Chapter 5 Second Meeting
Amelia stared at the screen for several long seconds, her eyes scanning the message again and again as if the words might rearrange themselves into something less unsettling.
Then, without saying anything, she handed the phone over to Mira.
Mira grabbed it dramatically, already leaning forward on the bed with too much curiosity in her expression to pretend she didn’t care.
She cleared her throat like she was about to announce exam results and read the message slowly, exaggerating every word.
“Amelia, Nathan has requested a proper meeting. Please attend tomorrow.” She paused and swallowed hard, “Dr. Grant.”
For a split second, there was silence.
Then Mira’s scream practically shook the walls.
“He asked to meet you again!” she yelled, bouncing on the mattress like she’d just won the lottery. “Do you see this? Do you actually see this? He’s nice. And decent. And responsible!”
Amelia fell backward onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling like it had personally betrayed her.
“I’m going to kill him,” she muttered flatly.
Mira laughed, flopping down beside her. “He’s trying.”
“Yes,” Amelia shot back, turning her head slightly. “He’s trying to get me pissed.”
“He’s trying to get you involved,” Mira corrected, nudging her shoulder. “So you’d see the bright side of being paired up with him.”
“There’s a difference,” Amelia insisted.
Mira rolled onto her side and handed the phone back, then propped her head up with her hand so she could study Amelia’s face more closely.
“Look,” she said more gently this time. “You don’t have to like him. Nobody is forcing you to suddenly become Mrs. Nathan Miller. But this? This could be good for you.”
Amelia let her gaze drift back to the ceiling, watching the slow spin of the fan as if it held the answers to her problems.
“Or,” Mira added with a mischievous grin, poking her lightly in the ribs, “it could be the start of the best slow-burn romance I’ve ever witnessed.”
Amelia groaned loudly and threw her arm over her face. “If I survive this semester, it’ll be a miracle.”
Mira sat up straighter, smiling wickedly. “Don’t worry. I’ll plan the funeral. I’ll even cry convincingly.”
Amelia lowered her arm just enough to glare at her.
Mira’s teasing expression softened slightly as she studied her more carefully. “You used to like him.”
Amelia’s jaw tightened instantly. “I used to admire him.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“No. It’s not.” Amelia pushed herself up to sit, her tone firm now. “Admiring someone’s skills and actually liking them are two very different things.”
Mira tilted her head. “Are they?”
“Yes,” Amelia replied quickly, then looked away, her voice lowering. “Maybe I just see things better now.”
Mira’s expression softened further. “Amelia…”
“I mean it,” Amelia continued, sitting straighter as if building a defense. “He’s surrounded by girls all the time. He enjoys the attention. He thrives on it. That’s not someone I want to work with.”
“Or fall for,” Mira added gently, not missing a beat.
Amelia didn’t respond.
Instead, she looked down at her hands resting in her lap, her fingers twisting together unconsciously.
“This,” she muttered under her breath, “is going to ruin my life.”
Mira grinned, clearly unconvinced. “Or change it. Sometimes those are the same thing. Just look at the bright side.”
Amelia didn’t answer.
But her heart was beating just a little faster than it should have.
The next morning, Amelia stood in front of the mirror with far more composure than she actually felt.
She adjusted her glasses carefully and smoothed down her fitted navy sweater, checking that it sat properly against her frame. Her hair was tied back neatly, not a strand out of place. She looked organized and ready to go.
She did not look like someone about to meet the campus golden boy for a “proper meeting.”
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Unknown number: Be at the Café. Don’t be late, Hartley.
She stared at the message for five seconds before rolling her eyes. “Of course,” she muttered. “The audacity.”
Behind her, Mira shifted in her bed and squinted at the clock through sleepy eyes. “Do you even have a class this early?”
“No.”
Mira pushed herself up onto her elbows. “So why are you dressed like you’re going to a board meeting at seven in the morning?”
Amelia grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Because the devil wants to meet this morning.”
Mira sat up immediately, fully awake now. “Nathan?”
“Who else?”
Mira gasped dramatically. “That’s so responsible of him.”
“It’s suspicious,” Amelia corrected.
Mira swung her legs off the bed and padded toward her. “Wait. Is this at the café?”
“Yes.”
“The one near the arena?”
“Yes.”
Mira’s grin widened slowly. “Ooooh.”
Amelia gave her a warning look.
“What?” Mira said innocently. “I’m just saying. It’s neutral territory. You'll have coffee together while looking at the morning sun. That’s practically romantic.”
“There is nothing romantic about it,” Amelia replied firmly.
Mira studied her carefully. “Do you want me to come?”
Amelia hesitated for a second.
“For emotional support,” Mira added quickly. “I can sit far away. Pretend to study. I’ll glare at him if necessary.”
Amelia forced a small smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Mira tilted her head. “You keep saying that like you’re trying to convince yourself.”
Amelia picked up her bag and headed toward the door. “I am fine.”
Mira followed her halfway. “Okay. But if he makes you cry, I’m keying his car.”
“You don’t even know what he drives.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
Amelia smiled faintly. “I’ll text you.”
“You better.”
Amelia stepped out into the hallway, the door closing softly behind her.
She inhaled deeply.
“I’ll be fine,” she whispered to herself again, as though repetition could turn it into truth.
The café was already buzzing when she arrived. The smell of fresh coffee and baked bread filled the air, warm and comforting in a way she desperately needed.
And outside. Of course.
Nathan stood near the entrance, leaning casually against the wall like he was posing for a photo shoot. The morning light hit his face just right, and two girls stood close to him, laughing at something he had clearly just said.
He looked relaxed. Amelia slowed her steps.
One of the girls reached out and touched his arm lightly, her laughter a little too eager.
He didn’t pull away.
Her jaw tightened.
Then he saw her. And his entire posture changed. He straightened almost immediately, his expression shifting from easy charm to something sharper, more focused. He waved.
“Morning, Hartley!”
The girls turned in unison to look at her.
Amelia kept her face blank and walked toward him.
“Hi,” he said, pushing off the wall and stepping toward her.
She didn’t respond right away.
One of the girls looked Amelia up and down, clearly assessing. “Oh. Is this…”
“Yes,” Nathan cut in smoothly, his tone calm but firm. “This is Amelia.”
Amelia nodded stiffly. “Hello.”
Nathan opened the door for her without hesitation.
She paused briefly, then stepped inside. He followed
