Three Things I'd Never Do

by Remi Carrington

  “It’s the least I can do. She’s been so generous to let us stay here.”

  “She is pretty awesome.” He moved his roll away from the rest of his food.

  Dad pointed his fork at Adam. “I meant to ask you—I think your station is the one that showed up when the tree fell. We weren’t home. Only Eve was there, but I wasn’t sure if you’d heard about it.”

  “I did. That was unfortunate. How long will the repairs take?”

  “The damage was significant, but our contractor said he’ll be done in three weeks. He’s worked really hard to get it done ahead of schedule.” Dad added butter to a roll. “I’m sure Eve will be glad to get her house back. Then the two of you won’t have to stand in the driveway after your dates.”

  I was near maximum embarrassment, and we weren’t even to dessert yet.

  Dinner continued, and nothing more was said that made me want to crawl under the table.

  “Let me grab dessert.” Mom jumped up, her smile wide.

  As she carried her cheesecake to the table, the thought popped in my head that we were in the clear. I waved the thought away, not wanting to tempt fate, but it was too late. Just thinking it had given a challenge to the universe. For the second time this summer, dying from embarrassment seemed possible. And I didn’t even know what was coming.

  “Usually I add a blackberry swirl to my cheesecake and top the whole thing with fresh blackberries, but Eve said I should just make it plain. I don’t know why. But here it is—plain. I made a blackberry topping and a strawberry topping for those of us who like our cheesecake a bit fancier.” Mom set the dessert on the table then ran back to the kitchen.

  Adam leaned close. “You noticed and remembered.”

  “I did.” It probably wasn’t the best idea to tell him it worried me at the time.

  Mrs. Cardona laughed. “Adam doesn’t like his cheesecake with anything in it or on it. He also eats his pasta plain and his salads without dressing. He is the pickiest of all the kids.”

  “I’m surprised he ate the casserole.” Mr. Cardona stirred cream into his coffee. “Normally, he doesn’t like his foods to touch.”

  Besides eating plain cheesecake and keeping things separate, Adam hadn’t been too weird about his food. All the cracks about his pickiness seemed undeserved.

  Listening to them poking fun at him made me want to jump to his rescue. “When I was younger, I couldn’t stand oranges. Now I eat them all the time. The little mandarins are my favorite.” My addition to the conversation drew blank stares from all four of the parental units.

  “Those clementines are good too.” Adam ate a bite of cheesecake. “Wow. This is really good. Creamy.”

  “Thank you.” Mom doused her slice with the blackberry topping.

  Inspired by Adam’s mention of another type of citrus, I had an idea. “Cara Cara oranges are tasty. Have you had those?”

  Would Adam catch on to my silly little game? Haley and I had done it during high school more than once. We’d pick a topic and see how many mentions or variations we could drop before people figured out what we were doing. It kept the conversation interesting.

  He didn’t disappoint. “I haven’t tried those. I think they are usually right next to the Mineola tangelos, aren’t they?”

  Dad sipped his coffee. “When I was young, they didn’t have all these fancy choices. We were lucky to get navel oranges.”

  Now my dad was in on the game. I’m not sure he knew that though.

  “I remember having those oranges that were dark red inside. What are those called?” Mr. Cardona’s brow pinched as he tried to remember.

  “Blood oranges.” Adam tapped the table. “Oh, and I like tangerines.”

  I heaped a little extra strawberry topping on my slice of cheesecake. “Mom, this is berry good.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Very punny.”

  “Orange you glad I didn’t say the name of a citrus fruit?” I giggled at my own stupid joke. Living with my parents had reduced me to behaving like a child.

  Adam coughed to cover his laugh.

  “How are the strawberries, dear?” Mom gave me one of her scolding looks while using her sweetest voice.

  “Delicious.” They were so good in fact, I preferred to use my mouth to eat rather than talk about how tasty they were.

  Mom tapped the edge of the bowl. “They are from a farm in Poteet.”

