Amy's eyes fluttered open, met with the warm glow of morning light streaming through her window. She lay still, taking stock of her surroundings. Jace's arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. His gentle breathing rustled her hair.She looked at him as he slept peacefully and sense of comfort and security enveloped her.
But as she shifted trying to cuddle closer,reality set in. Last night's memories flooded her mind: the beach,the pictures,the sunset,the kiss, the intimacy. A flutter in her chest became a nagging voice. "Was it too soon?" "Did I make a mistake?" She thought about her past relationships and how they had hurt her. She had given herself to Jace willingly, but now she felt vulnerable.
Amy carefully extracted herself from Jace's embrace, trying not to wake him. She slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a different person – one with vulnerable eyes and a guarded heart. She felt like she had lost control as she looked at her naked body and the hickeys Jace had given her the previous night and it scared her.
"What have I done?" She asked herself as she palmed her face.
Jace stirred, sensing Amy's absence. He opened his eyes to find her standing by the window in a bathrobe, lost in thought. Her expression was a mix of serenity and turmoil. He threw off the covers,wore his trouser and approached her.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly.
Amy turned, forcing a smile."Yeah, just...processing."
Jace wrapped his arms around her but she slipped away and walked to the bed. "About last night?"He asked.
She nodded. "Yh,Last night.....that was a mistake"
"What do you mean?"Jace asked looking confused.
Amy's gaze locked onto his."You're gentle and kind, and you make me feel safe.We were just caught up in the moment with how yesterday went and all that that we couldn't stop ourselves"
"That's because I care about you, Amy. I want to be with you."
"Jace I can't" Amy said and walked towards him
"Why not?" Jace asked.
As they stood there, Amy's thoughts drifted to her past. The pain, the distrust. She had built walls, but Jace had breached them. Was she ready to let him in?
"Jace,you don't understand"she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then make me" He said as he held her hands close to his chest.
"What do you want from me?"Amy said looking him in the eye not shifting her gaze for a split second.
Jace's eyes never left hers. "Everything, Amy. Every moment, every laugh, every tear. I want to be the one you turn to."
Amy's heart skipped a beat. Someone had said something like that to her before.
"That's what he said but he hurt and left me, everyone left me,my brother,then Derek, my parents,I can't go through all that pain again,I just can't"she said, her voice laced with anger and pain.
"Look at me" Jace said trying to calm her down as he cupped her face "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
"Whoever that was,it wasn't me and it's never going to be me,you hear that?,I love you and nothing's going to change that". He continued.
Amy's eyes searched his, looking for any sign of deception. All she saw was sincerity.
As Jace wrapped her in his arms, Amy realized she had a choice to make.Let her fear and past dictate her actions or take a chance on Jace. Without any hesitation,she leaned into his chest, feeling his warmth as she has already made her decision.
"Well, since we're pouring out our feelings,Amy,Let's make this a regular thing,you and me" Jace said as he held her tighter.
"A regular thing??" Amy asked waiting for him to clarify what he meant.
"You know, like a relationship, Amy the past few months of my life has been the best since I've known you,I wake up feeling tired most days but each time I remember that I'm going to see you, I get strength and go through the rest of the day with so much ease" Jace said as he pulled away from the hug and looked into her eyes.
"Be my girlfriend,Amy,let's explore this and see where it takes us,i'm willing to chance with you" Jace's heart was racing as he waited for Amy's response.
"Yh,I guess I like the sound of that" Amy said and let out a smile. She hoped in her heart that this new thing between her and Jace will be good.
"Just promise you won't hurt me okay" She looked at him.
"I promise "
As they hugged, Jace knew that this was the start of something amazing. He couldn't wait to see where their relationship would go...
....
Amy walked to Mrs. Thompson's cozy spot in the bookstore, carrying David Nicholls' novel "One Day".
She closes the window to prevent the rain outside from disturbing them.
"Today, I'll read from this beautiful, poignant love story," Amy said, settling into her favorite armchair.
Mrs. Thompson's eyes sparkled. "Oh, dearie, Nicholls is such a great writer,he knows what he's doing when he lifts a pen!"Mrs Thompson said and Amy laughs.
"I couldn't agree more "She said smiling.
Amy cleared her throat and began:
"'July 15th 1988. Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew met on this day, the night of their graduation..."
Mrs. Thompson listened intently, her hands clasped together.
