Page 40 of Wait For You
Adam smoothed my hair away from my face with one hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
I had no idea how he knew, but he knew I needed a minute. “I’ll wait here.” He held the bathroom door open for me. A moment later, I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. My mascara was smeared on my cheeks, my nose was running, and my eyes were puffy.
I quickly splashed water on my face and wiped the mascara off my cheeks. I ran hot water over my hands to warm me and get rid of the cold, tingly feeling. On the heels of another deep breath, I dried my hands and stepped out of the bathroom.
Adam was leaning against the wall beside the door.
“Thank you,” I said.
His eyes held mine. “I’m here whenever you need me.”
He walked me out to my car where it was parked across the street behind Fireweed headquarters. Once I was in the car and buckled in, he rested his hand on the inside edge of my door. “When can I see you again?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Adam
One month later
* * *
Tessa: Please.
My lips curled as I read her one-word reply to my question about whether I could stop by tonight.
I was deeply in love with Tessa and wanted to see her every night. As it was, I saw her almost every night. On the nights Eric was with his father, I spent those entirely with her. Usually, she came to my place.
I hadn’t spoken of love since the time I told her I thought I was falling in love with her. But I knew I loved her. Kenan had taken to teasing me about it on the regular.
Case in point, he came walking into my office at that moment.
“How’s Mr. In Love?” he asked when he plunked down in the chair across from my desk.
A chuckle rustled in my throat. “You sound pretty confident about that,” I quipped.
He considered me for a few beats, his smile fading. “I am. The more important question is, are you?”
My heart gave a hard thump, almost as if to answer. “I am.”
“So what are you gonna do about it?”
I let out a short sigh. “Isn’t that the kicker? I’m not sure how Tessa feels, and I don’t know what to do about Rich. She’s afraid if he knows we’re involved that he’ll make things hell for Eric. For obvious reasons, I don’t want that.”
“Of course not,” Kenan returned. “Maybe you should talk to Colin.”
I leaned back in my chair, rocking a pen between my fingers. “I don’t think Tessa would appreciate that. I don’t think she would mind me asking him something, but I don’t want to be overbearing and act like I know what’s best.”
“Here’s an idea: tell her you love her, tell her you want this to be a real deal, and walk through that fire together.”
I looked at him for a long moment before a wondering laugh followed. “You make a good point. That’s probably what I should do.”
“It is what you should do. I’m not saying Rich can’t make her life hell. But Colin is a damn good attorney. If shit goes sideways, the town loves you. Every now and then, it’s good to be a member of the Cannon family.”
Before I could reply, he added, “And people like us even more because fucked-up shit has happened in our family, so they don’t think we have it easy. Plus, you’re everybody’s favorite.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”