When The Rules Are Broken ✔️

Chapter Fourteen

The next day, Amelia woke up with a moan of contentment, marvelling at James' skills as a great lover. She doubted the sex between them will ever get old. Last night had been out of this world. 

But where was he? She rolled over to his side, which was empty. 

After changing into a dark green bikini, she threw on a blue hoodie dress over it. Downstairs, she found her brother watching a rerun of a basketball game. He glanced at her with raised eyebrows.

"Morning, Dan." She stifled a massive yawn. I could do with some coffee. "Who else is awake?"

"Hey, little sis. It's just you and me," Daniel replied with a thoughtful expression. "Feel better?"

 "I am fine. Why?" she asked brightly. Did mom tell him about the fight? 

Muting the game, Daniel explained, "I mean after the drama Brian caused between you and James." 

"It was nothing." She flushed.

"Look, I know I haven't been the best brother lately, but you are my baby sister, and I care about you. Since Brian was out of order, I had a brief chat with him yesterday. I think he and your boyfriend are on good terms now."

"You don't have to worry about me." Amelia appreciated his brotherly concern but remained wary.

"Of course, I do. Look, I have told mom and dad to give you a break this long weekend. Nora was gutted when you didn't come to our engagement party. It was the best day of my life, and my sister was missing." His features twisted at the memory. "You trust me, right?" 

Their parents had inadvertently wedged a wall between them, given how they were pitted against each other with constant comparisons. While she had been a free bohemian spirit, her brother had transformed into a razor-sharp lawyer.  

"I do, Dan," she said. "But, I don't think dad has mellowed towards James."

"You are his little girl. No guy is good enough for his daughter."

"Little girl? To be honest, he is disappointed in me. I haven't been his little girl in years," Amelia resented, fighting back the knot in her throat. "Thank God. They got you to fill the void. Imagine if I was their only child." 

Shocked, Dan cried, "Millie? Dad loves you. It was wrong of him to squash your aspiration as a writer, but he cares about you." Her brother stood up and engulfed her in a familial embrace. "I said nothing to James yesterday for your sake. But if he breaks your heart again, he will have to answer me."

Amelia's eyes became moist. "I have missed you so much. I thought you stopped caring about me."

"Never!" Daniel looked aghast. "I got caught up with the partnership at work, and then you left for Europe. But know this, I will always be there for you. You are the only sibling I have. I will support you, no matter what."

"How is Nora doing? Too bad, she couldn't make it." Amelia could see in her brother's eyes that he would move the mountain for his fiancée. Would James do the same? In her heart, she knew the answer. 

"She is bummed that she is missing the fun." Her brother brightened at the mention of the love of his life. "She texted me earlier today before her meeting in Toronto. By the way, Millie, dad is an old-fashioned kind of guy; I hope James finds the way to his own bed tonight."

Before she could say anything, a loud knock on the door interrupted them. Exchanging a bemused look with Daniel, she asked, "Did anyone order something?"

"Hello, anyone there?" A female voice demanded before the staccato banging started again. "Open up. Liam, are you sure this is the correct address?"

"What the hell." Daniel strode to the entry hallway with Amelia right at his heels. The door swung open to reveal a pretty blonde and a fair-haired guy with a devil-may-care attitude.