49. Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter forty-nine
Adair
Eventually, I walked out of the room and rounded the corner to find Peter sitting on the couch. He wore a light blue button-down shirt and dark grey dress pants. “Did you get dressed up for me?”
His attention snapped to me, and when he didn’t do or say anything other than stare, I thought there was something wrong with my dress. In a bit of a panic, I glanced down and ran my hands over the dark grey fabric. “Is this too much? I know it’s just a dinner, but--”
“It’s perfect. You look amazing.” Peter stood with a start and closed the distance between us, looking me over from head to toe.
It wasn’t in a creepy way, but more… reverently?
Appreciatively. The way his eyes lit up made me feel like I was more than someone who had been forced to hide everything.
He made me feel like I was pretty… Important.
As much as I wanted to brush it off, I reveled in the warm and fuzzy feeling for a moment. “So, it’s not too much?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I think Quinn was planning on dressing up, too. You ready to head up?”
I grinned and nodded. “Maybe we can sit by the fireplace before dinner? I’m going to miss it after we leave.”
Peter tipped his head to the side slightly. “You know Lynette has one, right? I’m sure she'll let you curl up in front of it whenever you want.”
A stunned smile appeared on my face. “Holy shit. I forgot about the big one in the living room. Regardless, let's go upstairs.”
Lukas was busy setting the table when we walked into the dining room. There was a tablecloth and a runner, and the plates even had silver chargers under them.
“This is stunning! Did you do this all by yourself?”
He shook his head and chuckled as he set down a wine glass.
“No. Quinn very much had her hand in organizing this. Tonight, I am the muscle following directions. Between you and me, I think she fussed more about this than most events she’s put on.
She kept going on about making sure her girl had a proper sendoff. ”
Her girl? “Who was she talking about?”
“You, you goof.”
I spun around to see Quinn walking into the room, looking stunning in a deep blue, knee-length dress. “I have no idea when I’m going to be able to throw a fancy dinner party again, and I wanted to show off my skills.”
Lukas chuckled as he pulled her close and kissed the side of her head. “Like she needs a reason. One word to my mom about a formal dinner and she’d hand over every linen and dish in the house to this gorgeous woman.”
“Quit trying to butter me up, mister.”
He smirked and kissed her again. “Nope. And it’s only buttering up someone if you want something out of it. I’m telling Tori the truth, gorgeous.”
Quinn shook her head and tried to look annoyed, but a smile broke out and showed her joy.
Watching them interact and seeing how very much in love they were made my heart happy with the joy of what relationships could be while mourning either what I didn’t or couldn’t have at the same time. I’d lost track of how many times I’d felt that emotional split.
Grief is a complicated bitch.
Peter
Dinner was amazing. Edith brought more food than I thought was needed to feed the five of us but rationalized it by saying that Cole and Phil would need food while we were gone and that she wanted to ‘do her part’ in helping out.
Afterward, we settled in on the couches in the living room with mugs of Edith’s special hot cocoa, chatting and telling funny stories.
I noticed how Adair stayed close to me, and that Edith stayed close to her.
Lukas also kept glancing over and checking on her from time to time as well, like he still expected her to disappear into thin air.
It baffled me how she could doubt the family genuinely cared about her.
What did her sister and the Vauxes do to her?
Between the fire, the good company, and the alcohol, Adair actually relaxed and shocked the hell out of me by snuggling a little closer and resting her head on my shoulder. It was one thing for her to lean on me while trying to sleep, but while hanging out with everyone? Is it the alcohol?
I glanced to my right and clocked the knowing smile on Edith’s face. When I gave her a curious look, she shook her head, as if to say she wasn’t going to comment, or at least right then.
In an attempt to clear my thoughts, I got up to get some water, and Adair followed me to the kitchen, gripping the counter as she stood next to me.
I glanced at her as I filled a glass, noting her waver slightly. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just realized how strong those drinks were. It hit harder after I stood up and walked.”
Her cheeks were a bit rosier than earlier. “They sneak up on you like that. You going to be okay getting back to the couch?”
Adair glared at me. “I’m not drunk, just feeling a little floaty. Don’t make me regret telling you that.” She sighed. “Now that I stood up, I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back.”
