by Jacob Chance
“Hey, Adam,” Danika calls out as I sink down into the vacant side of the booth.
“How are the two of you doing?” My gaze swings between her and Rex.
Danika smiles, gazing at my older brother. Her absolute happiness practically oozes from her pores. “Things are wonderful.”
Rex presses a kiss to her temple and then faces me. “What she said.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You know, since you came into my brother’s life, he’s a lot more tolerable.”
“Hey, I won’t deny it. I could be a dick sometimes,” Rex admits.
“You were a dick most of the time, bro. But I’d rather deal with you at your worst than anyone else.”
“That’s sweet,” Danika says.
“Hey. He said I was a dick. How is that sweet?”
“Sorry I’m late.” Roxanne appears at the side of the table. I wasn’t aware she was coming. My night is looking up.
“No worries,” Danika tells her.
Exiting the booth, I gesture for her to slip inside first. She scoots over to the far side, and I take the space next to her. Her soft floral perfume wraps around me, teasing my nose with the alluring scent. My eyes glide over her shiny hair and flawless face, reminding me of how feminine she is. Even her fingernails are painted a fire engine red.
“What’s going on? You look like you’re about to bust if you don’t share something,” Roxanne addresses Dani.
Now that she mentioned it, Dani does look like she’s excited about something.
“Rex and I may have chosen our wedding date.”
“Congratulations,” I say.
Rocky shoos me away with her hand. “Never mind him, when’s the date?”
“January 28th.”
Rocky’s eyes bulge. “This January? As in a little over six months away?”
“That’s the one,” Rex confirms.
Roxanne leans forward, elbows on the table. “Oh my God. How do you expect to have a wedding set up that quickly?”
Dani giggles. “It’s going to be a really small affair.”
Roxanne narrows her eyes. “How small?”
“Both of our immediate families and a few friends.”
“Nice.” I nod.
Roxanne hits my arm. “Stop agreeing with everything. You’re supposed to challenge her.”
Huh?
“She’s an adult. Why would I question something she wants?”
“That’s what friends do. They make sure your decisions are well thought out so you don’t have regrets later,” Roxanne explains, like I’m stupid for not knowing this.
I shift my thigh over until it’s touching hers. “That’s another difference between men and women—we don’t question each other’s decisions. We blindly support with no questions asked.”
“That’s just dumb. What if they made a bad decision and you know it?”
I give a half shrug. “I don’t say anything. It’s not my place. I still support them. It’s their choice, not mine.”
“That’s horrible. No wonder why men make such horrible decisions. They don’t get any help from their friends.”
“I don’t know how much help they’d be anyway,” Danika offers. “In my experience, two male brains are worse than one, not better.”
“Hey,” I jump in. “I’m a little insulted. My brother and I are highly intelligent men who are capable of making solid decisions together and on our own.”
Both of our female companions burst into laughter. Even Rex sniggers, which sort of kills my case.
“I’ve seen some of the decisions you’ve made.” Danika acts as if she’s cupping two enormous tits.
I smirk. “And your point is?”
18
Roxanne
Danika never mentioned Adam would be joining them. And as odd as it is, I need to admit to myself that finding him sitting in the booth wasn’t an unpleasant surprise. After our interactions the past few days, I think he might be growing on me.
The waitress drops off appetizers and a pitcher of beer, promising to return to take our orders.
“I hope you guys don’t mind, but we figured we’d order a few things while we were waiting. Dig in,” Rex tells us.
“This is gonna hit the spot.” Adam adds buffalo tenders and mozzarella sticks to his plate.
I do the same, grabbing a couple of fried raviolis too. Conversation dies off as we all focus on inhaling the delicious appetizers, but I can’t forget about the gorgeous man sitting next to me. And his thigh pressed to mine has me thinking things I shouldn’t be.
Watching him eat, his large hand wrapped around the fork, has me fantasizing about his touch and what it would feel like on my skin. Would his caresses be soft or hard, or a combination of both?
The fervor in which he enjoys the food on his plate calls up questions about his oral skills. Does he go downtown with such enthusiasm? Musing over it has my thighs squeezing together.
Adam’s head snaps toward me, catching my obvious ogling. “What are you thinking about?”
“Work.” I’m not admitting I was thinking about his tongue and what it could do to me.
“Bullshit. You were looking at me.”
“Yeah, I kind of zoned out worrying about something I forgot to double check.”
His left brow climbs skeptically. “If you say so.”
“I do.” I feel the need to confirm my lie; it must be my guilty conscience. Damn catholic guilt. It always gets the best of me.
The waitress comes by to take our orders, quickly slipping away again.
“Adam, how’s the Foxworth Building renovation going?” Rex asks.
“Good. I’ll be finishing up one of the bathrooms tomorrow and then I’ll start on the other next week.”
“We’re still on schedule at the Stuart’s, even though the electrical inspector held up the sheetrock guys for a day.”
“I bet that made you happy.” Adam grins mischievously.
“Oh, it did,” Danika jumps in. “I had to talk him off the ledge.”
