“Adam’s over here,” she says, turning up her sleeve. “He doesn’t live there anymore.”
Jesus, Willa, you almost completely blew everything.
“He just signed the lease yesterday to rent it out; the new tenants are moving in next Monday. He’s living at my place now.”
“Oh,” I say, confused and flustered as she moves me to the door and ushers me in.
“Babe!” she calls as soon as the door closes behind us. I stand there, confused. “You’ll never guess who is here!” she calls.
“Hallie?” he asks, exhaustion in the word, and Wren laughs, but before she can correct him, he comes down the stairs and catches sight of me. “Willa?”
“Hey, Adam.”
A hesitant smile crosses his face.
“Hey! Wow, you’re here. What are you doing here?” he asks, wrapping a gentle arm around Wren.
I shrug, suddenly embarrassed. “You said any time.”
“I guess I did,” he says with a laugh. “Can’t say I actually thought you’d take me up on it.” Slowly, dread curls in my gut.This was so stupid. I should have called. I should have warned him. I should have sucked it up and stayed home.
“I’m sorry, this was–”
He shakes his head quickly.
“No, no, it’s totally fine. I didn’t mean it in a bad way, and I just can’t believe you’re here in Holly Ridge.”
“Have you eaten?” Wren asks, and I’m grateful for the diversion. “Lunch. Have you eaten?” I look around her small kitchen and shake my head.
“No, I–”
“Perfect! I’ll get lunch started, and you can tell us all about your plans!” Wren says, excitement written clearly across her face.
“That’s really not?—”
“I promise it’s easier if you just let her take care of you,” Adam says, voice low as he leads me into the kitchen. It’s strange, this interaction, the normalcy of it, but I chose not to look at it too closely.
“Is there anything you don’t eat?” she asks, opening the cabinets and looking over her shoulder at me. My mind instantly goes to the most recent diet my nutritionist had me on, a dozen things I shouldn’t eat on it. She called it an anti-inflammatory diet, something people who have allergies usually are, though I have none.
But the point of this is to find myself, right? I smile. “Nope, I’m not picky,” I say.
“Perfect.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m incredibly pleased I didn’t give her any restrictions because the half-eaten sandwich before me is the most delicious thing I’ve had in some time. She told me she grabbed the bread from the town’s farmers’ market as she cut thick slices of the sourdough for me, herself, and Adam. Then she layered thick, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and more bacon than I’ve ever seen on a sandwich, adding fancy toothpicks to keep them together before sliding it across with some bagged chips that I don’t think I’ve eaten since I was a kid. They crunch deliciously, and the salt and oil are addictive, just like I remember.
“So you convinced Jackie to let you have a break?” Adam asks after I tell them that I’m essentially off for three months, a teasing smile on his lips.
“Not quite,” I say with a smile. “Leo kind of insisted on building intrigue for the next album. My next relationship doesn’t start until September, so he wants me to lay low.” Adam nods with understanding, and Wren looks over her shoulder at us, a look I can’t quite decode. “But I’m glad. At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with the free time, but now I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’ve been under the spotlight nonstop for…” My words trail off, unsure of exactly how long it’s been. “A long time.”
“I know,” Adam says, understanding more than most people. “So what are you going to do with all of your free time?”
“Oh, I…” I start, and then I laugh. “Honestly? I’m not sure. I haven’t had time off in a long, long time.” I lick my lips, popping another chip in my mouth and chewing thoughtfully before expanding, “I knew I was going to drive myself insane at home alone the whole time. You said this place was great for your writing block, and I figured three months could give me the full Holly Ridge experience.”
Adam nods, a small tilt to his lips seeming to approve.
“Where are you staying?” Wren asks. I bite my lip and lift a shoulder.
“Not sure.”
