Chapter 26 I'm Here
The next day moved slowly for Rebecca. Her mind kept going back to Amelia’s message. Even though she had agreed to meet her, her heart wasn’t calm.
She didn’t know what to expect. She didn’t even know if she was ready to face Amelia after everything she had done, after pushing her away because of Liam. But she knew she had to try. At least to apologize. She had to at least look her in the eye and acknowledge what she had ruined.
Driving to the cafe they had agreed on meeting, she used the time to rehearse everything she had thought of saying to Amelia.
She wanted to apologize for ending their friendship of over ten years cause of Liam, she wanted to apologize also for not listening to her when she had advised her.
The small bell above the cafe door chimed softly as Rebecca stepped inside. She paused for a moment, taking in the warm smell of freshly baked pastries. The place was bright, cozy, and filled with soft chatter. It had always been the kind of place she liked, warm, peaceful, and smelling like sugar and butter.
She hesitated a little at the entrance, took a deep breath, and walked in.
Her eyes widened slightly when she spotted Amelia sitting by the window. Amelia looked different now. She was more grown, more confident and even looked softer too.
She had always been pretty, but now she carried a kind of calm that Rebecca had never seen before. Rebecca wasn’t sure if it was because of time or because Amelia had finally found her place in life.
Amelia looked up and their eyes met. For a moment they both froze, years of silence and hurt hanging in the air between them. Then Amelia stood and gave a small, nervous smile as Rebecca walked closer to the table.
"Rebecca."
"Amelia."
They sat, and for a few seconds neither of them spoke. Rebecca didn’t even know where to start. So much had happened. So much she didn’t want to remember. She'd rehearsed everything she wanted to say to Amelia but somehow, sitting across from her now felt awkward and nothing she'd rehearsed seemed to still be in her head.
Amelia was the first to break the silence. "How are you? I’m really sorry for not reaching out all this time," she said immediately. "I should have checked on you. I should have tried harder——"
Rebecca shook her head quickly, stopping Amelia. "No… no, Amelia. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I was the one who cut you off. I pushed you away because of Liam. I should never have done that. You were only trying to help me," She said quickly, not wanting Amelia to take all the blame.
Nothing was Amelia's fault.
Her voice cracked a little at the end, and she looked down because she didn’t want Amelia to see the guilt in her eyes.
Amelia reached across the table gently, her hand holding Rebecca's own. "It’s okay, Rebecca. Really. I understand."
Rebecca swallowed. "How are you?" she asked, hoping to shift the conversation, but Amelia shook her head.
"No. I asked first." She said her tone was soft and careful. "How have you been… after everything? Losing your parents… and the breakup with Liam."
Rebecca looked at her in surprise. The only people who knew about her breakup were Richard, Vanessa, and Liam, and she hadn’t seen Amelia for a while, so there was no way Amelia could have learned about it from her.
"How did you know I broke up with Liam?" she asked. For a moment, she noticed panic flash across Amelia's eyes.
Amelia froze for a split second and swallowed. There was no way she was going to tell Rebecca that Vanessa was the one spreading the news. So, she gave the safest answer she could think of.
"Oh.. uhm——I… I saw Liam the other day,” she answered, forcing a small smile. “He told me. That’s actually why I reached out. I know how much you loved him. And I know you even stopped talking to me because of him. I just wanted to check on you and be sure you're fine."
Rebecca felt her chest tighten. Shame washed over her again. "I’m sorry," she whispered. "You warned me. You told me something wasn’t right. But, I didn’t listen."
“It’s fine, Becca. It's all in the past now,” Amelia said and Rebecca nodded, grateful that Amelia wasn't asking about what happened.
Perhaps, Liam had told Amelia she cheated. Rebecca thought.
Amelia on the other hand, looked at Rebecca, wondering if all Vanessa had said was true. Deciding to confirm, she cleared her truth.
“What about Nessa? I last saw her at the funeral too. Perhaps we should all hang out like old times,” she said but Rebecca immediately shook her head.
“I won't be available for a group hangout. You can hangout with her if you want,” Rebecca said, making Amelia frown.
“Why do you sound that way? Did you both fight?” she asked curiously. So, Vanessa was right. Rebecca was staying away from Vanessa.
Rebecca sighed, contemplating if she should tell Amelia about it or not. After a brief moment of silence, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Amelia, but it’s nothing I’d like to talk about right now.”
"It’s fine. Honestly," Amelia replied gently. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. And also, you should know that If you ever want to rebuild our friendship or if you need a frienc… I’m here. I always have been."
Rebecca blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Yes. Really."
A warmth spread through Rebecca’s chest. It was something she hadn’t felt in weeks. Comfort. Hope. Relief and Friendship.
"I’d like that," she said softly. "I want us to be friends again. And I promise… I won’t take it for granted this time."
She'd definitely need a need now that she could no longer keep Vanessa close.
Amelia smiled wider, and just like that, some of the old warmth between them returned.
They ordered pastries, cinnamon buns and milkshake for Rebecca and a chocolate cake and latte for Amelia, and began catching up.
As they talked, Rebecca realized how much she had missed having Amelia in her life. The easy laughter, the familiar comfort, the gentle honesty.
"So… what happened? Why did you and Liam break up? And how have you been holding up since after your parents died?" Amelia asked as Rebecca took a bite from her buns.
"Nothing much," she lied softly. "I’m just trying to adjust without my parents. Trying to get myself together. Everything will be fine."
Even if they were back to being friends, Rebecca wasn’t ready to tell her everything, especially not about Liam and Vanessa, Derek or her pregnancy or the stipulations in the will. Her heart wasn’t ready to trust completely. At least, not yet.
Amelia nodded slowly, though Rebecca could tell she wanted to ask more questions.
To avoid that, Rebecca quickly changed the topic.
"What about you? How have you been? What’s happening in your life?"
Amelia laughed softly. "Ah… nothing big. I’m still single. No one wants to marry me," she joked lightly. "So for now, I’m just focusing on myself and my career."
Rebecca raised a brow. "Your career? What do you mean?" She asked as she took a sip from her milk shake.
"You know this café?" Amelia said, looking around proudly. "It’s mine. I opened it last year. This is my place."
Rebecca’s eyes widened in pure admiration. "Are you serious? Amelia, this is amazing." she said, genuinely happy. "I’m so proud of you."
Amelia beamed. "I’ve been working on myself… trying to grow. Trying to build something."
Rebecca smiled softly. "You did well. Really. You did so well."
They continued talking, catching up on the little things and the big things, they talked about what was going on in their life some more.
Rebecca almost forgot the heaviness she had been carrying, until her phone vibrated on the table.
Both of them looked down at it and her heart dropped.
Mr Perkins was calling.
His name flashed boldly across the screen.
For a second, Rebecca froze. Her heart began to race and confusion clouded her thoughts.
Why was he calling her now?
Of all moments, why now?
She stared at the phone, and her breath hitched as the screen continued to light up with his name.
And just like that… all the peace she felt a few minutes ago slipped away again as she tried to wonder why he was calling.