  Mrs. Cardona beamed. “I grew up in Poteet on a strawberry farm.”

  “I lived in the same area. Did you grow up in Poteet also?” Mom pushed her dessert plate away and narrowed her eyes like she was trying to access the files stored in the back of her brain.

  Mr. Cardona nodded. “Near there.”

  “You seem so familiar. Even the last name is familiar, but I can’t place you. Where did you go to school?”

  “Maybe you saw me on the football field. I was the star quarterback.” He grinned.

  Mom jumped up and excused herself. If I had to guess, Mr. Cardona looked nothing like he did in high school. Okay, maybe he did a little . . . just enough to be familiar but not recognizable.

  Dad followed her to the doorway. “You okay?”

  “Yes. I’ll be right back.” She tapped his cheek.

  He seemed convinced she was all right. I wasn’t. The evening had just gotten weird.

  Adam stood. “Let me help you clear the table. Then I’ll do dishes.”

  “Thanks.” I gathered plates and followed him into the kitchen. When we were out of earshot of everyone else, I slipped my arms around his waist. “I’m glad we talked earlier. I’m not sure this is what I imagined when you said that it would be fine.”

  He kissed my forehead. “I didn’t know my dad dated your mom. I’m guessing that’s what sent her running out of the room.”

  “Maybe. This might make get-togethers a bit awkward.”

  “I vote we skip get-togethers for a while. The embarrassment from tonight should last me months, maybe even a year.” He began rinsing and loading dishes. Anything that couldn’t go into the dishwasher, he washed then handed to me to dry.

  “You didn’t complain about the pizza.” I dried the dishes then put them away.

  “I’m also not five anymore.” He splashed water at me. “I’ve learned something this past month.”

  “Please, tell me.”

  “Life with you isn’t dull. Ever.” He faked a wince when I poked him in the side.

  “Before the lightning storm, my life was very boring. Even after that, it wasn’t all that exciting until the tree fell.”

  “So I rescued you from boring?” He turned off the water and shifted to face me.

  “You did.”

  Inching closer, he lowered his voice. “You want to come over later? Javi is out of town again.”

  It had been a week since I’d been around the dogs. My inclination when they ran toward me was to back away, but I was trying. “Sure.”

  “Great. We’ll share a giant bowl of popcorn and watch something funny.”

  “Orange you glad I didn’t say no?”

  His hands still wet, he picked me up. “So berry glad.”

  Not liking his dogs would be a horrible reason to lose Adam.

  I followed Adam to his front door, giving myself a silent pep talk. Be firm. They are nice dogs. He’s worth it.

  He pushed open the door and told Butch and Sundance to sit. They obeyed but had perfected the art of dancing while still technically sitting.

  I didn’t avoid them. Patting their heads, I kept my face away from theirs. “Hey, guys. We’re going to watch a movie. You want to watch it with us?”

  Adam chuckled. “I’ll make popcorn.” He walked into the kitchen, and Sundance followed.

  Butch stayed in place, staring at me.

  Adam called out from the other room, “He likes you.”

  “He’s sweet.” I dropped onto the sofa and patted the seat beside me.

  Butch jumped up and curled up almost in my lap.

 
; I was maybe starting to like having him do that. “You can’t steal my popcorn. I don’t share popcorn.”

  “Uh-oh. Should I make two batches?”

  “I’ll share with you. This time.” I kicked my shoes off. “I’m glad the evening ended okay. I was kind of worried for a little bit.”

  “Yeah, hearing the story of how your mom flirted with my dad, only to realize he was interested in her friend was funny.” He sat down and handed me the bowl. “Funny, scary, or romantic?”

  “Funny.”

  After clicking play, he draped his arm around me. This wasn’t bad. The dogs hadn’t licked me. Our parents didn’t hate each other. And Adam loved me.

  Life was good.

  Chapter 15

  Mom and Dad were as excited about the completed repairs as I was about getting my house back. Instead of two months, it had only taken seven weeks to get the house move-in ready. Seven weeks and two days—not that I was counting. Okay, I was.

