Four: A New Friend

When Amelia had accepted to get lunch with James, she’d expected them to merely take a walk to the restaurant a few blocks away from their office building but James had shocked her by walking her to his car.

“Aren’t we going for lunch?” she questioned with a furrow in her brows.

“Yes, we are, but in a better place where they make heavenly meals,” he winked at her before opening the door to the passenger side of the car for her. Amelia got in, wondering where he could be taking her before he jogged around and got behind the driver’s seat, pulling out of the parking lot.

They drove in comfortable silence for about ten minutes before they came to a stop at a five-star restaurant.

“James…” she glanced at her, half-smiling.

He only responded with a smile, winking at her.

“I don’t know when you’ll give me this chance again, so let me enjoy it, will you?”

“Very well then, dazzle me,”

“I plan to, my lady,”

Getting out of the car, he walked round to get her door for her but she was already out.

“Hey…” he frowned at her, shaking his head in disapproval. “That’s my job, and you will not rob me of it,”

“My bad,” Amelia smiled.

Taking her hand in his, he led her towards the door, as it slid open to let them in. His eyes quickly scanned the large room for a vacant table and once he found her, he led her towards it, pulling her chair out for her before getting his.

“A perfect gentleman,” Amelia praised, smiling cheerfully.

“What can I say, my mom did a great job,” James responded, just as a waiter approached them.

“Hello, Sir, and ma’am, welcome to Delia’s Cuisines,” the waiter wore a perfect smile, bowing respectfully. “What would you like to have?”

“Come on, make a choice for us,” James urged Amelia, handing her one of the menus on their table. Not wanting to waste the waiter’s time, she quickly corked a brow at James but he nodded in approval, understanding her silent question.

Thereafter, she opened the fancy menu and glanced at it, before picking the least expensive meal, not wanting to be a burden to James, knowing he’d offer to pay her bills with his. James on the other hand was amused by her decision but he remained calm. After she was done, he ordered an expensive wine that had her raising her brows.

“I know what you did there, Amelia, but you don’t have to worry. I wouldn’t bring you out for a lunch date if I’m not ready to settle the bills. So relax and have a good time, will you?”

She nodded in response, smiling shyly. She hadn’t thought he’d notice it.

“Thank you, James. But you really don’t have to pay my bills,”

James shook his head in refusal.

“Let me worry about that,”

A few minutes later, the waiter returned with their meal and they dug in. At first taste, Amelia let out a small moan of appreciation, savoring the taste of the meal and this had James smiling.

“They really make heavenly meals here,”

“I told you,” he responded.

They continued their meal for the next couple of minutes before James broke their comfortable silence.

“You know, I’m surprised you let me take you out. Should I take this as some progress or you’re just on a break from telling me off?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

Amelia glanced at him, slowly chewing the food in her mouth and washing it down her throat with a sip of her wine before answering.

“Maybe a green flag…”

“Yeah?” a smile bloomed on his face as he awaited her answer.

Amelia let go of her cutlery on her plate, settling more into her seat.

“Honestly, James, I don’t have anything against you, and neither do I consider you as a red flag. You’re a good man and a wonderful one. The younger me would have loved to have you in my life, but now…” she heaved a sigh, looking away, her gaze traveling across the room to see tables occupied by couples having a good time with smiles on their faces. 

A warm hand rested on her palm, bringing her attention back to James, as his palm squeezed hers softly.

“I understand your reasons, Amelia, and it’s fine. I just want you to know that I’ll be patient and I’m ready to wait for you until you’re ready to change your mind because I like you a lot. Maybe one day you’ll be mine?”

His words touched her heart. She’d never had a man say such words to her ever in her life. His reassurance broke something in her and suddenly, she wanted to give him a chance to see where it’d go, to see if this man could mend her previously broken heart and teach it to love again.

“I have no problem accepting you into my life, James, but I’m a single mom and I put my daughter’s interest first.”

James smiled, surprising her more.

“You’re a good mother, Amelia, and I’m sure your daughter is happy to have you in her life,”

Tears stung her eyes from his compliment but she glanced away, managing to blink them away before returning her gaze to his, with his clear blue eyes staring into hers like he was looking at the most wonderful creature he’d ever set eyes on.

“Thank you, James. Maybe we can take things slow and see where they lead us?”

His hand that had been subconsciously caressing hers stilled, his lips parting in astonishment. She nodded, a smile spreading across her features as she answered his unasked question.

“I mean it, James. Let’s give us a trial,”

Overjoyed by her words, he gently pulled her hand towards his lips and gently placed a kiss on them, causing her to giggle.

