Chapter 35

Amanda Pov.
By the time I get to Ron's auto shop, I'm already mentally exhausted from the information I've received and from how much I've thought about it on the way, so I'm not in the mood for anything.
Tim sees me struggling with my luggage and comes towards me.
- I'm so glad to see you again, doll. I'm sorry you had to suffer. He says in a calm voice and I just nod. Let me help you.
Tim takes the bag from my hand and I follow him inside.
- Where is Ron? I'm asking him because I don't want to jump into other discussions.
-Boss, the doll is looking for you. Tim yelled so loud that one of my ears started ringing.
Ron walks out of the office with a smile on his face, but then one quick glance at me and the smile immediately disappears. He walks up to Tim and takes my bag from his hand, then motions for me to go into the office.
- Thank you, Tim. Ron says following me into the office then closes the door behind him.
He leaves the suitcase on the floor and then takes my face in his hands, looking at me intently.
-You cried... He says, clenching his jaw. Why have you cried?
I let my bag fall from my shoulder to the floor and cling to his chest, hugging him. He immediately wraps his arms around my shoulders pulling me closer to him.
-Are you ok? He continues to ask me, and I lift my head from his chest without breaking the hug.
-I've had better days. I'll be fine, don't worry. I say and he kisses my forehead without warning and I gasp.
-Are you telling me what happened too?
I nod and after taking a healthy breath of air into my lungs, I begin to tell him everything I learned from my parents. I can tell by his expression that he is just as nervous as I am. When I finish telling my story I sit on his desk while he is still standing in front of me ruminating on everything I told him.
-I know it's too short and maybe your plans don't match mine, but can I stay with you?
Ron frowns at first, then steps closer to me placing his hands on my shoulders and looks into my eyes as if he can see into my soul.
-My dear Amanda... You don't need to ask me something like that. You can stay with me as long as you want.
I feel relieved to hear that and smile widely. I never questioned our friendship, but I had to ask him this to make sure I wasn't upsetting him. Maybe he meets a nice woman and wants to bring her to him. I wouldn't want to confuse them.
-Thank you. I say simply and he wets his bottom lip with his tongue.
My attention is distracted by this movement to his lips and immediately my throat goes dry. Ron notices this and his touch grows firmer on my shoulders. I moisten my lips without knowing why, and our faces come so close that only a millimeter separates our lips from touching. My heart races with emotion and I close my eyes. I don't know why I act like this. It's not like we just kissed for the first time.
Our lips lightly touch. Like a touch of a butterfly and Ron immediately pulls back when his phone rings.
Damn it…
Ron bites his bottom lip pulling away from me slightly and I get off the desk.
-Yes. He said harshly answering the phone. I am... She's with me... Tomorrow?... Thank you.
Ron ends the call and puts the phone in his pocket, then tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear.
-Tomorrow you have to go to the police station to identify those whom the police managed to catch. Do you want me to come with you?
-Please.
He just nods, not taking his eyes off my face, then clears his throat by taking a step back.
- Let me take you to the apartment. He says taking my suitcase and bag, which I forgot was on the floor, and leaves the office with me following.
-Tim, I'm about an hour away.
- No problem, boss. Have a nice day, doll.
I greet Tim in turn and then get into Ron's car. After putting my things in the trunk, he gets behind the wheel and we go on the road.
I turn my gaze to the window and look out, but my mind is elsewhere.
-Do you think the police caught Ghost? I ask thoughtfully and hear Ron sigh.
-I would have no way of knowing. Please stop thinking about it.
I turn my head towards him and examine him.
I don't know why I'm doing this lately...
His eyebrows are drawn together because he's frowning, his lips are pressed into a straight line, and his hands are firmly gripping the steering wheel.
-I can't help but think that if Ghost had been raised by my mother, he wouldn't be the person he is now. It would have been good.
-Amanda...
-What? I have a right to think of him that way. I'm not saying he's not guilty. I'm just saying he wasn't properly mentored by his father.
Ron places his palm over my leg causing me to forget my train of thought.
-You are too good for this world. He says starting to make circles with his index finger on my skin.
My breath hitches at the sight of his hand on my leg and the fact that I'm wearing his shirt.
I try to collect my thoughts so that I can continue the discussion and not fall into an awkward silence.
-Are you saying I should be bad? Don't you like that I'm nice?
Ron laughs like I've told a joke, then pulls his hand off my leg to shift gears.
-Do not get me wrong. The fact that you are kind and only see the goodness in people made me fall in love with you from the start, but there are people who don't deserve your kindness, and Ghost is in that category.
I don't know what he said next because I got stuck on the "I fell in love with you" part, and looking at Ron I can tell he didn't mean it out loud.