Moonlit Mountain (Caleb and Sarah)

"The Remains of Summer) Chapter 21

Liam's reassurances helped Amelia shift her focus.

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She had a more pressing issue. Liam, fueled by alcohol, had finally crossed

the line, confessing his feelings, kissing her.

She'd been too drunk to resist.

They'd slept together.

Amelia had tried to pretend nothing had changed, but Liam, acting like a

lovesick teenager, had insisted she take responsibility.

Looking at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and adoration, she'd relented.

Now, tracing the love bites on her arm, she wondered what she'd gotten

herself into.

Liam's arms tightened around her, his voice a low rumble against her ear."Go back to sleep."

For the next few days, Amelia barely touched the ground. Liam carried her everywhere. Their newfound intimacy revealed a different side of him.

When Amelia's period cramps had her doubled over in pain, Liam had held 12:27

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her, spoon-feeding her ginger tea, massaging her abdomen, his hand a constant, comforting presence even as he worked from home.

She drifted in and out of sleep, murmuring, "I feel better now. You should go

to work..." Liam's family was relocating their business to New Zealand, and he should have been at the office.

He chuckled, kissing her forehead. "It's fine. If my company can't function without me for a few days, they can all find new jobs."

"Besides, you're more important."

Once Amelia had fully recovered, Liam took her on a camping trip to

Clifton Glamping in Hawke's Bay. They sipped local wine, watching the sunset

over the ocean from a hilltop hammock.

Slightly tipsy, Amelia had begged him to pick a star from the sky for her.

Liam laughed, holding her tighter, kissing her forehead. "Okay, sweetheart. Go to sleep. I'll pick you a star tomorrow."

When Amelia woke

up,

voice low.

she was in a campervan. Liam was on the phone, his

He saw her stir and kissed her hand. "Good morning. Ready to pick your star?"

Amelia, her memory hazy after the wine, looked at him blankly. "What star?"

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Liam grinned, hanging up."You'll see."

He'd already called a jeweler friend, arranging for a selection of

star-themed jewelry.

At the jeweler's house, they were greeted warmly and offered tea and pastries. Then, the jeweler presented several velvet boxes. Menu

Each contained a dazzling array of gemstones, sparkling in the light. Amelia

had seen her share of jewelry, but nothing like this.

Liam simply watched her, a smile in his eyes.

Amelia, hoping for guidance, found herself overwhelmed by the choices. Finally, she pointed to a set of sapphire jewelry.

The necklace was a cascade of deep blue stars, culminating in a delicate

platinum flower pendant, each petal studded with tiny sapphires.

Liam raised an eyebrow, taking the necklace out and fastening it around her neck, his eyes widening slightly."It suits you."