Leah Mitchell isn't the same shy, poor girl anymore. Now a college student, she is enjoying her life in the city and the freedom she longed for. She works hard and knows her worth. She has it all, but her heart aches for the only person from her pas...
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As soon as I'm on the ground, Jim envelops me in a hug so tight the fucker might crush my bones.
"Welcome home," my brother says and takes a step back. As he gives me a once-over, his lips curl into a smirk. "You look different."
"Feel different, too," I reply then turn to Jim's girl. "Hey, Beautiful."
She blushes. I kiss her cheek and say, "I'm Brian."
A smack on the back of my head nearly makes me lose my balance. Jim must've been working out more than usual.
"I'm Ava," Jim's girl says. She smiles at me, but wraps her arms around Jim's waist and kisses his lips. "Behave, baby."
Baby?
I chuckle. Jim tries to smack me again, but I dodge it. He tightens his hold on Ava and looks down at her with such warmth I feel as if I were back in The Ring of Fire next to one of the volcanoes. I've never seen my brother this way, and although the possessive fucker hit me, I am happy for him.
"How was your flight?" Ava asks me. She's still in Jim's arms, and he hasn't let go of her for a second, holding her hand as we head for the terminal to pick up my luggage.
"Long, but it was okay. Thanks for picking me up."
"Not at all," Jim says, side-eyeing me.
"Stop sulking." I punch his bicep. "I wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine. Right, Beautiful?"
I wink at Ava, who giggles and leans into Jim. He kisses her on the lips once and glares at me. "I might send you back to Indonesia."
"No more." I raise my hands and laugh when he rolls his green eyes at me.
After collecting my suitcases, Jim loads them into the trunk of his car and starts the engine to drive to his place.
The cityscape behind the car's window feels foreign. I forgot what it was like to see the traffic so dense. I only went to Jakarta a couple of times, not enough to get stressed by the hustle and bustle of the city.
I have to get used to Emerport again now. It will be my home, after all.
Jim's car slows down, and he drives into the garage.
As soon as he parks, I get out and grab my suitcases. We take the elevator to go to Jim's floor.
When he unlocks the door to his place, I am hit with the realization that things have changed not only for me, but also for my loved ones.
Jim's condo looks different. Warmer. Ava's touch is everywhere, unless Jim had a personality transplant and developed an interest in potted plants, framed artworks, and scented candles. Some furniture is new as well.
"Ava has a good taste," I say.
"She does." Jim kisses Ava's temple. "I like my place better this way."
