Need You Now (Martha's Way Series Book 2)

by Jolie, Mika

  This was Nate’s second text in two days. She failed to respond to the first one, not for any specific reason, only she had forgotten about it, about Nate. And right now was not the time. Not when the man she loved had opened up to her and laid himself bare.

  Lily turned her attention back to Adam. He leaned on the wall, motionless by the window. His gaze was still on her, holding her prisoner. She looked him dead in the eyes. He was no longer unflappable. Fear, worry—emotions he kept bottled inside for so long—greeted her. He had chosen to break free from them because of her, their unborn child, and all the possibilities. His willingness to be vulnerable, to trust her with everything that made him the person he’d become, won her heart over a million times.

  She was head over heels in love with Adam and all of his little things.

  Permanently so.

  Nothing could change that.

  Her phone vibrated again. She made a mental promise to strangle Nate for choosing the most inappropriate time to be persistent. Picking up the phone, to type Go to hell in all caps, she noticed Rafa’s name on the screen. Lily almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation. She needed to give Adam all of her attention, all of her, but her world had come crashing. She read the text from her brother Rafa.

  ¿Cómo estás? See you in two days.

  How could she forget?

  Her fingers expeditiously moved across the small keyboard and typed.

  Can’t wait. Luv U.

  Her response was pure sarcasm, except for the love part. As much of a pain in the ass and all in her business her brothers were, she loved them. But Rafa was on to her. Lily pressed SEND and dropped the phone back on the bed.

  She willed herself off the bed and closed the space between Adam and herself. His eyes dropped to her. “I almost forgot my family will be here in two days.”

  “What do you want to do?” he asked in a dangerously low voice.

  Puzzled, she frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “About us.” He signaled between their bodies. “What do you want to tell your family? The ball is in your court.”

  Lily glanced up and touched Adam’s face, and a muscle in his jaw ticked. “Do you expect me to walk away from you now?”

  Silence dominated the room.

  She captured his hand in hers and guided it to her chest. Lily closed her eyes so that she could feel him with her heart. “I carry you here.” She opened her eyes. “I could never slay you.”

  His head tipped forward and pressed his forehead to hers. “Liliana.” His voice was rough, ragged, leaving Lily intoxicated. His arms curved around her waist and pulled her into him. “You’re busy tonight,” he said, his lips oh so close to hers.

  She blinked. “I can be if we think outside the box.”

  Adam let out a chuckle, released her and dragged a hand through his hair. “Your phone.”

  “What about it?”

  “Someone is trying to get your attention.”

  Oh. She had been so lost in his arms once again that nothing else mattered. Now that he mentioned it, Lily became aware of the buzzing sound on her bed and let out a sigh of frustration. Why was everyone choosing tonight to call her? The vibration of the phone settled in the room. Probably Rafa again or another one of her brothers in their own protective way reminding her they were coming to the island for Adam’s neck. Well, good luck with that.

  “Ignore it,” she urged.

  The sound ceased but picked up again seconds later. Lily let out a long breath.

  “Whoever is calling is pretty persistent. They must need you. Go.” He gave her butt a gentle nudge in the direction of the bed.

  She leaned on the bed and swiped her finger on the phone. The screen lit up. To her surprise, Minka had called several times. Thinking back to last year when she reached out to her friend after finding out about Nate and his cheating ways, she picked up the phone and read the text.

  I need my friend.

  The desperation of the words made Lily’s heart thump. Oh God no. What could possibly be wrong? She glanced back at Adam. He was still standing at the same spot, looking a little less tense, but not relaxed either.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Minka.” Her mind already racing to all the things that could be wrong. Of course, she was imagining things. They were only days away from the wedding. Jason loved Minka and vice versa. Still, in the year the two have been together, this was the first time Minka had reached out to her with such urgency. “If your friend fucked up, I’m going to kick him in the nuts.”

  He smiled. “I think Keely already got that covered.”

  “I don’t mind contributing.”

  Adam walked over and pulled up to her. He brought his hand up to cup her face; his thumb ran along the curve of her cheekbone. Lily nestled into his hand, feeling his warmth seeping into her.

  “Go to her. Sounds like she needs you,” he breathed against her lips.

  Torn between walking out on this moment they were sharing and going to her friend, she continued to look at him. Some things only happened once, and she sensed she may never get this again. “You and I.” They had so much to talk about. “You need me too.” She exhaled and pressed her face on his chest. “I don’t want to walk away from this. It may never happen again.”

  He gently pulled her away. “I’m not going anywhere. We can finish this conversation another time.”

  “You asked what we should do about my family.”

  He nodded.

  “My parents will love you. My brothers, on the other hand, will probably try to hurt you.”

  He smiled. “I can handle them.”

  She nodded. “What about us? Will you let me love you?”

  He stared at her with a blank expression. His eyes gave away nothing, making it impossible for Lily to understand the depth of his emotions. “We can’t have sex. Go to Minka.”

  She meant the perfect, amazing, beautiful, strong emotional connection, and just plain awesome kind of love. Not just the physical act. But she understood. One step at a time. One conversation at a time. Adam may have lain down his armor, but that didn’t mean he was ready to hand his heart over on a silver plate. It was all due to fear, she understood that now. He was crippled by his past.

  * * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Lily entered the house Minka shared with Jason. The second her friend opened the door, she was able to tell Minka had been crying and filled with angst. “Where’s Jason?” She had not spotted his Jeep on the driveway when she pulled in.

  “At Vapor.”

  Adam had closed his restaurant for the winter over the weekend. And from what she knew of the island, most of the tourists should be gone by now. For Jason to be at Vapor around ten at night meant something was wrong. “What did he do, Minka? Keely and I can hurt him really bad. I’m sure Claire would help if she was around.”

  “Have you looked at Jason lately?” her friend asked in a throaty voice.

  She knew what her friend meant, not to only see the outer appearance but to see all the little things beneath. What she failed to do with Adam. To look so deep to see the person’s soul, his fears, dreams. What made him tick. Nope. She had been so consumed by her own physical needs and resisting the pull of getting emotionally attached to pay attention. Love had smacked her right in the face anyway and left her pregnant on top of it.

  But she looked at Jason, all the time. At first it had been out of concern, to make sure he wasn’t an asshole toying with her friend’s feelings. Because no one knew how deep Minka’s insecurities ran more than her.

  After a while, her scrutinizing became admiration. She marveled at the way Jason used every opportunity to touch her friend, his fiancé. There was no shame in his love for Minka. At times, it made Lily think about her fuck-buddy relationship with Adam. Even Nate. She gave all of herself to him, unconditionally so. He cheated on her with some floozy. Sure, her ego had been bruised, but her confidence had not been broken. Neither did the experience change h
er outlook on love. Not when she witnessed the beauty of such deep connection every day in her parents, in Minka and Jason, in Keely and Blake.

  Jason was handsome, rich, and constantly surrounded by beautiful women, whether at Vapor or traveling for Montgomery Corporation. That was all a part of who he was, just as everything that came with loving Adam. But there was no doubt in Lily’s mind about Jason’s feelings for Minka.

  “Jason is crazy about you.”

  Minka let out a soft chuckle. “I know that.” She paused. “I should know that.” They entered the living room. Minka immediately dropped her body on the sofa and released an exasperated sigh. Lily sat beside her. “I’m not skinny. I will never be skinny.”

  “You’re healthy. It doesn’t matter what the scale says.”

  “I know that.” Minka let out another soft chuckle. “Once in a while my insecurities rear their ugly heads.”

  “Like tonight.”

  “Like tonight,” Minka confirmed.

  “The two of you have been together for a year now. I think he sees you and loves you as you are. Jason is in love with everything about you. Not just your ass.” She teased her friend. Normally tight-lipped, Minka once slipped and told her about Jason’s obsession with her backside. “You do have a nice rump.”

  “You’re killing me,” Minka groaned. “Jason and I got into a fight. I said some nasty things.”

  “Like how nasty, on a scale from one to fifty.”

  “One hundred,” Minka admitted in a brittle voice.

  Lily cringed. “Should I dare ask what you said and why?”

  “I questioned his love for me. And I didn’t use the kindest words.”

  The sadness in Minka’s voice ripped along Lily’s heart. She clasped her hand over Minka’s. “Oh, hon.”

  “What if he wakes up one day and realizes he can do better than this?” She waved a hand over her body.

  “Minka, I thought you were over all of that.”

  “I thought so too. But…”

  “With days to go, the fact that you are about to marry this hunk of a man is too real.” She understood Minka’s anxiety. She was about to sign a contract of vows that should never be broken, it was normal for insecurities to creep up. “You deserve all the happiness that you and Jason have found. Don’t let anything screw that up. But if you are having doubts, we can make a getaway tonight.”

  “I love him.”

  “I know you do. And he loves you. Why don’t you call him and tell him to bring his ass back home where he belongs?”

  “I’m scared.” Minka’s voice shook on the words. “Just a little, but scared nonetheless.”

  Minka turned to face her. Her eyes leaked with insecurities, uncertainty. Lily felt the tears well up again. She really needed to stop crying, but shit, this was her best friend. “You’re going to make me cry. I can’t cry anymore tonight.” She let out a chuckle and touched the corner of her eyes. “Damn it, I’m crying.”

  They fell into each other’s arms, and cried a river, with ragged currents flowing down their cheeks onto the wilted collars of their shirts.

  Minutes later, emotionally drained, they fell back on the sofa, wiped their eyes and let out a shaky laugh.

  “I love you, Lily.”

  “Ditto, my friend. Do you feel better?”

  “A little.”

  “Good.”

  “I know Jason loves me,” Minka said with a little more certainty.

  “It’s okay to doubt.” She understood doubts. Only a week ago, she questioned her relationship with Adam. It felt like eternity. “Call your fiancé and remind him how much you love him.”

  Minka nodded. “I will. Sorry for calling you so late. I could have called Keely but—” Minka shook her head. “Still work in progress there.”

  The sisters had made a ton of progress on building a stronger relationship. However, after years of resentment, specifically from Minka, it would take time to mend something so fragile.

  “We are closer and no more jealousy from me anymore, but…” She paused. “I hurt her for so long, you know.”

