A Year to Remember(65)

“If you change your mind, you can trust me, Sara. Maybe I could help,” he offered.

“I don’t think anyone can help, but thanks.”

“I’m sure Caleb was thrilled you two aren’t talking.”

“Why would Caleb be thrilled?”

“It was pretty obvious he didn’t approve of her sexual orientation.”

“He’s never said anything prejudiced to me,” I defended. I didn’t want to admit to Adam that even though Caleb hadn’t said anything outright against lesbians, I’d gotten the same impression as Adam.

“How are things going with him by the way?”

“I thought you weren’t supposed to know anything about him, remember?”

“Just answer the question, and I promise not to ask you anymore.”

“He asked me to marry him,” I admitted quietly.

“Did you say yes?”

I didn’t have the heart to point out he had just promised not to ask me any other questions.

“I told him I needed time to think. That’s what I’m doing here.”

He swallowed hard and took my hand in his. “Give me a chance, Sara.”

We arrived at our first stop of the tour. I felt overwhelmed by Adam’s request. I didn’t know what to say or do. I ignored it, pretending I didn’t hear it and left him behind while I clung to Hannah and Alison.

When we returned to the bus, he staked his claim and sat next to me again. I sighed in acquiescence, not wanting to cause a scene.

“Did I give you enough time to come up with an answer?”

I decided to play dumb. “What are you talking about?”

He gritted his teeth in anger over my lack of acknowledgement of his earlier request. “You and me. I’m sick of playing this game with you, Sara. It’s gone on for long enough.”

My heart slammed in my chest. “What game are you talking about, Goldman?” I said, trying to sound casual.

“Adam! Call me Adam! The game we’ve played since high school. Pretending we’re not attracted to each other. Pretending we’re not jealous when we see each other with a date,” he growled.

“Adam, I, uh ...” I couldn’t deny it. I looked out the window.

“Tonight, after our evening program, I want to talk to you. Alone. Would you come to my room?” he quietly asked.

I knew if I went to his room, we’d make love. I hesitated before answering, not because I didn’t know how to answer, but because I didn’t want him to think he’d won me over that easily. I turned to him. “Yes, I’ll come to your room.”

He smiled at me. “I’d get some rest right now, while you can.”

Heat spread throughout my body as I considered the implications of his words. I nodded and closed my eyes for the ride to our hotel.

I didn’t get one minute of sleep on the bus. Instead, I kept my eyes closed and considered all the reasons I shouldn’t go to Adam’s room. At the top of the list was Caleb. Even though we agreed we were taking a break, I cared for him. I was supposed to be in Israel deciding if I wanted to marry him or not.

Once I got to my room at the hotel, I quickly unpacked my toiletries and took a brief shower to wash the grime of travel off of me. I didn’t want to continue thinking about Caleb, but I couldn’t help it. I knew I should feel guilty over my plans with Adam for this evening. I didn’t.

Caleb would never know I cheated on him. If I said yes to his proposal, he’d be so happy he wouldn’t even care about what I did in Israel. If I said no, well, then it wouldn’t matter anyhow.

I could almost believe what was happening between Adam and I couldn’t be avoided even if I tried. I’ve wanted him for so many years I didn’t dare fight him on this. I needed to get him out of my system once and for all.

I sat with Hannah, Alison, and David at dinner, as well as two others introduced by Hannah as Lauren and Gabe. Alison and Gabe seemed to hit it off much to Hannah’s chagrin. I got the impression Hannah may have also liked Gabe. Meanwhile, David spent the entire dinner hitting on me. Adam sat on the other side of the room surrounded by a bunch of girls I hadn’t met yet.



I knew I had no reason to feel jealous. I considered going over to Adam and kissing him on the lips in order to mark my territory. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing I felt jealous.

I leaned into David, laughing at his terrible jokes while making sure I touched his arm every now and then. I caught Adam’s eye, and he was not happy. In fact, I worried he might come over and punch out David.

That made me extremely pleased.

“Are you?” David asked. I must have missed his question, too engrossed in watching Adam to listen.