A Kiss At Midnight (Delilah and Caelum) novel Chapter 120

WORSE THAN A BROKEN HEART

Diner went better than I expected

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By the time everyone had finish cating, the conversation had somehow manage to move from school to old family stories, then to embarrassing childhood memories that Caelum clearly wished had never been brought up.

Olivia being aware of some of which, but that was besides the point. Despite her presence, dinner had been great and had spent most of it laughing so much that my cheeks actually hurt.

I mean, right after recovering from Caelum’s teasing touch. Thankfully, I was able to regain my composure before any one noticed.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I watch as Amelia leans back in her chair, looking around the table with a satisfied smile. “Well, I think that went rather well.”

“It did.” I agreed, reaching for my glass, “everything was amazing, by the way.”

She smiles at this. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“No, seriously. I think I ate enough for two people,” this makes Matthew chuckles, while she shakes her head, amused before adding. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was worried I’d made too much.”

“Yes, you did, Mum,” Caelum said, leaning back in his chair, “I thought we were having a feast or something.”

“Oh, shush, will you?” She warmly scolds, “It was barely a feast,” glancing around the table, her smile softening. “I’m just glad everything suited both of your tastes, I wanted to make sure you girls enjoyed it.”

My eyes driftstoward Olivia as she gave Amelia a small smile but didn’t say anything. She had been surprisingly quiet for most of dinner. Aside from the occasional comment or laugh,, she hadn’t really said much.

I didn’t think too much of it as the conversation gradually fades, leaving us sitting in a comfortable silence as everyone finishes their meals.

For a few peaceful seconds, there was nothing but the quiet clink of cutlery against plates when Olivia’s phone suddenly buzz against the table and she glances down at the screen, whatever she saw made her expression shift slightly

It was subtle, barely noticeable, but I did

“Everything okay?” Amelia asked and she quickly lock her phone, looking up.

“Yeah. I’m sorry, I completely forgot I had something coming up tonight.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Something important?”

“Unfortunately,” she gave him an apologetic smile, “I promised I would help a relative of mine with something before she leaves town.”

Amelia waved a hand, “Then you’d better go.”

“I hate leaving early.”

“You’ve already stayed for dinner, we’re not going to hold you hostage,” this earns a soft laugh from the table while I let out a

small smile.

She pushes her chair back; reaching for her bag. “I really am sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Amelia said warmly, “Family comes first.”

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18 Tue, Sep 1 TOJ

A Kiss At Midnight

“I know,” she smiles at her before turning to look at Caelum, “See you on Monday.”

eah he replies.

Amelia gaze shifts toward him. “Caelum, sweetheart, why don’t you see Olivia out?”

ཆ་

“Sure,” he nods, getting to his feet, while Olivia smiles, waiting for him before they headed toward the door together, my eyes stays fixed on their backs.

They looked good together, almost too good

For a brief, stupid moment,, I wondered if maybe they really were a perfect fit for each other. The thought stung more than I wanted it to.

A sharp clink of plates snapping together pulls me from my thoughts and I blink, turning toward the table to find Amelia already stacking the plates, gathering them into a neat pile.

I immediately push my chair back. “I’ll help,” I say, reaching for the nearest plate, but she gently stops me.

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t be silly,” my attention drifts to her, “you’re my guest. I was the one who invited you over, and it wouldn’t be proper to have you handling the dishes.”

“But I don’t mind..”

“Nope,” she smiles warmly, taking another plate from the table, “Matthew and I have got it covered.”

Matthew nods from beside her. “Exactly, don’t worry about it.”

My lips parted to protest again, but Amelia was already pointing toward the living room, “Go on. Go sit down and relax for a bit.”

Amelia..”

“Shoo,” she waves me away with a playful smile and I shake my head, unable to stop myself from smiling.

“Fine.”

“Good girl,” she said, turning back to the dishes while I headed toward the living room, though my eyes instinctively flickers toward the front door.

I glanced toward the front door again, wondering how long could it possibly take to see someone out.

Unless he had decided to walk her home

I drop onto the couch, pulling out my phone instead, opening Instagram in an attempt to distract myself. Scrolling through reels, and was about scrolling through my third one when the door opens and Caelum walks inside, his gaze meeting mine ! in an instant.

“Hey..”I barely got the word out before he crosses the room, reaching for my hand, and pulling me gently to my teet. He tugs me toward the door as I follow behind him, completely confuse as he led me outside and around the side of the house toward the garage.

“What are we…” I didn’t get to finish my sentence again when his lips slamps into mine, knocking me out of my breath. He nibs, taste and devours my lips before his tongue explores my mouth.

My fingers instinctively reach for his neck,, holding them gently as I lean even closer to him, his chest now now against my ches as a small sound escapes from deep within my throat.

“I’ve been meaning to do this since you walked in,” he says softly, his hand moving to the small of my back, pulling me even

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1010 Tue, Sep 1

A KI A Midnight

more closer to him

body leaning into his chest, enjoying the feel of his hand against my back. But before the kiss could deepen even more. I’ wird myself to pull away with every restraint I could, looking up at the slight displease on his face.

Narrowing my eyes at him, fighting back a smile. “You’ve gotten quite bold, haven’t you?” Referring to just now and his act during dinner.

He grins, leaning closer, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “I’ve been learning from the best.”

“Oh, really?”

“Definitely,” his eyes briefly flicked over my dress before returning to my face, “besides, you in that dress makes it very difficult to remember how to behave,” he gave me a playful squeeze, making me squeal and shove him away.

I glanced down at myself, then back at him with a teasing smile. “I sure do look good tonight.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Look at you getting all cocky,” he grins, earning a playful smack on the shoulder from me.

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