  Lily touched her friend’s shoulder. “Keely doesn’t hold grudges. She loves you.”

  “I know. And I love her. I will get there one day.” She exhaled and smiled at her friend. “What’s going on with you and Adam?”

  “He told me everything tonight.” It wasn’t her story to share, regardless how close she was with Minka.

  “Is he okay?”

  She nodded. “I think so. I still have questions.”

  “Are you okay? I mean so much has happened to you in over a week.” She let out a deep breath. “That was pretty selfish of me to text you so late.”

  Lily waved a dismissive hand. “Technically, I’m at your service this week. This is your wedding week. And I’m okay. The baby is well protected and fine.” She patted the small roundness of her stomach. “Just a lot to process.” Lily chewed her bottom lip. “I’m so in love with him.”

  “So you’ll marry him then?”

  “Is it that simple to marry someone? I mean, you and Jason are in love. You’re not settling. I can’t say I wouldn’t if I were to marry Adam.”

  “He loves you, you know.”

  “He cares for me. I know that. But love, I don’t think he’s there.”

  Minka smiled. “He’s there. You’re just not looking close enough.”

  Maybe. But she was looking now at his vulnerability, his trust in her. The front door opened, indicating Jason had returned home. Lily glanced at her friend. Swollen eyes smiled at her and Lily relaxed. Everything was going to be okay.

  Jason entered the living room, looking as handsome as ever in a casual dark blue wool jacket, blue plaid shirt and faded blue jeans. His daunting blue eyes settled on Lily and he nodded. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better.”

  “Adam sent me a text to tell me you were heading over.”

  Lily smiled. “Yeah, I was just leaving.”

  “I’m not kicking you out but…”

  As always, he looked in total control. He glanced at Minka and their eyes locked.

  Lily stood up. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  Minka rose to her feet. “Jason…Oomph!”

  He pulled Minka against his chest and crashed his lips against hers. Minka’s arms quickly wrapped around Jason’s neck and welcomed him back home. Heat ignited between the two. Feeling her temperature rising, Lily fumbled through her purse to find her keys and tried her best not to stare, but she looked and she saw an ardent love, passion, trust, respect and lots of fucking heat. Jason’s feelings raw on his face, hiding nothing from Minka. All the things she had with Adam.

  It hit her then. Adam loved her. In his own cautious way, he loved her. And he showed that to her tonight by showing his vulnerability and opening himself to greater possibilities. He trusted her. It scared him, she could tell. Because trusting her meant he was giving her ways to hurt him, still he laid down his armor.

  “I’m in love with you. Don’t ever doubt that, Minka,” Jason said once they finally broke for air, bringing Lily back to reality. And right now she felt like a peeping Tom.

  “I’m sorry,” Minka apologized.

  “Show me,” Jason said, his lips on Minka’s neck.

  Oh boy. Lily cleared her throat. The sound fell on deaf ears. “Um…I’ll see my way out.” Jason was now nibbling on Minka’s ear. “Well, yeah…Um…okay. Have fun.”

  She slipped out of the room, walked down the hall and made her way into the Maserati. Once in the car, she pulled out her phone and texted Adam.

  Why tonight? Why did you tell me everything tonight?

  His response was quick.

  You want all of me. I’m giving you what you want.

  She blew out a breath and brushed her bangs to the side.

  Because of the baby?

  She pressed her eyes closed and waited for her phone to vibrate again. Please say no. This time his response took a second or t
wo. When her phone finally buzzed, her heart kicked. Slowly, Lily read the words.

  No. Come home.

  Lily counted to ten as slowly as she could to calm herself down. Never mind she was alone in her car, in the dark, in Jason’s parking lot. And Adam couldn’t see how giddy those words just made her.

  When her heart finally settled, somewhat, she answered.

  Ask me to marry you again.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Family is like underwear …. Some crawl up your ass… Some get a little twisted… And some actually do cover your ass when you need them too.”

  Anonymous

  Two days later, hand in hand, Lily and Adam walked outside Peter’s office at the only hospital on the Vineyard. Once in the hallway, she tugged on his shirt and he pulled her into his arms for one of those heart-racing kisses. Adam’s hands instantly circled her waist and held her.

  “What was that about?” he asked once they finally stopped for air.

  “I can officially have sex.” She grinned. “That means we can have sex.” She glanced at her watch because her family was due to arrive in a couple of hours. The way she was feeling fifteen minutes would do. Hell, the quicker, the better. “Like right now.”

  He laughed, a soothing, light and easy sound.

  “If we go back to the house, you’re not seeing your family today.”

  He hadn’t proposed again, but he’d only just returned from Boston helping Jason with last-minute wedding stuff. Another chuckle came from him with a twinkle in his eyes. Since their conversation two nights ago, they seemed to be laughing constantly, touching more, smiles, jokes. The way they were when they first discovered each other, but hotter now, more in sync, more connected.

  She pressed closer to him. The evidence of his words poked her. “Just to be clear, we’re over the no-sex thing, right?”

  “Totally.” To prove how totally serious he was, he squeezed her ass.

  “Oh, hi guys…”