“I’ll take care of you, Amelia and I’ll never make you regret your decision to invite me into your life,”

“Come on, don’t make me cry. I don’t want to ruin my makeup,” she joked, smiling harder.

They continued with their meal, conversing about random topics, while also getting to know each other. From the moment Amelia had accepted James’ proposal, he felt as though he was at the top of the world and just couldn’t stop showering her with praises and compliments. Amelia also felt happier than she’d expected to be. Although her heart was racing within her, scared of what the outcome of her decision might be, she ignored it, inwardly telling herself to be calm and enjoy the moment while it lasts.

*****

Throughout the week, James and Amelia had some amazing moments, always having lunch together and getting to know each other better. At this point, it was no news that they were seeing each other, as everyone in the office had noticed them leaving together multiple times. On the days' Amelia was too busy to step out of her office, he made it his duty to get her food, and stay in with her to eat. Amelia didn’t know what she’d been missing all this while until she accepted the man into her life. Now, she looked forward to every lunch break, knowing James would show up. It was quickly becoming her favorite time at work.

It was the weekend and Amelia was in her home with Dora, with no plans for the day. They were casually relaxing on a sofa, watching a movie when the doorbell rang. Gently, she carried Dora on the sofa and rose to her feet, hurrying to the door, only to see James standing there, his arms behind his back and an unreadable expression etched on his face. 

“James…” she called in astonishment, blinking twice to be sure her eyes weren't deceiving her.

“Hey…” a small smile broke out on his face, not quite reaching his eyes, as he wasn’t sure what Amelia’s reaction to his unexpected visit would be.

The previous day, after they’d closed from work, he’d discreetly followed Amelia home just to know where she stayed after he’d asked her if she had any weekend plans but she’d said she wanted to spend the weekend with her daughter. He thought of taking them out but wanted to surprise Amelia with his visit.

“How did you find my place?”

“I… may have tracked you yesterday,” 

Amelia stared at him in bewilderment, unsure of how to respond. She didn’t even know how to feel about his visit, knowing they hadn’t spoken about it, and Dora was home.

“I’m sorry I didn’t inform you. After you told me about how you’ll spend your day, I thought it would be nice to come to take you and your daughter out, that’s if you wouldn’t mind but now, I think it wasn’t such a reasonable decision. I should have considered y…”

“It’s fine, James,” Amelia cut him off, smiling. “Honestly, I didn’t expect this and I didn’t prepare Dora for your visit but I’m sure she’d love to see you,”

“Are you sure about that?” He asked, skeptically.

“Come on, it’s fine. Come in,” she waved her hand, inviting him in as she stepped out of the doorway to let him in.

“Thank you,” he smiled, this time, a genuine one that got to his eyes, his face radiating with joy. “This is for you and your baby,” he brought forth his hands, handing her a box of chocolate and a single red rose.

“Aww… aren’t you lovely?”

“Anything for you, my lady,” he winked at her as she led the way to the living room, where Dora was still lost to the action on the screen.

“Dora, we have a friend over, baby,” Amelia informed her, crouching to her level. Her eyes immediately darted up to see James. For a moment, she stared at the man curiously before rising to her feet and walking up to him.

“Hello, I’m Dora,” Dora introduced herself, smiling cheerfully at James with her arm stretched out. In response, James crouched to her level, taking her small palm in his and smiling.

“Hello, Dora, I’m James, and you’re such a beautiful little lady,”

“Thank you,” she smiled toothily.

“Dora, James is my friend from work and he got this for you,” Amelia handed her the box of chocolate. A look of surprise appeared on the child’s face, making James chuckle at how cute she looked. 

“Thank you!” she exclaimed, hugging James who was still kneeling beside her. At first, James was shocked but returned her hug after Amelia nodded at him, smiling. He wrapped his arms around the little girl. “I like you,” she blurted out.

“I like you too, pretty lady,” James responded.

Amelia watched them with a smile on her face.

“How would you like to go out with me? Mom can also come along,” James offered, smiling at the little girl, who glanced at her mom to see her nod. In response, she nodded her head, giving James a positive response. “Lovely,”

With that, Amelia dressed Dora up and she also got into some comfortable clothes before they hightailed out of the house towards James' car. They spent the rest of the day with James, who took them to different fun places, successfully making Dora to like him more than he‘d planned. 

At the end of the day, Amelia saw herself falling more for James than she’d intended. Seeing how good he was with her daughter only made her like him more.