Page 25 of Dark Therapy
I smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, it has. I’ve missed our talks. You always know how to make me feel better.”
He turned toward me, his gaze intent and searching. “You deserve to feel good, Amelia. You should have moments like this—moments where you can just be happy.”
His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I felt my heart swell. “Thank you, Jake. It means a lot to hear you say that.”
He shifted slightly closer, his arm brushing against mine. “You’re stronger than you think. I admire that about you.”
A blush crept onto my cheeks, and I lowered my gaze, feeling a mix of shyness and warmth from his compliment. “I’m just trying to get through it all, you know?”
Jake nodded, his expression softening. “I understand. Just remember, you’re not alone. You have me.”
I looked up at him, our eyes locking, and the air between us crackled with unspoken tension. I could see the sincerity in his gaze, a kindness that made me feel safe. In that moment, it was as if the noise of the party faded away, leaving just the two of us in our own little world.
“Amelia…” he murmured, leaning in closer. My breath caught in my throat as his intent became clear. He hesitated for just a moment, searching my eyes for permission.
“Jake…” I breathed, my heart racing as the space between us shrank.
And then he kissed me—soft and tentative at first, testing the waters. The moment his lips met mine, warmth flooded through me. I kissed him back, my heart pounding as his hand cuppedmy cheek, deepening the kiss. It felt like coming home, like finding something I didn’t even know I was missing.
I leaned into him, craving more of this connection. Jake pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against mine as we both caught our breath.
“Wow,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
“Really?” I asked, a mixture of surprise and elation coursing through me.
“Yeah,” he admitted, his voice low. “I didn’t want to rush anything, but I couldn’t help it anymore.”
My heart soared at his honesty. “I’m glad you did.”
He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. “Me too.”
Just as I began to revel in the moment, the party around us came roaring back to life. Laughter echoed, and I could hearAnna calling out for more music. The atmosphere felt electric, but here on the couch, with Jake beside me, it was like we existed in our own little bubble.
Suddenly, I felt a gentle tug on my arm, and before I knew it, Emily was dragging me away from Jake, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Come on, Amelia! We need your help in the kitchen!”
“What? The kitchen?” I stammered, looking back at Jake, who wore a bemused expression.
“Just for a minute!” Emily insisted, practically bouncing on her feet. “We’re trying to figure out the cake situation, and I could really use your skills.”
I glanced at Jake, who smiled knowingly, and I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of annoyance and amusement at being pulled away so suddenly. “Alright, alright,” I relented, letting Emily lead me away.
Once we were in the bustling kitchen, the aroma of baked goods and party snacks enveloped us. Anna was rummagingthrough cabinets, while a couple of other friends were icing cupcakes and preparing drinks.
“Oh my God, did you see the way he looked at you?” Emily exclaimed as soon as we stepped away from the main party area. Her excitement was palpable, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I mean, it was just a kiss,” I replied, trying to play it cool despite the flutter of excitement in my stomach. “We were just having a moment.”
“Just a moment?” she scoffed, her eyes wide. “You two were practically glowing! You need to tell me everything!”
I rolled my eyes playfully but couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across my face. “It was nice, okay? We’re just… figuring things out.”
“Figuring things out?” Emily echoed, her voice rising in disbelief. “You kissed him, Amelia! That’s a big deal. Are you actually going to date him?”
“Maybe,” I said, feeling a rush of vulnerability at the prospect. I had been so focused on my past and the shadowslingering around me that it felt surreal to entertain the idea of moving forward with someone like Jake.
Emily clasped her hands together, her excitement only growing. “You deserve this! You deserve to be happy after everything you’ve been through. Plus, Jake’s a great guy. He’s sweet, he cares about you, and he’s not a creep!”
I laughed, appreciating her enthusiasm. “You make it sound like I’m looking for a prince or something.”