Page 37 of Dark Therapy
“You look beautiful, Amelia,” he said, his eyes taking me in with quiet admiration. There was something comforting in his gaze, a steadiness that felt like a balm to the chaos I’d been navigating lately.
“Thank you, Jake,” I replied, feeling a hint of blush rise to my cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He chuckled, extending his arm for me to take. “Shall we?”
As we made our way to the car, I found myself relaxing, his easy conversation and gentle humor helping me let go, even if just a little, of the unease that had become almost second nature these past few weeks. Tonight, with Jake, I could step into a sense of normalcy, however fleeting.
He drove us to a beautiful restaurant nestled downtown, the soft glow of candlelight and a refined ambiance welcoming us as we walked inside. Jake had clearly gone out of his way toplan the evening, and as we were seated by the window, overlooking the city lights, I felt a flicker of excitement—a reminder that I could still feel this way, that maybe happiness was still within reach.
“I thought you’d like this place,” Jake said, smiling as he watched me take in the cozy, elegant surroundings.
“It’s perfect,” I replied, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness.
As the night unfolded, our conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything from old memories of working together to our dreams for the future. With Jake, the heaviness I’d felt lately seemed to dissipate. His laughter was contagious, his stories endearing, and I found myself laughing in a way I hadn’t in so long.
As dessert arrived, Jake looked at me with a softness in his eyes that made my heart skip. “I’m really glad we’re here tonight, Amelia,” he said, his voice warm. “I’ve always admired you—for everything you are, and everything you’ve overcome. I know we’ve been friends for a while, but I’ve wanted this for so long.”
His sincerity caught me offguard, and I felt a strange mix of warmth andguilt. Here was someone offering me stability, kindness, and understanding—qualities I knew I needed but struggled to accept. And yet, in the back of my mind, there lingered a shadow of someone else. Someone I shouldn’t be thinking about.
“I’m glad too,” I whispered, meeting his gaze with a small smile. I wanted to let him in, to allow myself the possibility of something real and good.
Just as Jake reached across the table, placing his hand gently over mine, a shiver ran down my spine—a feeling of being watched, an eerie familiarity that left my skin prickling. I glanced toward the window, but all I saw was our reflection against the dark night.
“Are you okay?” Jake asked, concern etching his brow as he studied me.
I forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, just… a weird feeling. Probably just nerves.”
He squeezed my hand gently. “You’re safe with me, Amelia.”
And as Ilooked back into Jake’s eyes, trying to ground myself in the warmth he offered, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching—andwaiting.
The evening had been everything I’d hoped for—a brief escape into something soft and real, a chance to remember what it felt like to be just Amelia, with no hidden fears. Jake had this way of making me laugh, of easing my guard down piece by piece, and I found myself enjoying his company more than I had in a long time.
As we drove back, the city lights blurred outside the window, the hum of the car a comforting backdrop to the gentle conversation still flowing between us. He pulled up to my apartment building, and as he put the car in park, a warm silence settled over us.
“Thank you for tonight,” I said, turning to him, my voice barely above a whisper.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” he replied, his gaze lingering on me. In that moment, the space between us felt like it was charged with something both tender and electric. Slowly, he leaned forward, his hand moving to cup my cheek, and I methim halfway, our lips finally meeting in a kiss that was as gentle as it was full of promise.
The kiss deepened, a spark igniting as I allowed myself to get lost in it. For a moment, I let go of every heavy thought, every lingering worry. It was just him and me, warmth and calm, a reminder of what life could be if I let myself have it.
When we finally pulled back, he looked at me, his thumb brushing softly along my cheekbone. “Amelia—” he started, his voice filled with both warmth and hesitation.
Before he could say anything more, I found myself speaking up, surprised at the words tumbling out of my mouth. “Do you want to come in?”
A smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my heart skip. “I’d love to.”
We made our way to my house, my hand clasped in his, and when we stepped inside, I felt a strange sense of ease, like I was allowing myself something I’d been denying for too long.
As we settled onto the couch, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us in our bubble of warmth and laughter. I leaned into Jake, the softness of the cushions cradling us as our lips met once more, our kisses growing deeper and more urgent.
Then, with a slight pull back, Jake broke the moment, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. “Uh, I need to use the bathroom,” he said, his smile sheepish.
I laughed, finding his embarrassment endearing. “It’s right down the hall. Just to the left.”
“Thanks,” he replied, stealing one more quick kiss before getting up. I watched him walk away, the sight of him filling me with a mix of affection and excitement.
As I settled back against the couch, I let out a soft sigh, savoring the moment. Just as I was beginning to lose myself in thoughts of how the evening had turned out, my phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the tranquility. I glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing in bold letters.