Adam's List(53)

After I click a few shots, he steps forward, reaching for my phone. “Okay, your turn.”

“I have a better idea.” I lay on my back, resting my feet on the bottom of the mirror surface. “C’mon.”

Chuckling, Adam lays down just inches from me.

“Now look at the camera.” We make a series of varied faces throughout the pictures.

I knew Adam could be a lot of fun and not take himself so seriously, but I about bust a gut laughing at his outrageous gestures. Once I’m satisfied we have enough, I send one to Kelly.

Adam stands, reaching down to help me back to my feet. As I reach out to take it, he jerks his hand away. “Oops, no touching, remember?”

I stick out my lip in a pout, pretending to be offended even though I’m giggling. “So that’s how it’s going to be?” Popping back to my feet, I chase after him. “Since it was my rule, I’m going to be the one to break it!”

We run around like kindergarteners, laughing and screaming in a game of tag. A couple in their 30s walks past, gaping at our immaturity, but we don’t stop. We’ve thrown all our worries and inhibitions out the window to enjoy the moment.

I’ve reached a level of happiness I didn’t know existed before now.

I stir with a light tapping on the door leading to Adam’s room. “Jewels, you alive in there?” The clock on the nightstand reads 12:30.

I shoot out of bed, patting my wild hair down before opening the door between our rooms just a crack so he can see nothing more than my eyes. “Hey, yeah, just jumping in the shower.”

The sexiest of grins ruptures his face. He looks freshly showered and dressed. “I tried to text you earlier this morning to see if you wanted to go down for something to eat. You must’ve been in a fun coma.”

“Are you kidding me? After the amazing night we had? That level of excitement requires a minimum of twelve hours’ rest. Mark my words, you’ll be crashing later this afternoon.”

His eyebrows raise. “So are you coming to the Navy Pier with me, or should I leave you for another twelve hours of sleep?”

I open the door wider, allowing him to see my mangled hair. “Ready to be seen in public with me looking like this, or do you want to give me a few minutes to get ready?”

“It doesn’t matter. You always look great.”

His words cut through the spirit of our playful banter like a samurai sword. The well-meaning look in his eyes doesn’t help, either. Damn it, I’m really into this guy.

Backing away, I say, “Twenty minutes,” and slam the door in his face.

I lean against the door, willing my heart to stop racing. I’m done caring about his secret. Whatever it may be, I’m sure I can handle it. Besides, nothing says I have to allow myself to actually love him. There are still a plethora of other enjoyable things we can do without bringing those complicated emotions into the picture.

TEN

It’s a bright, sunny afternoon in Chicagoland. I stand at Adam’s side near the front of the boat, trying to take in the skyline with a new set of eyes. The last time I was on one of these little cruises around the city, I was barely old enough to see over the railing, so it’s sort of easy to do. Except I’m crazy aware every time Adam bumps into me, or breathes into my face, or taps on my shoulder to point something out in another direction.

Adam takes a deep breath beside me. “You’re right, this is amazing.”

I nod, trying to convince myself that a reenactment of Titanic would be completely inappropriate, although it would feel oh so good to be in his arms. The “no touching” rule was one of my least intelligent ideas.

Adam nudges me with his elbow. “Hey. I’ve been thinking. I want to ask you about something Kelly said the other day.”

“I thought we agreed the whole hot seat scenario was not to be revisited.”

“This is just a straight up question.”

I feel his smoldering stare and decide not to face him.

“What is this burning question inquiring minds want to know?”

“What did she mean about seeing the ‘old’ you? What were you like before? What changed?”

“Those are three questions. You suck at math.”

“Jewels, come on. What is it?”

I turn to lean against the railing, my eyes finally coming up to meet his. The only person I can think of who may have eyes that could compete are the beautiful orbs of Bradley Cooper.

“She was referring to my less than stellar days when I was in the habit of raining on her parade. Pooping on the party. You know, being a stick in the mud. Like I said before, I had a hard time last year. I did a good job of hiding it with sarcasm and booze. I was known to drink myself into a stupor.”