"What do you think of lilies? Or perhaps roses?" Lynette turned towards me. "What do you think, Amelia?"

I slurped the rest of my iced coffee through my straw. Or what remained of it. Which was just ice. My finger tapped the side of my cup. I was incredibly anxious today. I stopped taking the anxiety meds I was on since they caused side effects. When I called my doctor this morning, she agreed for me to switch. My next appointment was tomorrow. 

I had a really rough night last night. After Wyatt and I talked for awhile, he tried to get me to show him the dress I bought. I told him he just had to wait. We were both excited for the date. I had no idea if he was nervous. I was extremely nervous. I've been on a few dates with random guys before; but I was never really interested in them. With Wyatt—I was in love with him. Even more now then back in high school. And I was scared. Scared that he didn't feel the way I did. God, was history going to repeat itself? I hoped not. I don't think I would be able to take that again. 

"Amelia? You okay?" 

I turned to Lynette and my eyes widened a little. "Sorry." I looked at the flowers. "Lilies, definitely." 

She smiled happily. "That's what I was thinking!" She wrote something on a pad of paper. 

We've been wedding planning all day. I could barely look Lynette in the eye. She was so excited about this whole thing...

"Should we go register for gifts?"

I inwardly cringed. We've already been cake tasting, wine tasting, and now we selected flowers. I couldn't handle much more today. "Actually, Lynette, if you don't mind, I think I'll head home." I gave her a small smile and combed my hand through my hair. "Shopping takes a lot out of me." 

Lynette was as sweet as ever. She came up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. "I don't mind, dear." She cupped the side of my face. "I know this is a lot for you. I appreciate you letting me help you plan the wedding. You're the only daughter I ever had and now...now you really will be my daughter." She wiped the tears in her eyes. "I'm just—so happy."

My chest tightened. Fuuuuuuuck. That's it, when I get home, I'm calling Logan and telling him that we needed to fix this. Now. I couldn't keep up this charade with his parents any longer. The longer it was going on, the more it would hurt them. And after everything they did for me, I couldn't let that happen.

Amelia, Wyatt & Lynette
Eight Years Ago

"Is she going to be okay, Mom?" Wyatt whispered the question to Lynette. 

I was sitting by the window in my bedroom. It was raining and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the droplets as they made streaks on the glass. Was this day happening? Was this real? It couldn't be...

"She will be," his mom whispered back, "eventually. It's going to take a lot of time, Wyatt." 

"What can we do for her?"  

I heard the worry in his voice. He was scared I was going to lose it. Truth was, I was pretty close. Losing both of my parents so suddenly in a car accident—I didn't know how I felt. Alone. Hopeless. Scared. What was I going to do? How was I going to make it through high school without my parents? Who was going to walk me down the aisle when I got married? Who was going to teach me to me a mother? 

Those questions have been going through my head over and over again since it happened. I haven't even cried yet. I felt like I couldn't. If I did, it would be real. Too real. If I started crying, I didn't know if I would ever stop. 

Lynette's voice was low. "Wyatt, wait here." I heard her light footsteps as she came up behind me. She sat beside me on the small couch. "Amelia, I'm so sorry for what happened. I just wanted to tell you that it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling. If you want to talk to me or Wyatt, we'll be here for you. Okay?" 

I nodded my head but didn't speak. If I did, I was going to break down. 

"I'll give you some space." She left the room and I heard the door shut behind her. 

I didn't need to turn around to know that I wasn't alone. "It's okay, Wyatt. You can come over here." 

Wyatt walked over and took a seat next to me. "I'm not going to ask you if you're okay." 

"Good."  Because I wasn't.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Just...be here." 

He reached out and took my hand in his. "I'll always be there for you, Lia. We're you're family now. I'm your family." 

I squeezed his hand tight as the first tear ran down my cheek. 

"...so if you don't feel well, it's okay if you want to go home." 

I looked up at Lynette and pushed that sad memory aside. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. "Thank you, Lynette. For everything." 

