“Out of respect for my deceased ego, could we please not make such a big deal out of this?” Adam says, shaking his head, but he sounds more rattled than he wants to let on. He doesn’t let go of me or jump at the chance to step away.
My ego, on the other hand, seems to have taken the day off. For once, I don’t pull away either. I let him comfort me a little longer, telling myself it doesn’t mean anything. Surely facing down a wild animal counts as an extenuating circumstance, right?
The smooth wood of the banister digs into my arms as I type on my phone, catching up with Michelle. It’s such a crisp and clear morning, too lovely to waste cooped up inside my room while I work for a bit.
I’m not exactly hiding out here on the balcony, but it does lower the chances of running into my brother’s scowl. One that hasn’t eased since the bear debacle.
MICHELLE:Weather here is horrible. Send me some nature pics to cheer me up.
I straighten, snapping a photo of the backyard, with the lake and the mountains in the background. It looks like a postcard.
MICHELLE:I really need to come and visit. ??
I hesitate. I care about her more than I ever expected, but this is my brother’s place. His and Eliza’s safe haven, and they both value their privacy. I can’t bring Michelle here.
JACKIE:We’ll do a “team building” weekend in town once all of this is over.
The door to the other bedroom opens. Adam steps out in sweatpants and all his bare-chested glory. The way he looks more solid now than after graduation is unfair.
His abdomen muscles bunch as he sweeps a hand through his morning hair that sticks up in every direction, and I fight the dryness in my mouth, taking a second too long to look away.
“You can come closer if you want to ogle me this early in the morning,” he teases.
“Your morning breath is classified as a biohazard. No thanks.”
He laughs it off and drops into the chair at the small round table between our doors. I’ve never seen this man react to an insult. They just roll off him.
I grip the banister tighter, my gaze following one of the guards making his rounds. It’s like living in a gilded prison.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you yesterday,” Adam says suddenly.
“I’m not plotting your murder, relax.” I wave him off. “It was kind of extreme, I admit. Even for me.”
“What I said was still true, even if I yelled it.” He pauses for a beat, tapping the surface of the table. “You’re my best friend’s sister. I feel responsible for you.”
Ouch.
“Next time, please let me perish in whatever stupid mess I get myself into. I couldn’t face Carter if you got hurt because of me.”
I want to point out that he’s already hurt me, but thebest friend’s sisterstamp scrambles my brain and twists my insides in a knot.
I peer at him over my shoulder. “What’s happening right now?”
“This,” he says, gesturing with his hands, “is me being mature and open with you.” A lazy smirk lifts the corner of his mouth. “New approach. What do you think?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
“I’ll give you time to adjust.”
Nails drumming on the polished wood, I watch him more closely. “What’s the catch?”
“Always so calculated,” Adam tuts. “No ulterior motive. I just want to clear the air before I fly out to see my parents.”
“You’re leaving?” My voice pitches higher before I can control the distress slipping through.
“Curb your enthusiasm,” he says dryly. “I’ll only be gone a week. I promised my folks I wouldn’t postpone another visit. And besides,” he continues, tongue in cheek, “you’ve got Sir William to keep you company. And your delightful friend.”
Not after what I heard her tell Adam. I knew she looked down on him, but the way she spoke to him andwhatshe said… were unacceptable. She crossed a line this time. Even if her intentions were born out of a misguided sense of protection.