As Amy read, Mrs. Thompon's expressions changed - from curiosity to smiles, and tender nods.
"Dexter Mayhew. She peered up at him through her fringe as he leant against the cheap buttoned vinyl headboard and even without her spectacled on it was clear why he might want to stay exactly this way. Eyes closed,the cigarette glued languidly on his lower lip,the dawn light warming the side of his face through the red filter of the curtains,he had the knack of looking perpetually posed for a photograph. Emma Morley thought 'handsome' a silly, nineteenth-century word,but there really was no other word for it, except perheps 'beautiful'. He had one of those faces where you were aware of the bones beneath the skin,as if even his bare skull would be attractive. A fine nose, slightly shiny with grease and dark skin beneath the eyes that looked almost bruised, a badge of honor from all the smoking and late nights spent deliberately losing a strip poker with girls from Bedales. There was something feline about him: eyebrows fine,mouth pouty in a self-conscious way,lips a shade too dark and full but dry and chapped now and rouged with Bulgarian red wine. .'"
Mrs. Thompson sighed. "How lovely!"
Amy smiled. "Their relationship is complex, but captivating."
After finishing the chapter, Amy closed the book.
"What do you think of Emma and Dexter so far?" Amy asked.
Mrs. Thompson's eyes twinkled. "I'm invested! Please read more!"
Amy smiled and continued reading.
"'Flatmates?, Emma hesitated , shook her head and groaned,then wrote 'just kidding!!!!' She groaned again. 'Just kidding ' was exactly what people wrote when they meant every word. Too late to scribble it out now,but how to sign off? 'All the best' was too formal, 'tout mon amour' too affectionate, 'all my love' too corny and now Gary Nurkin was in the doorway once again yelling "okay,places everyone!" Sorrowfully he held the door open as if leading them to the firing squad and quickly before she could change her mind,she wrote____ God I miss you,Dex
___then her signature and a single kiss scratched deep into the pale blue air-mail paper.'" Amy read out.
Mrs. Thompson listened attentively, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"'Dexter's life, meanwhile, was unraveling in unexpected ways...'"
As Amy read, Mrs. Thompson's expressions reflected the characters' emotions.
After finishing the chapter, Amy looked up.
"What do you think of Emma?" Amy asked.
Mrs. Thompson nodded thoughtfully. "She's searching for her place in the world."
Amy nodded. "Exactly! And Dexter's trying to find his own path."
Amy leaned forward, curious. "What do you think draws Emma and Dexter together, Mrs. Thompson?"
Mrs. Thompson's eyes sparkled. "They're both searching for meaning, dear. Emma wants purpose and someone real that makes her heart spark like Dexter does and Dexter wants authenticity but is still blind to see that Emma is all he needs."
Mrs. Thompson smiled. "In life, we need people who understand our struggles and support our dreams. Emma and Dexter have that, despite their flaws."
Amy reflected on Mrs. Thompson's words, relating them to her own experiences with Jace.
"Do you think their relationship will last?" Amy asked.
Mrs. Thompson's expression turned thoughtful. "Love is a journey, not a destination. Emma and Dexter must navigate their differences and grow together."
Amy's mind wandered to her own journey with Jace.
Mrs. Thompson's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Enough about Emma and Dexter for now. How's your own love story unfolding, Amy?"
Amy blushed, smiling. "It's going great, Mrs. Thompson. Jace is amazing."
Mrs. Thompson leaned forward, her voice warm. "Tell me more, dear. What's he like when no one's watching?"
Amy's heart swelled. "He's kind, genuine, and always supports me."
Mrs. Thompson nodded. "That's wonderful. And how do you feel about him?"
Amy's voice softened. "I love that he makes me feel seen, heard, and loved. He makes me feel like home."
Mrs. Thompson's eyes sparkled. "That's beautiful, Amy. You deserve that happiness at least after all you've been through "
Amy smiled, grateful for Mrs. Thompson's warmth and genuine concern.
As Amy packed up her books, Mrs. Thompson grasped her hand.
"Amy, dear, you're more than just a reader to me or some random person who works in my bookstore," Mrs. Thompson said, her eyes shining. "You're family."
Amy's heart swelled. "You're family to me too, Mrs. Thompson."
Mrs. Thompson smiled. "I'm so glad Jace found you. You deserve happiness."
Amy blushed. "Thanks, Mrs. Thompson. You're always looking out for me."
As Amy left, Mrs. Thompson's words lingered in her mind.