24. Adam
Chapter twenty-four
Adam
W ell, at least it’s over. And I didn’t vomit. That has to count for something.
The presentation was a blur. I guess I talked about the stuff I was supposed to talk about? Nicole bailed me out a couple of times, smoothly continuing my train of thought without flustering me further.
I steal a glance at Nicole, and she’s in her element—talking to several audience members who approached her when the session ended. She’s so good at this.
Ever since Nicole opened up to me the other day in the auto shop, my brain has been busy arranging and rearranging what I know about her, filling in the gaps that existed before, and creating a fuller picture of the woman she is. Understanding her strength and what she’s overcome only serves to cement my awe .
I value Dr. Parker’s advice, and now that I have a better understanding of what Nicole’s ex put her through, I can see that being a constant in her life while still giving her the space to sort through her own feelings, has been the right call. She’s lonely, but afraid to be vulnerable. I can relate.
I’m a patient man, but these last few days with Nicole are testing me unlike anything else. My yearning for her has become a physical ache radiating out from my chest through my entire body. To be around her and not touch her, not take her in my arms and taste her lips, is the most exquisite torture. The tension between us is building, ratcheting up with each flirtatious comment and stolen glance. I know she feels it too. She must.
As most of the attendees file out of the room, I start closing out the windows on the presentation laptop. I glance over at Nicole again, who is smiling and talking with her sister. A cold hand touches my arm, and I turn to see a woman around my age, with curly red hair and glasses. I paste a closed mouth smile on my face and raise my eyebrows.
“Hi,” she says shyly, her cheeks pink.
“Hello,” I respond.
“Um, I really enjoyed your presentation. I love graphic novels.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you have much information yet on which titles are most popular among your students? Which have been checked out the most?”
“Oh, well, we really just started circulating them a couple months ago. ”
“Well, what graphic novels are your favorites? My name is Gloria, by the way.” Her eyes glimmer, and I realize her hand is still on my arm.
“Ah, I don’t actually read them myself. My colleague, Nicole, is really the one with passion for the project.”
That’s not quite true; I have read some graphic novels over the last few months, ones Nicole recommended. I gesture behind me to where Nicole is standing with her sister. I glance toward her and see that she is several feet closer than when I looked last. She’s no longer talking to her sister, and her eyes are locked on the red-haired woman, on me. Her fingers are curled against Molly’s arm, her grip tightening. The expression on Nicole’s face is tight, as if she’s barely controlling her emotions.
“Ouch,” I hear Molly grumble. “Nicole, let go.”
Nicole drops her hand, flexing her fingers, but her eyes stay on me.
Is Nicole … jealous? Delight fills my body. A laugh bubbles up my throat, but I swallow it down and smother my grin as I turn back toward the red-haired woman.
“This project is just so fascinating to me,” the woman coos. “Oh! Maybe we could have a drink together to talk about it more? The conference sessions are done for today.”
I feel heat at my back as Nicole stalks closer, no doubt hearing the invitation. She lays her hand on my shoulder, and I instinctively lean into it. I turn and catch her saccharine smile, Nicole’s eyes on the red-haired woman, but directing her words to me. “Adam, are you ready to go?” she asks pointedly .
I shift my eyes back to the red-haired woman, focusing on the center of her face, not making eye contact. I clear my throat awkwardly, still fighting a gleeful grin. “I have plans now, but thank you,” I manage to say.
“That’s too bad,” the woman’s lips turn pouty, and she shifts her gaze between me and Nicole. “Can I have your card?” she asks. “You know, in case I have questions later about your presentation?”
As I fumble in my messenger bag for my business card, Nicole snaps hers forward toward the woman.
“Here’s mine,” Nicole says, still smiling that forced, unnatural smile. “I’d be happy to answer any questions you have related to our presentation.”
“Oh!” The woman sputters, taking the card from Nicole’s hand. “Thank you.” She looks over at me and finally slides her hand off my arm. She turns and walks away, looking back over her shoulder once.
My grin bursts free as I finish closing out the laptop, eyeing Nicole’s red face as Molly yanks her toward the door.