Cailin jumps up in excitement, clapping her hands together, and I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“Move it, Dad. This is Sarah’s spot.”
His eyebrows rise to me again as he tilts his head and stands up for me to take his spot. “Sarah, huh?”
“Yeah, you know, after waking up in her house, I figured she could call me Sarah when we’re out of school.” I wave my hand like it’s nothing.
He kisses my forehead and whispers, “I like it.”
I take my seat and place my hands on the keys. “Do you want to go over the words, or do you remember them?”
She waves her hand in front of her. “I remember. Let’s do this!”
I glance up to see if Adam thought that was just as cute as I thought, and the glimmer in his eye proves he did without any words said.
We start our song, and just like before, she hits every note on cue.
Adam’s lip trembles as we finish, and I celebrate by wrapping my arm around her shoulders and bringing her to me.
“Great job, sweetheart.”
Adam claps his hands together. “Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Both of you.”
I grin shyly his way before I stand up to give him his spot back.
“Can we sing it tomorrow again at church?” Cailin asks.
I stumble on my words, remembering the lies I told. “We’d have to learn a new song first. Maybe we can find time to work on a new one since the piano is here. When I’m done with the other things I have going on, I’ll see what I can do.”
Her bottom lip sticking out guts me. I’ve gotten to know them both better, and I feel even more horrible for lying. Now, I’ve created this lie that I have to figure out.
“It’s okay.” Adam’s arm goes around my waist. “We have all the time in the world.”
The words weigh heavy on my shoulders.
“What should we plan for dinner?”
I fidget with my hands, biting the inside of my lip. I don’t deserve to be here after lying to them like that. “You know what? I actually have to get going.”
Adam’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t question as I slide out of his hold. I lean in to softly kiss him, begging for forgiveness through my lips.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
He tilts his head in question. “About what?”
I glance to Cailin, who’s playing away on the keys. I chicken out by saying, “That I can’t stay.”
“It’s okay. I’ll walk you out.” His hand grips mine as I say goodbye to Cailin, and he follows me to my car.
Once there, he opens the door, standing behind it like he does every time we say good-bye. The stance is starting to make me laugh, as I’m pretty sure he does it to keep the distance between us so we don’t devour each other.
“Thank you for everything these past few days.” He leans in to kiss me, and I’m thankful the door is there, so I don’t jump him right here in the driveway with the way his tongue is working the fire in my body to a raging inferno.
He pulls back, and I lean in, wanting just a little more and kicking myself for already saying I had to go.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he says as he positions his arm on the handle, getting ready to close it.
I slip in and start the car. “Bye, Adam.”