  “I can’t wait to see how y’all redid the bathroom.” I glanced back at Adam as I followed Mom down the hall. “It’s sweet of you to come help move furniture back into place.”

  “I’m trying to impress them.” He quirked an eyebrow, and his expression made me wish we were alone at my house.

  “It’s working.” I’d tell him later how Mom gushed about him every chance she got.

  Mom motioned like Vanna White at the bathroom door. “Go in and see it.”

  When I walked in, I wasn’t expecting her to practically push Adam in behind me. So much in the bathroom had changed . . . except the tub. That looked exactly the same.

  Flashes of the tree and the embarrassing horror flooded back. Heat rose in my cheeks, and I avoided looking at the tub. If I acted weird, Mom would know something was off, or she’d at least start asking questions. And I wanted to keep what happened a secret as long as possible.

  Then Adam stepped closer to make room for Mom and Dad to enter the bathroom, and claustrophobia set in.

  I needed to get out of the bathroom. I turned, which landed my face in Adam’s chest. That did not make this easier.

  To his credit, he stuck his hands in his pockets. “This looks great. Don’t you think, Eve?”

  “Yes, I love the new paint color. Pink is a great color in here.” It wasn’t what I would’ve chosen, but it worked in that room. “And the new sink is awesome.” Faking normal seemed to be working.

  Mom beamed. “I wanted to put in a whole new tub, but it was faster and cheaper to have the tub refinished and repair the few broken tiles.”

  I was glad they opted for the faster and cheaper.

  “So now you can tell the other guys at the station how things turned out. Weren’t they the ones that came out?” Dad patted Adam on the back.

  “Our station responded. I’ll let them know. It’s nice to hear good news after the fact.” Adam glanced at the door.

  Faking it wasn’t working anymore. I needed out of that tiny space. It was embarrassing enough being in here with Adam again. At least I was wearing more this time. And the room wasn’t made for four people. But standing there, I felt trapped all over again.

  Adam slid one hand out of his pocket and pressed it to the small of my back. “Eve said they redid the back patio also. Is that right?”

  “Yes. I’ll show you.” Mom pushed on Dad. “You have to go so we can get out. You’re blocking the door.”

  “Oh. I guess I am. Sorry about that.”

  Adam gripped my hand. “Lead the way.” His gentle encouragement steered Dad back on track.

  Having Adam touch me did not invoke the horror and penetrating embarrassment I expected. Instead, it was comforting.

  When we stepped outside, I inhaled as if outside air was the antidote to my discomfort.

  Adam slipped an arm around my waist and glanced down at me with eyebrows raised.

  I smiled up at him. “I’m okay.”

  Dogs and all, this guy was a catch, and I’d almost let my embarrassment get in the way. Today, he’d helped me keep the details of the rescue a secret, but I knew that when I least expected it or at the most inopportune time, my parents would find out.

  “This patio is great, Mr. Taylor. Looks like the perfect place to grill steaks or smoke a brisket.”

  Dad grinned. “My thoughts exactly. Let us know when you’re free, and we’ll plan something.”

  “I’d love that.” Adam was using the L word more often lately.

  I’d noticed.

  When we were finally alone at my house, I handed Adam a glass of water and the bowl of popcorn. “Water with ice. And popcorn. I’m ready.”

  “Before we start the movie, do you want to break rule one?” He’d waited until now to bring it up.

  Probably because I hadn’t brought it up on the drive home.

  “I’m really okay. It was just—I couldn’t stay in there.”

  “Feeling trapped is completely normal. If you were embarrassed, you don’t need to be.” He flashed a smile. “I hardly remember a thing.”

  “I’m not sure that calling me forgettable is going to make me feel better.”

  He paled. “I only meant—”

  I kissed him. “You could see through those branches, huh?”

  “A little.” He blew out a breath. “Ready to watch the movie?”

  “Are we done talking about it?”