“I wasn’t that mad,” Rex says.
“No, you weren’t. Those anger management skills really come in handy sometimes.” Dani winks at Rex.
“Who are you kidding? They help me on a daily basis.”
“I think it’s really admirable that you sought out counseling. So many are too proud to get help.”
“It’s not like he had a choice,” Adam retorts.
“He did have a choice, and he made the right one,” Danika strikes back.
“Come on. Don’t defend him so zealously. It takes the fun out of giving him shit.”
“Good.” Danika winks and pushes her chair back. “I need the ladies’ room.”
Rex stands, taking her arm. “I’ll walk you there.”
Once they’re gone, Adam tips his head toward me. “Rex can do no wrong in her eyes.”
“What do you expect? She loves him,” I justify.
“Is that what being in love means?”
I can’t quite tell if he’s being facetious or not. I decide to answer as if it’s a serious question. I mean, this is Adam here—he might not know the ins and outs of love and what loving someone means.
“Being in love means a lot of things. I’m hardly an expert on the subject, but I know how it’s supposed to be.”
“Have you ever been in love?” he questions.
I nod, drawing my lower lip between my teeth. Ugh. I should’ve known he’d ask me this and kept my mouth shut. No good deed goes unpunished. “I was engaged to get married.”
“What happened?” His attention is locked on me like a laser beam.
“He got cold feet, and I got my heart broken,” I say in my best carefree tone.
“Don’t do that.” He scowls.
“What?”
“Downplay your pain.”
How does he know to this day that it still stings to remember? “I’m not necessarily in pain. It’s been ten years, and I’m older and wiser.”
“The heart doesn’t seem to recognize the passage of time like we do,” he offers.
Coming from someone with his relationship history, his words are rather astute. “You know this from experience?” I ask.
“When we were in New Hampshire, I told you about my college girlfriend. I’m not still hung up on her, but there’s a part of me that’ll always want to remember the good times we shared, instead of the horrible way our relationship ended.”
“I get that. It’s better to focus on the positive and be grateful it’s over and done with. Is that why you’re such a manwhore now?”
A smile teases the edge of his lip. He shakes his head. “You and your labels.”
“If the shoe fits,” I quip.
“I never made a conscious decision to avoid relationships or marriage. I’m the way I am because it’s worked for me, and I’ve never met anyone who made me want more. If I meet someone who I’m crazy about, and I could see a future with them, then I’ll give it my all.”
“Your all? What’s that mean? No cheating for the first month?”
His gaze darkens and he leans closer. “I’ve never been unfaithful to a woman I was in a relationship with, and I never will be.”
“How are you going to make the transition from variety to only one person?”
“Did you listen to what I said? I’ve been faithful before.”
“I heard that, but it’s been years since you’ve had to be. How do you know it’ll be that cut and dried for you? You might miss the assembly line of women.”
“I know I won’t. Being committed to someone is like swearing a sacred oath. You can never break that person’s trust. And if you truly love them, you won’t. Loyalty is everything.” He points his emerald gaze at me. “Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t understand what being in love means.”
Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t understand what being in love means.
Adam’s words have been on repeat in my head all last night and through this morning. I’m ashamed at how I went on the attack and questioned his character. I assumed he’s always going to be an unattached playboy, and I shouldn’t have. He doesn’t owe me any explanation. His romantic history isn’t my business. I mean it is, but it isn’t. I slap my hand on my forehead. I’ve found myself in a predicament. Adam is nothing like he looks on paper. There’s so much more to who he is, and I haven’t given him enough credit when it comes to a lot of things.
Stepping off the elevator, I trek down the hallway to the bathroom Adam’s been working on, but he’s not there. I check the other bathroom and still have no luck. I’m disappointed. I wanted to ask him to lunch as a way of making up for my behavior last night.
Oh, well. I guess it’ll have to be another time. I’m starving, and since there’s a stack of work on my desk that I need to get back to, I better get moving.
Leaving the building, I slam into a wall of humidity, or at least it feels that way. The sun burns down on my bare shoulders with each step I take. Though a short walk, every inch of me is damp with perspiration when I reach the cafe. I smooth a hand over my slicked back hair and, using my forearm, wipe the beads of moisture from my upper lip before entering the cafe.
My eyes take a moment to adapt to the change in lighting, and once they do, I step up to the counter and place my order. Taking my receipt, I turn around to search for a vacant table.
“Hey, Rocky. Have a seat.” Adam gestures at the chair across from him.
“This is a nice surprise,” I reply.
“It is? Are you feeling okay?” he jests.
“Ha ha. I was looking for you.”
“And you found me.”
“I wanted to ask you to lunch, but I guess we’ll have to do it some other day since you’re almost done eating.”
He tears another chunk from his meatball grinder and chews. I watch his jaw tense with the effort and notice the precise moment he swallows, his throat muscles flexing beneath his skin.
“Why would you want to have lunch with me, Rocky? Last night you made it pretty clear what kind of man you think I am.”
