not like you won’t know anyone there. You have Mason and Landon.”