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When I felt love and gave it freely in turn.
When I had a family.
When I had everything I never knew I wanted in my life.
I traced Amanda’s face on the picture and felt my heart go soft. Here in London, I had nobody.
Sure, I had a very successful practice. My patients adored me. My colleagues respected me.
But every single damned day, I came home exhausted tonothing…only to repeat that process all over again the next day.
I took my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through my contacts until I found her name and hesitated.
God, I just want to hear her voice.
I could call her, let her know that I got home safely. She was probably worried about me and wondering if I was alright.
I shook my head at that. On the other hand, it would only hurt us both if I kept on contacting her. It was a bad idea on so many levels.
I stared at my phone like it could give me any answers.
God, I really just want to hear her voice…even just this once…
CHAPTER TWENTY
AMANDA
“They’re here!” my dad yelled as he opened the door.
I smiled as I helped Grandma Margaret out of the car and out into the warm afternoon sunshine. Buddy, who had also been cooped up inside the car for the duration of the three-hour drive to Greenville, bounded out excitedly, eager to stretch his limbs. He barked happily as he ran around my parents’ lawn for a few moments before running back to us with his tail wagging.
I looked around and grinned. My parents bought a three-bedroom house when we moved to Greenville ten years ago and today, it seemed like Mom went all-out on the decorations.
There were patriotic banners made of denim hung on the door with red, white, and blue ribbons. They had even spray-painted red, white, and blue stars on the grass of the lawn. I was pretty sure that the same theme was set up inside the house.
“Buddy!” Dad laughed, scratching Buddy’s furry brown head affectionately. “I missed you, boy! Tell me, what has your mom been up to, huh? Any boys come over at her house?”
I nearly choked at my Dad’s words as he played with Buddy. Even after all these years, he liked to pretend that I was still his little princess. It would’ve been funny, too, but it had only been two weeks since Oliver went back to London and my heart still felt sore whenever I thought of it.
I glanced quickly at Grandma and subtly shook my head, hoping she would get the hint. She just nodded softly and smiled at me.
“I haven’t seen you guys in a long time and the first one you greet is Buddy,” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest with a pout. “Now, I know who’s the closest to your heart!”
“Hmph! Didn’t even greet his own mother properly!” Grandma Margaret seconded.
Trust Grandma Margaret to always have my back, I thought.
My Dad grinned sheepishly at us and ran over to Grandma, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I missed you, Mom.”
“Fine way you have of showing it,” she glared at him, although a smile was twitching at the corner of her mouth.
He just laughed and hugged her. She patted his back lovingly in return. “I missed you so much!”
“And what about my little princess?” Dad turned to me with a huge smile and enveloped me in a bear hug. I squealed and he laughed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I missed you so much.”
I laughed and hugged him back. “I missed you, too, Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“Right here, darling,” I heard the familiar, comforting voice and her familiar scent before being wrapped up in her arms. “I missed you so much!”
