Amelie drifted off to sleep in Liam's arms, the comfort of his embrace lulling her into a deep, dream-filled slumber.
In her dream, she was suddenly fifteen again. It was Christmas, and she was hiding in the living room of Richard's parents' home, crouched behind the couch, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
The soft flickering of the Christmas tree lights cast a warm, magical glow over the room, and she could hear the gentle crackle of the fireplace. Amelie held her hands against her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles as she watched Richard carefully place a beautifully wrapped gift under the tree.
Her heart soared at the sight. The thought of Richard thinking about her, of him choosing a gift just for her, filled her with a joy so pure and overwhelming that she felt like she might burst. She hugged her knees to her chest, her cheeks aching from the smile that refused to leave her face.
