Page 92 of In The Dark

Jo frowned. “Are you serious?”

“Only a little. I think a part of me still expects you to change your mind.”

Jo leaned forward and kissed Amelia slowly, but with enough certainty to answer every doubt. “I’m not changing my mind, babe. I’m in this with you.”

That hope bloomed in Amelia’s chest once again. “I’ll be back later. I promise.”

Jo gripped the back of Amelia’s neck and pulled her in for another kiss. Sleepy, warm, and slow. A goodbye that neither of them wanted to face.

Once Amelia had brushed her teeth, splashed her face with water, and gathered her things, she met Jo in the living room again, pouting ever so dramatically as she snuggled under a blanket. “If you’re trying to make me feel bad for leaving, it’s working.”

“Then that means you just have to stay. Tough.” Jo shrugged, but that glint was in her eye. “There’s plenty of room for you under this blanket.”

God, Amelia wished she could, she really did, but work wouldn’t wait for much longer. She’d already had enough to get through before the shit had hit the fan. “Then save me a space for later.” Amelia leaned over the back of the couch and kissed Jo’s forehead. “You should get ready, too. You’ve got work.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She flopped back against the cushions. “Don’t remind me.”

Amelia gave her a look. “And for the love of God, brush your hair if you have any video calls today.”

“Nope. If anyone asks, I had wild sex with the woman I love last night…and I’m not even sorry about it.”

Amelia both softened and lit up at that. Jo hadn’t outwardly said she loved her since the dark room. “I’m so grateful to have you, Jo.” Amelia lingered for another moment, then slipped out of the door, her heart lighter than it had been for as long as she could remember. As she closed the door and pressed her back to it, Amelia angled her face towards the sun and smiled.

Life…is changing.

Jo strolled around her flat,freshly showered and with a coffee in hand, averyunprofessional bun sitting on top of her head. She’d promised herself she’d start work twenty minutes ago—she usually started earlier since she had nothing else to do with her life—but instead, she was staring at the last message from Amelia and grinning like a fool. This morning had been…delightful? Terrifyingly real? All she’d ever wanted…

Home. Already miss you x

Jo had read it seven times. Maybe eight.

She flopped down at her desk and finally opened her laptop, pulling up a half-finished gallery for a new client she wasworking with. The couple had insisted on a lavender filter and pastel overlays, but Jo would probably have a word with them. They looked like ghosts in every photo.

Her phone buzzed again. She reached for it instantly.

I’m bored now. Save me from myself x

Jo smiled. She couldn’t believe Amelia had just spent the last two nights here at her flat with her. That was something she’d only ever imagined in her wildest dreams.

I’ve just sat down to work. I also need saving x

A second later, Jo sent another message.

Any sign of ‘you know who’ hanging around?

She hoped Amelia had been free to roam her own home this morning, but you never knew with Callum. He said one thing, then did another.

No sign of him this morning. I haven’t checked if he’s taken everything. I was too busy thinking about you x

Jo took her bottom lip between her teeth, fighting back the smile desperate to break out. She’d spent every second thinking about Amelia since she’d left, too.

Crazy, isn’t it? Where we’re at with one another now x

Jo sighed and rested back against her chair. She couldn’t focus on work this morning, but at least it was her photography work and not her full-time job. She couldn’t afford to start slacking there.

I prefer to call it insanely beautiful x

Jo groaned. Amelia was insanely beautiful, and she knew it. She had to.