I reach out, paranoid that she’s going to pass out or something, but she’s back in her room within a couple of steps. My head thumps onto the island; I’m feeling helpless. I’ve never pretended to be good with people. Sure, I can handle my sisters, but Claire isn’t them. She has been through a lot, and I’m not sure how to tiptoe around it all.
I decide that, for today, it’s best to give her time. A lot has happened since I showed up, and maybe a little time without me constantly in her business will help her wrap her head around things. That means it’s time to grab my laptop and start workingon what I can to bring down this entire operation, as well as on how to handle her pregnancy.
It’s time to show her I’m all in.
Chapter 22
Claire
Today has been too damn much. I don’t know which way is up and which way is hell. Adam is saying all the right things, but how do I even know if I can trust it? He was undercover, for God’s sake. He knows how to lie convincingly. Plus, is he just here because of the baby? Or for me? How will I ever know?
But you know he’s not lying to you. You wouldn’t be letting him stay here if you didn’t trust him.
Technically, true, but it also feels stupid as hell to just trust him. I’ve never completely trusted Lex, but our only real contact was through email or video calls. Am I just that messed up?
Probably.
It’s not like I was totally all the there prior to all this shit.
I grab my Kindle off the end table and collapse onto the bed. When I open it up, there are a bunch of new options. It’s not until I click on them as they load that I realize I definitely didn’t send any of these books to my Kindle.
“Uh, Adam?” I yell out.
He’s in my room less than thirty seconds later. “What?” He’s looking around frantically.
“Did you put books on here? How did you even know about my Kindle?” I hold up the device.
His cheeks and neck take on an immediate red hue.He’s embarrassed.It’s difficult to keep my smile in check.
“Uh, yes, I did. I saw it on your nightstand last night. Do you hate them? I can find others. Do you have a favorite genre?”
“How do you know about romance books?” I ask instead of answering him.
If it’s possible, he turns even redder. “I have four sisters,” he mumbles.
“Oh shit.” I crack up.
“Yeah. I’m well versed in all things women.”
“Do I seem like a romance reader?” I cock and eyebrow at him.
“I put some thrillers on there too,” he offers hopefully.
“That’s very kind.” I smirk. “And those are probably my favorite genres, so thank you.”
“You okay?” he asks after a minute.
“I am, I think. It’s just taking me a minute to really grasp … everything that’s happened in the last day.”
“Understandable. Juliette calls me a bull in a China shop most days. I kind of just barrel in with ideas or plans and don’t really think about how overwhelming that can be.” He shoves his hand through his hair.
“It’s not a bad thing; I am just used to the exact opposite. I’ve come to terms with a lot of what happened while I was Nova, and immediately after, because I’ve had nothing but time to think, but you showing up has completely thrown me.”
“I get it. I do. I’ll tone it down.” He nods.
“Please don’t. I like seeing the real you. I have just been alone for so long I have no idea how to behave in front of company,” I joke.
“I tried to come, but …” There’s pain in his words.
