“I’m sure, Sara. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these last few months, but one thing was always clear to me. I love you, and I don’t want to live without you. You’re mine and I want the whole world to know it,” he said kissing my neck, my face, and my lips.
“I love you, too. I’ve made a lot of changes in my life these last few months. You may not love the new Sara.”
“Unless you became an ax murderer, I know I’ll still love you. Hell, even then I’d love you. Besides, I know all about these changes. I read your blog.”
“You read my blog?”
“Of course. Just because we agreed not to communicate didn’t mean I wouldn’t read your blog. Or watch your interviews. Or stare at your picture a thousand times a day.”
We began to kiss, but before we could go any further, I stopped him. “What did you tell my brother?”
He paused, and I could sense even in the dark he was thinking of the right way to phrase it. “I told Seth I’ve been in love with you since we were kids and I had screwed up in my typical fashion. I couldn’t live without you.”
“He bought it?” I teased.
“Hook, line, and sinker. He called Emily into the room, filled her in on our story, and she gave me the idea to lock us into the den.”
“We’re locked in?” I yelled a little too loudly.
“More like they’re locked out.”
“This idea of plunging me into the darkness. I’m assuming you told them about our kiss at their wedding?”
“Yes. Emily asked me when things really got started between us. Somehow she sensed Israel wasn’t the first time.” His fingers massaged my neck and started their descent down my body. It felt so good, I wanted to stop talking, but I couldn’t allow myself to become distracted until we settled absolutely everything.
“Adam, who answered your cell phone the night we got back?”
Silence.
I waited patiently for his answer, not sure if I could handle the truth.
Finally, in what seemed like minutes, although it was more like seconds, he answered, “Jenny.”
I sat up. “Jenny, your ex-girlfriend, Jenny?”
“Yes, but it’s not like you think.” Adam stood and turned on the lights. My eyes hurt from the abrupt change and I squinted as I tried to adjust to the brightness.
Then I remembered I was completely naked in front of him for the first time in three months. I attempted to cover myself with the clothes, but Adam grabbed my wrists.
“Don’t cover yourself. I think you’re beautiful and I’ve missed looking at you,” he said, his eyes turning dark as they studied my body from head to toe. I felt myself turning red under his penetrating gaze.
He got on his knees and kneeled before me, taking my hands in his and looking me in the eyes. “Nothing happened. I swear. I had been talking to her before our trip to Israel and she offered to pick me up from the airport.”
“Were you dating her again?” I asked, keeping my eyes trained on his face. If I saw his naked body, I’d never be able to walk away from him.
“We hadn’t gotten that far yet. We were just friends, but I think if you hadn’t been on the Israel trip, I would have gotten back together with her eventually,” he told me honestly.
I was beginning to hate honesty. The idea of him loving anyone else hurt me. But I’d had Caleb waiting for me. Then I remembered something Alison had once said to me. You can’t blame yourself for your feelings.
“Did anything happen between you when we got back?”
“No, absolutely not. She could tell how upset I was as soon as she picked me up. I didn’t want to tell her about you, but she’d been such a big part of my life, she knew me too well. I couldn’t hide anything from her. She wasn’t thrilled, but she understood, and she came to my apartment to console me. Plus, she had been cat sitting for me and had to get her things. We turned on the television while she packed and that’s when I saw you. You and Caleb.”
His voice broke as he said Caleb’s name. I hadn’t realized just how badly I had hurt him. I had been too angry at him to care.
“I owe you an apology. I had no idea Caleb and the news crew would be at baggage waiting for me. I didn’t want to say yes, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings while we were on camera, but as soon as they finished, I told him I couldn’t marry him. He walked out right then and there. When I found out it aired live, I called you. I heard Jenny’s voice and I lost it. That’s why I lied to you and said Caleb and I were engaged. I should have never lied to you. I wanted to hurt you and I’m sorry. I will never do anything like that again, I promise you.”