Chapter 24
Amelia’s POV
The house was unusually quiet when I left my room. Leyla was curled on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, her eyes fixed on her phone screen.
“I’m rushing to the grocery store,” 1 announced, slipping into my sneakers as I grabbed my bag from the side table. “Does anyone want anything?”
Leyla didn’t even glance up. “Nope.”
I shook my head, amused but not surprised. She’d probably been in the middle of some endless group chat drama.
“Mummy, can you get me my favorite flakes?” Scarlett piped up. She was laying down on the rug with her coloring book, crayons scattered like confetti around her.
I smiled at her, my heart softening. “Of course, honey. Is that all?”
“Yup,” she said cheerfully, not even looking up from the princess she was coloring.
“Okay. Anything for you.” I reached down to kiss the top of her head before turning to my mother. “Do you need anything. Mama?”
She adjusted her glasses, her hands folded in her lap as she sat in her favorite armchair. “Nothing, but my medication needs a refill.”
“Got it,” I said with a nod. “I’ll pick them up on my way back.”
“Thank you, darling,” she said with a faint smile, though I didn’t miss the slight weariness in them.
“See you guys in a bit.”
I grabbed the keys from the key holder,
and stepped outside.
By the time I pulled into the lot and grabbed a cart, I noticed how empty the place was. Midday errands had their perks, no long lines, no bustling crowds.
I strolled through the aisles, humming faintly under my breath. My cart was filling slowly with vegetables, milk, bread, nothing exciting. When I reached the cereal section, I paused, comparing two brightly colored boxes. Scarlett’s flakes were easy to grab, but my eyes lingered on the other boxes. Maybe I could try something new for her? Or maybe just keep it safe.
I was still debating when something caught my attention.
At the far end of the aisle, two tall figures stood. My eyes locked on one of them..
I froze.
Edmund.
What on earth was he doing here? Since when did Edmund Montgomery, wealthy, untouchable, larger–than–life Edmund do his own grocery shopping?
My heart picked up, panic kicking in before any sense of reason could. Without thinking, I ducked low, pressing myself
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4:04 pm P p M M
Chapter 24
against the shelf. I peeked once, then quickly ducked back down, my pulse racing.
God, please don’t let him have seen the.
But when I cautiously turned to peek again, all I saw were a pair of polished shoes. My gaze traveled up. Tailored trousers, a perfectly fitted shirt, broad shoulders.
My stomach dropped.
Edmund.
“Hey, Amelia,” he said, voice low and surprisingly calm, like catching me crouched in a grocery aisle was the most natural thing in the world.
I laughed nervously, standing upright and brushing off imaginary dust. “Edmund… hi.”
He studied me with that knowing smile almost like he could see straight through me. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I lifted a brow, feigning nonchalance.
“Hiding?” he countered smoothly.
“No one!” The words tumbled out too quickly. I snatched the two boxes of cereal into my arms. “I was just… checking which cereal to get for…”
“For?” he prompted, tilting his head.
I forced a chuckle, shrugging. “Never mind.”
He let out a low hum, clearly unconvinced. “Okayyy…” he drawled, dragging out the word with playful suspicion. Then his tone softened. “Are you done with your shopping? Maybe we could grab something to eat together?”
I blinked. Was he serious? “Yeah… I think so. Just have to choose between these two cereals. Pretty hard choice, you know.”
“Is it for an adult or a kid?” he asked, lips twitching.
“A kid, obviously.”
“Then take the blue one. Kids love them.”
I gave a snort. “And you know that, how?”
He leaned casually against the cart. “Lewis’s sister has a kid, remember?”
“Oh, right.” I nodded slowly, recalling. “That’s true. I remember.”
“That’s the reason we’re here anyway,” he said, gesturing toward Lewis at the end of the aisle, distracted with his phone. “Lewis is having them over for the weekend, so he dragged me here to get some groceries.”
“Ah, I see.” I placed the box in my cart and gripped the handle. “Well, I better get going. I need to drop by the pharmacy for my mother’s prescription.”
His expression softened. “How is she, by the way?”
“She’s good. Thanks to you, actually.”
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Chapter 24
He waved a hand dismissively. “That’s fine.” Then just like that, he began walking with me toward the checkout.
“So, how about my offer?” he asked again.
“What offer?”
“To grab a bite together,” he stated.
“I thought you came with Lewis?” I tried, hoping to dodge his persistent invitation.
“Yeah. He should be somewhere,” he replied carelessly, clearly unbothered. “So, what do you say?”
I shook my head, unloading items onto the belt. “I don’t think that will be possible, Mr. Montgomery.”
He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “There you go again with the ‘Mr. Montgomery‘ thing, Amelia.”
“The total is one hundred and eighty–nine dollars and fifteen cents,” the cashier said.
I reached into my bag for my card, but before I could hand it over, Edmund slid his card in instead.
“You really don’t have to,” I protested.
“It’s fine. My treat.” He gave me that insufferably charming smile. “So? What do you say?”
The cashier packed the groceries while I muttered, “Thank you.”
I turned to Edmund, forcing a polite smile. “Some other time, maybe. Have a nice day, sir.”
I pushed the cart briskly, ignoring his annoyed “But I’m not sir!” that followed me out the door.
My car wasn’t far. I loaded the groceries into the trunk, tucking Scarlett’s flakes carefully to one side. I’d just closed it when movement caught my eye.
And there he was.
Edmund Montgomery, billionaire CEO, perched on top of a car with a portable microphone in his hand like some kind of madman.
My mouth fell open. “Edmund, what are you doing?” I hissed, mortified.
But he was already speaking into the mic. His voice boomed across the lot. Heads turned instantly.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, as if he was delivering a speech at one of his gala events. “There’s a woman here I’ve been trying to convince to go out with me, but she’s been… let’s say, stubborn. So I’m asking for your help.”
The crowd chuckled, people stopping mid–stride with their shopping bags to watch.
My hands flew to my face. “Oh my God.”
“Amelia,” he continued dramatically, “will you-”
“Yes! I will!” I shouted up at him, frantic to end the spectacle. “Will you get down from there now?”
He grinned, wide and victorious, like a child who had just won an award.
What the hell? When did this man get so crazy?
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Chapter 24
And why–why, despite the embarrassment flaming across my checks, did a tiny part of me feel… flattered?
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