  “We’ve wandered into dangerous territory. Best to obey the rules, I think.”

  I leaned my head on his shoulder. “That’s why I love you.”

  “The only reason?”

  “One of them.”

  Instead of clicking play, he took the glass out of my hand then trailed a finger along my jaw before cupping my face in his hand. Our lips met, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  Adam hugged me closer, never separating our lips, and leaned back against the end of the sofa.

  His mouth moved against mine. Clinking on the table interrupted the moment. Adam broke the kiss and sighed.

  Pookie dipped her paw in his glass then licked off the water.

  “Your precious little kitten does whatever she wants, doesn’t she?” He sounded almost irritated.

  “Pookie, quit!” I jumped up and grabbed the glass. “I’ll get you a new one.”

  Why did his question irritate me so much? It wasn’t so much the question itself but the way he’d worded it that bothered me.

  I tucked his glass in the dishwasher and grabbed a clean one. I was back in the living room in no time flat. “Here, water with ice again. I’m sorry. But at least she didn’t—”

  Adam rubbed his hand. “If you were going to say scratch me, she did that while you were in the kitchen. I’m not her favorite person.”

  “Should I get the bandages?”

  “No. I go on duty in the morning. The last time I forgot and showed up with a kitten bandage. The guys had a field day.” He crossed his arms.

  I set the water on the table. “Do you still want to watch the movie?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” He snapped the question.

  “Maybe because you’re being as moody as a cat.” I scooped up Pookie and sat on the opposite end of the sofa.

  Laughter wasn’t what I expected as a response.

  With his arms still across his chest, Adam tossed his head back and filled the house with a deep robust laugh.

  Had I missed something? “What? Why are you laughing?”

  “Pookie isn’t the only one with claws, I see.” He held out his hand.

  “You accuse me of having claws, and now you want to hold my hand?” I was only mildly successful at keeping the irritation out of my voice.

  “May I hold Pookie?”

  “Are you sure you’re brave enough to try again?” I handed over my precious kitten.

  She didn’t seem happy about it because she wriggled in his hand, her claws outstretched.

  If he was afraid, he didn’t let it show. “Darlin’, running into burning buildings is less scary than de
aling with your cat, but she’s part of the package, as they say.” He held Pookie up in front of his face. The man was brave. “We need to figure this out. I’ll be around a lot, and I’m not a big fan of kitten bandages. I like your human. Please stop trying to take my hand off.”

  Kitty gave a little whine.

  “Is that a yes?” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll pretend it is.”

  As soon as he put her down, she scurried away.

  I felt a bit swoony after watching him have a heart-to-heart with Pookie.

  “I think it will take treats to win her over.” He inched closer. “What will it take for you?”

  “You don’t like her, do you?”

  “She’s growing on me. It’s probably from the little bits of DNA she leaves under my skin.” He could be adorable and frustrating at the same time. “Now back to my other question.” He scooted even closer. “Will you forgive me?”

  “I want you to like my cat.”

  “Do you like my dogs?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “I do. I mean . . . at first, I didn’t. I hate saying that out loud. They are big and slobbery. But the more time I spend with them, the more I grow to like them.”

  He closed the small gap. “I’m really glad to hear that.”

  “Just don’t tell Haley!” I snuggled next to him. “Now start the movie.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He kissed me on the top of the head.

  Was he going to bring me treats too?

  Chapter 16

  Weighed down with grocery bags, I dropped a freshly chiseled key onto the entry table. I still hadn’t managed to get my spare key back from my parents.

  Haley had been hounding me about planning a girls’ getaway weekend, and I’d decided that if Adam would look in on Pookie to make sure she had food and water, then a weekend away would work.

  All that was left to do was ask Adam. He showed up with treats every time he came over, and Pookie ran up to him when she heard his voice. It seemed like things were better with that situation. Mostly. She had scratched him a few more times.

  And that was why I’d planned a special dinner. Buttering him up with a home-cooked meal wasn’t a bad thing, right?