“Yeah, about that… I’m sorry. I was a judgemental shrew to you. I shouldn’t have assumed things about you before asking.”
He nods. “Apology accepted.”
“Just like that? You’re not going to make me grovel?”
“That would make me an asshole, and I’m not one. Your apology seemed sincere to me.”
“It was. I meant every word I said.”
“Then why should I want or expect more?” he questions.
“I guess you shouldn’t.”
“Now that you got that out of the way, how do you feel about going out with me tomorrow night?”
“On a date?” I ask. I know he can hear the surprise lacing my voice.
He looks amused. “Yes. Can you handle that?”
I raise my shoulders in a semblance of a shrug. “Sure. Why not? Where are you taking me?”
“That’s for me to know, and I’ll clue you in when I pick you up. Wear jeans.”
“Jeans? It’s early August.”
“Trust me. You won’t be hot where we’re going.”
“Do you want my phone number in case you need to contact me?” I ask.
He settles back in the chair, a smug look on his face. “I already have it programmed in. You’re not the only one who knows private investigators.”
“Can I have yours?” I pull my phone from my pocket.
“Not yet. Let’s see how our date goes first.” His dimple makes a quick appearance.
My tongue and teeth press together, tsking. “How is that fair?”
“Who said anything about being fair? I play to win.” He gathers his empty plate, water bottle, and napkin before standing. “I’ve gotta get back to work. I’ll pick you up at six sharp.”
“You need my address,” I tell him, and he smirks. “Let me guess, you already have it.”
He nods slowly. “Yep. I do.”
Damn, he’s good.
19
Adam
Pausing, I look over Roxanne’s cape style house. Tan siding with dark green shutters and an attached one car garage, it looks like a newer build. I wonder how long she’s been living here.
Colorful flower beds stretch out on either side of the slate pathway leading me to her door. A row of hydrangea bushes, loaded with large purple flowers, line the front of her house.
Everything is neat and manicured, much like Roxanne herself. However, I didn’t expect her to live in such a suburban neighborhood. I imagined her in a loft or some ultra-modern condo.
Heart pounding with anticipation, I ring her doorbell and wait. I barely have time to run my hand through my hair before she’s in front of me, looking delectable in skintight jeans, a red fitted V-neck shirt, and sky-high heels.
“Hi,” I husk, my tongue suddenly thick in my mouth.
She looks me over and smiles fully, the outer corners of her eyes crinkling attractively.
“Hi. Do you want to come in for a minute? I’m just about ready.”
“Sure.” I follow her inside, peering around. Though not large, the open floor plan makes it seem more spacious. A warm beige paint covers the walls, and the sleek furnishings are more in line with what I’d expected. Black and white landscape photographs line the longest wall. “Did you take these pictures?”
She drops her chin in a quick nod. “I did. I’m not a photographer by any means, but that’s the beauty of technology. With cell phones, I guess we don’t have to be.”
“You had the eye to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, so the credit still goes to you,” I reply.
“So, I couldn’t help but hear you roar up on your motorcycle. I’m assuming we’re taking a drive.”
“You assumed right. But I’m going to feed you also.”
“Good. Dinner is non-negotiable. I’m starving.”
“As sexy as your shoes are, you might want to change into something with more coverage.”
She presses her lips together. “Now you tell me.”
“Better late than never.” I smile.
Roxanne opens a closet in the foyer, plucking a pair of black ankle boots from the rack before placing her heels on there. From the times I’ve spent with her, it’s obvious that she likes order in her life.
“Let me grab some socks and we can head out.” She disappears up the stairs, and I take the opportunity to check out her framed pictures on the console table. There’s one of her with Danika and Violet. They’re all tanned and happy. Maybe they were on vacation together? Another image is of her in her cap and gown with a pretty woman whom she resembles—must be her mom. I study Roxanne’s youthful face and unmistakable happiness. She was a beauty then too. I bet she had all the guys wrapped around her finger.
“That’s my college graduation,” she says, startling me. So engrossed in the picture, I didn’t hear her coming.
“Is this your mom?”
Her eyes sparkle with affection as she takes the frame from me. “Yeah, isn’t she gorgeous?”
“She is. You favor her.”
“My dad is blond with blue eyes, so I’m definitely more like my mom in looks.”
“What about your personality?”
“Well, my dad left us when I was ten, so I like to think I’m nothing like him.”
“I’m sure that must’ve sucked for you and your mom.”
“It did. And thank you for not saying I’m sorry. It’s so weird when people do that. It’s not their fault that he was a piece of shit.” She laughs.
“Is your mom remarried?”
“No. She didn’t date when I was growing up. She never wanted me to be uncomfortable while I was in my own home. And she worried someone might bother me.”
“Do you mean sexually?”
“Yes. She said that she’d never be able to live with herself if she brought someone into our lives and they were inappropriate with me in any way. It wouldn’t have to get to the point of actually putting their hands on me. It could’ve been a look or something they said. She didn’t want anything to happen that would change who I was as a person.”
