If I Could Fly // h.s.

Chapter 29

After standing in silent shock for what seems like forever, I finally force my feet to move and approach Zack. 

"Um.. Hey, Zack." I don't get close enough to greet him with a hug or anything. 

"So, I guess I didn't really think this out well. I was hoping this would be a good surprise," he chuckles nervously while shifting back and forth onto his heels. 

"It's definitely a surprise. Is everything all right back home?" I ask, panic suddenly coursing through me. What if something happened to Mom and she couldn't reach me? But why wouldn't she be able to reach me? Someone would have called. Why didn't anyone call..

My thoughts are interrupted when Zack speaks again. "Oh no. Nothing's happened. Your mom is fine. I've actually been keeping a pretty close eye on her. She misses you, Ames."

Guilt. So much guilt. "Zack, please don't say that. You know I couldn't stay. She barely registered when I was there with her anyway," I plead, trying to reason with my guilty conscience. 

"I know, Ames, but you just left. I couldn't even call you. It said your number got disconnected." His irritation is coming through loud and clear. 

"My aunt secured me an international phone and mailed it to me before I left the states. I had no reason to keep the old one. Mom and Nichole were the only ones I left the number with." Not that I've heard from my mother. I decide to keep that information to myself. 

"Amelia, darling, where are you?" I hear Aunt Jane call from the hallway leading to her office/sunroom. 

"In the foyer! We have a guest." I glance up at Zack and wait for Aunt Jane to find us. 

"Amelia, do you think Harry would mind a trip to Evelina next week? I thought you two might could start taking over for me once a month. If he can't maybe Nichole cou.." Aunt Jane stops as she looks up from her tablet and notices we are not alone. "Oh hello. And who might this young man be?" She switches on her gracious hostess manners like a champ. 

"Zack Hamilton, Ma'am. Pleasure to meet you," Zack extends his hand to delicately shake hers. 

"Jane Norton," she replies. "Zack... Oh, Amelia's Zack, or ex-Zack. Oh dear." Aunt Jane stumbles through her words, a first that I've yet to experience from her. 

I stifle a giggle. "Zack, why don't you come into the lounge. I'll get us some tea." I motion for him to follow me. Aunt Jane stays close to my side as we all walk until we make it into the lounge. "Aunt Jane, why don't you text Harry and see if he will be back by then. I don't see why he wouldn't, though. Either way, consider me in. I think that's a lovely idea."

"Oh course, dear. I'll handle it and leave you two to talk. I'm sure you have plenty to discuss. I'll let Anna know to bring you tea," she says while appearing to collect her thoughts. "It was nice to meet you, Zack. We'll talk later, Amelia." That promise hangs in the air as she exits the room. 

I have a seat in one of the chairs opposite the large couch. "Please sit, Zack. You must be exhausted. I don't envy anyone that flight now that I've experienced it." I speak mindlessly but somehow it brings back a flood of all the beautiful memories from my flight over. Harry. I miss him already. God, I wish he was here. Then again, he'd shit himself if he knew my ex-fiance showed up out of the blue and was now sitting in my aunt and uncle's house. My house. My best friend's house. Jesus Christ. 

My train of thought is interrupted when I hear Zack laugh softly. "I see you still get lost in that head of yours. I've always loved that you don't even realise when you do it." The adoration in his eyes hasn't changed a bit.