Hello, Again

Chapter 8

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So I put my faith in something unknown

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It's very easy to forget that the world is fairly three dimensional, for all intents and purposes. It was a lesson Amelia had to learn on many, many occasions.

That wasn't the case with Adam.

Adam On The Other Hand, had an impeccable understanding of the world, perhaps a result of his own History (a history Amelia learnt, along the way, but didn't quite understand its repercussions, not until After.) He spent his days watching the world, not unlike her, but with very, very different motives.

He watched to imbibe. She watched to avoid participation. It was all that was needed to make a world of a difference.

This was perhaps the best explanation that could be given for their behaviour prior to the fateful evening they decided to get drinks with Sarah, the first of many where the two would exchange stolen glances and shy smiles and the (rare) brushes of the hand. This was one of the mid-day weekend conversations, of lazy smiles and throw-away comments, of decided interest and shaky confidence. This was the behaviour that became a foundation.

On a lazy April afternoon, this was a question.

"Isn't that Scotch in your mug?"

Adam barely even paused before he answered, "Yes."

Amelia's (succulent) lips turned up in a smile, "Isn't it a tad too early for alcohol?"

"Some would say it's tad too late for coffee."

She smirked in reply, her light brown eyes crinkling at the corners as her lips pulled up again. Adam resisted the urge to stare, and raised his mug in a mock toast instead.

He wasn't quite sure what it was – the way she looked or the way she moved, or perhaps the way she threw snarky comments his way or tied her hair up with a pencil, or maybe just those lips of hers that smiled at inopportune moments, full and youthful and pink, and when she smiled he thought of very little except what it would be like to kiss her.

Adam McAllister could very gladly admit that he had a crush on Amelia.

He pushed back this thought as she opened her mouth again, no doubt about to fire another sarcastic comment, and he dipped his chin and offered her his undivided attention, trying very sincerely to focus on her words alone.

"Some would say it's a fairly odd perspective on life."

"It's more of an objective state of mind.

Her smile brightened, "Pray tell what that means?"

                                                                                                  ...            

(How it goes today)

Emily cleared her throat purposefully, clutching her coffee mug self - consciously, looking at Amelia through her lashes, and found the brunette far too distracted to take the hint.

After three weeks of being tangled in her business, Emily guessed (correctly) that a little more nudging wouldn't really hurt.

"Ames?"

"Yes?"

"Well, um, the meeting we had today..."

"Went swimmingly well, didn't it?"