Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 419

Violet picked out a crisp blue pinstripe shirt at the mall, its fresh color making her think of Eugene. She texted him first; Eugene replied that he was still at campus, so Violet waited for him at a nearby café.

“I thought this color would really suit you. I hope you’ll like it,” Violet said, handing him the shopping bag.

Eugene, ever the polite one, didn’t inspect it closely. “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

“It’s nothing,” Violet replied, her eyes curving into a gentle smile. Eugene could hardly meet her gaze; a faint blush crept up his cheeks as he looked down.

Eugene was shy and a little awkward in social situations, so their conversation didn’t last long. As they parted, Violet’s smile lingered. “See you next time.”

But Eugene doubted there’d be a “next time.” Making friends had never come easily; he’d always had only a handful, and even fewer female friends. People called him a bookworm or a hermit behind his back, but it didn’t bother him. Everyone lived their own way—he was content with his.

That night, as Eugene set the shirt bag aside, he found a lipstick inside.

Just then, a message from Violet popped up:

*Hey, I seem to have lost a lipstick. Did it end up in your bag?*

Eugene set the lipstick carefully on the desk and replied:

*It’s here with me. Want me to mail it to you?*

*I must’ve dropped it in by accident—no need to mail it! How about I buy you dinner? And you can bring it then.*

Eugene’s first instinct was to decline; after just two brief meetings, dinner felt too forward. He was still considering how to politely refuse when her next message arrived:

*I really want to be friends with you. I know my leg makes people uncomfortable. If it bothers you too, just pretend I never asked.*

Eugene, who rarely made new friends, understood that longing for connection all too well. After a pause, he replied:

Lately, though, Lennon had sensed something different. He grinned, “So, are you seeing someone?”

Eugene’s gaze darted away, flustered. “…It’s not even official yet.”

“Well, it won’t get official if you don’t make a move,” Lennon teased, though a note of seriousness lingered. “If you like her, don’t drag your feet. Let her know.”

Emboldened, Eugene bought a bouquet of roses for Violet. Her eyes lit up with surprise when she saw them, but the brightness faded almost immediately.

“Eugene, thank you… Really. But about my leg…”

“I don’t care about that,” Eugene said quickly.