Edith walked over as soon as Adair was gone, a pleased little grin on her face. “You’re good for her and she’s good for you, you know.”
I looked at the woman standing next to me. “Oh?”
She nodded. “There are a lot of similarities between you and Derek, and before you jump to conclusions, don’t think for one second she is trying to replace him with you.
That woman doesn’t let in anyone she doesn’t want there.
There have been too many close calls with her safety.
You clearly passed all of her tests. Now, Lynette and I may have helped facilitate it in the beginning, but you did the work to earn her trust.”
“Thank you?” The badge of honor was unexpected but made me proud.
Edith patted me on the shoulder. “It is the highest compliment, my dear. Now, what you do with that information, well, you’ll figure it out.”
I stared at her, mouth open, and Adair chose that moment to return to the kitchen.
“What are you two talking about?”
Edith grinned at her and pulled her in for a hug. “How much I’m going to miss having all of you around.”
Eventually Edith declared she needed to head home, and while Quinn and Adair said goodbye to her, Lukas came and stood next to me.
“So, Lianne and Lynette told the crew at a meeting today that they were prepping my room and guest room, and that Hummingbird was coming home.”
My eyes went wide. “Holy shit. She dropped the name in front of everyone?”
He shrugged. “Apparently. Not that anyone outside of Ryan knows who that is yet. We still have that element of surprise.”
“I suppose so.” I let out a sigh, slightly worried what would be awaiting us in Chicago.
The three women suddenly cheered, laughed, and wrapped each other in a group hug, making Lukas chuckle. “I’m going to say my goodbye to Edith and then make sure my bag is ready for the morning.” He walked to the door, whispered something to Quinn, and grinned when she playfully slapped his chest.
After Edith left and Lukas and Quinn disappeared into their room, I stood near the basement door and watched Adair lean against the wall and stare at the embers in the fireplace. “Ready to head down?”
She nodded and giggled as she walked toward me unsteadily. I reached out and grabbed her hand to keep her from tripping or falling. “I thought you would have been more sober by now.”
Adair let out another giggle. “I would have if Edith, Quinn, and I hadn’t had literal parting shots.” She shook her head. “That woman can hold her liquor.”
That’s what happened over there. My eyebrows went up. “What did you three do?”
“Vodka.”
My eyebrows went up. “And shots, as in more than one?”
Adair nodded as a bashful smile appeared on her face.
“Oh lord. Let me get you some water.”
She flopped on the couch and let out a sigh as I walked to the fridge. “It was nice to have a drink for a happy reason. Hell, it was nice to celebrate with people.”
I nodded. The entire night had been relaxing, fun, and was the break we all desperately needed. Too much tension for too long was going to make someone snap.
“Can you mix up one more small drink for me? I want the floaty feeling to last a little longer before my fear and anxiety come crashing back down.” She looked over at me. “Please?”
I nodded again. “Of course. Have anything in mind?”
She sat and thought for a moment. “Not something super sweet or super heavy.”
One of my favorite drinks popped into my head. “Rum-based okay?”
Adair nodded and gave me a little smirk. “Yeah. Rum isn’t a sad liquor.”
I’ll have to ask about that later. The last thing I wanted was to bring her mood down, especially when she finally looked happy. “How about a Dark and Stormy?”
She chuckled. “Sure. It feels appropriate.”
I made sure to bring two bottles of water over with the cocktail and settled in on the couch next to her. “Enjoy.”
Adair accepted the drink with excitement and let out an appreciative hum after taking a sip. “Oh, I like this a lot.” she almost immediately curled up against my side, letting out a contented sigh. “You’re wonderful.”
“Thanks?”
“You are. The perfect gentleman… a man of his word. I don’t have to worry. You always do what you say.”
How am I supposed to respond to that?
She took another sip. “I don’t want another night like last night.”
I nodded, grateful she moved on in the conversation. “I don’t want another night like last night, either, if we’re being honest.”
“I’m calmer when you’re close. Hell, I sleep better.” Adair sat up and looked at me. “Would it make you super uncomfortable to stay with me tonight?”
My answer was immediate. “Not even a little.”