She raises her arms up high, waiting for Adam to lean down so she can wrap her arms around his neck. “Night, Chestnut.”
“I’ll be downstairs if you need anything, but how about you try to sleep in your own bed tonight, okay?” Adam says.
I step toward the door, giving them their moment, until Cailin yells out, “I really liked having you here tonight, Miss Russo. Can you come over again soon?”
Adam answers for me, “I’m sure we can set up another time for her to come over again.”
I grin and nod, not able to get any words out as we both exit her room.
13
Sarah
I walk down the stairs, hyperaware of Adam directly behind me. Linda and Wayne left, so I head toward my purse in the kitchen.
“Thank you for inviting me tonight. I had a great time,” I say as I pick it up.
He places his arm on my elbow, and I’m instantly warmed by his touch.
“I thought you might stay awhile.” He shrugs. “Hang out a little. We can sit out on the back deck.”
I inhale a quick breath, letting my mind enjoy the thought. “Sure, I can do that.”
His smile makes my body warm, and the slight tug it causes on my lips feels pretty good from it.
“Do you drink coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, please,” I respond.
He pulls out the coffee. “So, tell me how you got into teaching,” he says.
I place my fingers under the counter and pull the front of my body into it. For a quick second, I want to tell him the truth but decide against it. I don’t want him to think I’m a freak stalker person who wants to use him to get back into the music scene. My time has sailed. Instead, I go with what everyone else in this town thinks they know.
“My mom was a kindergarten teacher. I moved to New York for college, thinking I wanted more, but ended up right back here, following in her footsteps, at the same school even.”
“That’s cool you had her to guide you. What did you originally want to do?”
I fidget with my sweater.I wanted to be you. I wanted to help people through music. I wanted to hear fans screaming out my lyrics while they danced with joy.
I try to hide the sadness ripping through me that I haven’t felt this strongly in years. “Oh, you know, I was a small-town girl living it up in the big city. Things didn’t work out.”
He starts the coffeemaker and leans back against the counter, crossing his arms. “Why not?”
The way he asks so nonchalantly makes me want to laugh. It’s such a loaded question that I still don’t understand. I’ve asked myselfwhymore times than I can remember. My father was quick to point out why, but I don’t want to believe him. When I’m really down on myself though, I can’t see any other reason.
“It wasn’t in the cards, let’s just say.” I inhale, ready to change the subject back to him. “What about you? Did you always want to be a singer?”
His eyes narrow slightly as he places his hands behind him. He’s reading me like a book, and I get the feeling he knows something’s about to be unveiled.
He purses his lips together with a slight shrug. “I guess itwasin the cards.”
His short, pointed comment hangs in the air. I want to ask him so much more, but how can I when I am being so elusive myself? We stare at each other, almost in a dare to share what the other is truly hiding, until the coffee dings, and he grabs a cup, pouring us each some of the dark liquid.
“Shall we head outside?” He motions for me to go in front of him, completely dropping the subject.
I pick up my cup and slide the glass door open, feeling the slight breeze rush across my skin.
I head toward the swing, and to my surprise, Adam sits on it as well. His legs are long enough to touch the ground, but mine hang freely, so I tuck them up under me and face him more.
