Dare to Forgive(10)

“What are you drinking?”

“Oh, I’m good actually. I’ve been sipping this all night.”

“Maybe you need something different?” he asked.

“Yeah, like one of those girly drinks your friend Marlena is sipping,” Caleb, Steve’s brother, suggested as he nodded toward Marlena where they’d just left. Then his eyes roamed over her body again. She felt self-conscious and she also realized that she wasn’t attracted to any of these men.

“I’m good for now, but thank you,” she replied. She glanced to the right, back to where she had seen Leo and Will but they were no longer there. She felt disappointed and then she felt like an idiot. Why was she paying attention to them and worried about where they were? Leo and Will were all wrong for her and they were out of her league. She took a sip of wine and listened to Mercedes correct the story that Taylor was explaining of a recent burglary attempt not far from where she lived. They had gotten some new evidence and even a lead in the case.

Adel couldn’t help but to smile. As much as Mercedes tried to hide her attraction to Taylor, Kurt, and Warner, they tried even harder making it obvious that all four of them were interested.

“Good evening, everyone.” She heard the voice and felt the hands on her shoulders at the same time. She nearly spilled her drink.

Will approached along with Leo as Will pressed up against her back.

The men greeted him and Leo as Leo took position right next to her and winked, then smiled before he took a sip of his beer.

Will’s hands massaged her shoulders and then she felt his lips next to her ear.

“I got that fan we talked about. I’ll meet you at your place at eleven?” he asked but it seemed Steve had heard him. Steve squinted his eyes and Adel could hardly breathe having Will this close to her and smelling so good. His hands felt amazing on her shoulders and she wished she were wearing something that covered them completely instead of the tank style blouse.

She looked at him and nodded her head.

“If you’re sure it’s no problem. I mean if you have plans or something it’s no big deal. I could get someone to help me install it.”

“The fan? Heck, Will, if you’ve got some hot date or want to take your boat out for the day, I’d be happy to help Adel install a new fan in her bedroom. It’s the bedroom right?” Steve asked and held her gaze. She could tell he was flirting as usual, but Will didn’t find it amusing and nor did Leo as Will squeezed her shoulders again and then released them and stood on her other side.

“No. We’ve got this covered. Adel comes before everything else,” he said and she looked at Will like he was crazy, but Will had that firm Ferguson expression on his face that made her pull her bottom lip between her teeth and wonder why he was being so intense. His tone was different than when they were in the office.

She watched expressions exchange between all of the men. Then suddenly Steve looked affected and then looked at Will and Leo then back to Will.

“Since when,” Steve asked in regards to her coming before everything.

“For quite some time,” Leo replied.

“Do we need to discuss this in private?” Will asked, placing his hand at her lower back.

Adel locked gazes with Mercedes, who looked shocked. What was Adel missing here? It was like some silent conversation was going on about her and she was the one out of the loop.

“Might be,” Steve replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“Really? Because I’m thinking there isn’t anything to discuss at all,” Leo said with attitude.

“What’s going on here? Did I miss something in this conversation?” she asked.

The men seemed to all rein in their anger and their expressions softened.

“Not at all, Adel. So what do you say? Girlie drink?” Steve asked her.

“No, I’m good, really, but thank you, and thank you for offering to help with the fan, but considering Will got it I guess it makes sense for him to install it.”

“Yeah, I guess it does,” Steve said and then looked Will over, giving him the evil eye.

She looked at Mercedes and shrugged her shoulders. Mercedes smiled.

“What time will you be done installing the fan, Will? Adel and I have plans to hit the lake for some sun and relaxing time,” Mercedes asked him.

“No more than an hour,” he replied. Then looked Adel over. “Maybe a little longer.”

Adel felt her cheeks warm. It was instant but that was the effect Will had on her.

“That sounds like fun. Are you ladies headed to the lake near Marlena’s place?” Warner asked.

“Yes, you know it?” Adel asked.