I could tell she was surprised by my actions, but I couldn't help it. I wasn't able to put into words how thankful I was for her that day. Or how sorry I was for lying to her now. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" 

I pulled away from her embrace. "I'm okay, "

"Alright, Amelia. I'll see you later, sweetheart." 

After she left I walked straight to my car. I got inside and dialed Logan's number. "Come on, come on." It kept ringing and ringing. "Dammit, Logan!" 

I hung up before dialing a different number. 

"Hello?"

"Wyatt?"

"Lia? What's wrong?" 

I knew my voice sounded shaky. Courtesy of my anxiety. "Can you come over?"  

"I'm on my way." 

"Feeling better?"

I finished the soup Wyatt made me and handed him the now empty bowl. "Yes, thank you."

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "Anytime, baby." 

He walked into the kitchen and sat the bowl in the sink. He beat me back to my apartment and was waiting for me at the door. I was so happy to see him, I threw myself into his arms. I didn't realize how close I had been to another attack until I took the elevator up to my apartment. As always, Wyatt was able to keep my demons at bay. 

"Why do you call me that?"

He frowned and came to stand in front of me. "Call you what?"

My eyes met his. "Baby."

He blinked repeatedly, clearly surprised by my question. "I—does it bother you?"

I shook my head. I loved it, actually. "No, I'm just curious."

He reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear. "The first time it just...came out. I liked the way it sounded. I meant it. I care about you, Lia. More than anything."

Care. The other four letter word. Not the one I wanted to here, but I'll worry about that tomorrow. After our date. For now, I just wanted to be near him. "Well, I kinda like how it sounds, too." 

The smirk he threw at me sent chills down my spine. "You do, huh?" He leaned into me, placing kisses against my neck. "Do you like this, too?"' 

"No," I answered breathlessly, tilting my head to the side. 

"What did I say about lying to me, Lia?" Another suck of my skin and a moan slipped past my lips. 

"What did I say about having sex before our date, Wyatt?"

He pulled back, his eyes full of lust and hunger as he stared into mine. "I didn't forget. No sex before the date." His expression was wicked. "That doesn't mean we can't do other things." 

I squealed as he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the couch. He sat in the middle and had me straddle his waist. I think he loved it when I sat like this. I was wearing a skirt that rose up my tighs. His hands were like a hot brand as he placed them on my bare skin. 

"So," I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, "what exactly did you have in mind?" 

"How about a good old fashioned make-out?"

I perked up instantly before crushing my lips to his. His hands gripped my thighs as his tongue danced with mine. I could taste the wine he drank earlier mixed with a taste that was pure Wyatt. I wanted to be drunk with it. Drunk with him. Because...well, I loved him. 

I gasped when he lifted his hips, causing his erection to press against my soaking wet heat. "Wyatt..." It was supposed to be a warning, but it came out as a deep moan. The material of his jeans only added to the sensations. 

He cupped my face with his hands, deepening the kiss and making me melt for him. "Ride me, baby," he whispered against my lips. 

Unable to resist, I rubbed myself against him. He groaned into my mouth, lifting his hips in time with mine. I had never felt anything like this...this was different. It was almost as good as him being inside me. The thin lace panties I was wearing were soaked as I continued to ride him. 

His breathing became labored and he threw his head back. He grabbed my waist, urging me to move my body faster. "Christ. You feel so fucking good."

"So do you," I moaned. 

I didn't stop him when he unzipped the back of my dress. He pulled the top down and took my nipple into his mouth. I buried my hands in his hair, clutching him to me as he flicked his tongue over the sensitive bud. 

"Oh, God. Wyatt..."

Just as he tugged on my nipple lightly with his teeth—I came. Hard. Wyatt wasn't far behind me. He squeezed my body to his as his own release came over him. When it was finally over he leaned back and grinned up at me. 

"What are you smiling for?"

He arched a brow. "My pants are still on. I didn't break any rules." 

I shook my head at him. Wyatt Thorne. I really, really, loved this man. That meant one of two things were going to happen: either we were going to live happily ever after—or he was going to break my heart into a million pieces. Again.