Chapter 8 #2
“Oh, Champ, I’m so sorry I was late.” He leaned back and searched Danny from head to toe.
“Grandma’s car fell apart, and then as I was fixing it I ripped my pants, then on my way here I hit a patch of ice and skidded straight into the snowbank.
” He sighed and his shoulders dropped. “Then I had to wait for Randy to come help pull me out, and he was insistent on trying this new gadget he made, and it took longer.” He pulled Danny into his chest for another hug.
“It’s okay.” Danny shrugged.
Adam knelt on the ground and looked at Danny’s face. “I know it makes you nervous when I’m late, and I told you I would be early, and I wasn’t here. I am so sorry.”
My heart melted as they hugged, Danny’s smile growing by the second. I bet Adam’s hugs would make anyone feel safe, not that I wanted him to hug me, it’s just his muscular arms would feel amazing. I shook my head and reminded myself I was staring, and I forced my gaze elsewhere.
Danny gasped. “Wait, is the truck broken? Can we still go get a Christmas tree?”
“The truck’s fine. I just got stuck.” Adam ruffled Danny’s hair.
“Phewf,” Danny added. “Ms. Faith said you wouldn’t leave me here, and she gave me cookies. You should try one, they are way better than Grandma’s.”
Adam chuckled, and his eyes met mine. They held such gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I looked away from his intense gaze. “It wasn’t a big deal. I needed to stay late anyway.”
Adam looked at Danny. “It was a very big deal.” It came out so soft I could barely hear the words.
Danny left his arms, rushed over to the Tupperware, and grabbed the cookies for his dad, who had sat on the floor, the exhaustion evident in his features.
Danny grabbed a cookie and handed it to his dad and Danny sat right next to him on the ground and grabbed another cookie for himself.
Adam gave Danny a soft smile. “I had better ask Ms. Faith first, Champ.”
The boys peered at me with their kind eyes, and my heart swelled. “Please.” I nodded toward the cookie.
Adam stood and walked toward me. My hands shook so I clasped them together.
“I am so, so, so sorry about Danny not knowing where to go. But it means everything to me you were here for him and helped him feel safe. I owe you big time.” Adam closed the distance between us. The air around me heated.
Danny grinned widely. “Nice. What does she get?”
“I guess that is up to her.” Adam shrugged and raised his eyebrows as he looked at me.
My mouth went dry, and I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t ask for a hug. That would be weird. Right?
“Um,” I looked at the cookies. “I could really use some taste testers for my baking. I love to bake when I am stressed…like a lot, and my roommate is refusing to try my recipes anymore.” I sighed, hoping to convey the confidence I didn’t feel.
Adam raised an eyebrow and I watched him in what seemed like slow motion as he raised the cookie to his mouth. My heartbeat raced like a herd of second graders released for first recess.
I cleared my throat.
Maybe it was just anxiety?
Adam slowly chewed, not breaking eye contact. My throat went dry, and I reminded myself to breathe. His eyebrows raised as he went in for another bite and finished the cookie.
“Ms. Faith, that was amazing!” He held his hand in front of his mouth as he smiled. “I might be saying that because of a steady cookie diet of Chips Ahoy and my mother’s attempts…” He shrugged. “So maybe I am not the best judge, but I will happily eat anything you bake.”
My cheeks flushed and I spun my ring.
Danny stood up and grabbed Adam’s hand. “We can be your cookie testers!”
Adam quirked an eyebrow. “That just sounds like I owe you for two things now, Danny and cookies.”
“Nope, I’m good.” I put my hands up. “Honestly, I was happy to help.”
Danny clapped. “I know!” He grabbed his dad’s arm. “Ms. Faith has never picked out a mountain Christmas tree. She should come with us tomorrow.”
Oh boy, this was not what I envisioned. Yes, I wanted to try the tradition, but going with Adam and Danny would be a terrible idea. My heart and ovaries might never recover from seeing this sweet family in all the holiday magic.
“That’s so sweet, Danny. Thank you for thinking of me.” I placed my hand on my chest. “I really am good though.”
Adam tipped his head to the side. “Are you getting a Christmas tree?”
I pursed my lips together. “I was planning on getting one from the Merc once I convinced my roommate Rose.”
Adam’s nose scrunched. “Those pre-cut trees die so fast, and don’t smell near as good.”
“Well, they smell better than the fake one I used last year.” I raised my right shoulder.
“A fake tree…that is blasphemy.” Adam stepped away from me. “It’s settled. You need to come get a tree the real way with us.” Adam smelled like citrus and warm spices, and he was still too close to me.
“Oh, uh, I dunno.”
Danny grinned. “It’s a lot of fun, and Daddy lets me use the saw.”
Adam flinched. “With lots of supervision,” he added, looking at me.
I chuckled. This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
It sounded so magical, and I admit the idea of spending some time with Adam and Danny sounded good too.
I sighed and decided to be brave. I realized I wasn’t nervous to spend time with Adam because he was intimidating, I was starting to feel nervous for an entirely different reason.
“Sure, why not?” The words were out of my mouth before I second-guessed everything, and I held my tongue.
“Can I still help Ms. Faith decorate? She needed me to hand her things when she was standing on the chairs.” I watched as his blue eyes searched for his dad’s confirmation.
“Seems like it’s the least we can do.” Adam looked back at me. “Put us to work, Ms. Faith.”
“And can we listen to Frosty the Snowman on your phone?”
At this, Adam grimaced but agreed. I moved my chair and stepped back onto it.
“Here, let me.” Adam held out his hand to help me down.
I stared at his extended hand. “Um, are you sure?”
He rolled his eyes. “Ms. Faith, whatever you are doing, I’ve got to be able to reach it easier.”
I shrugged. “I guess if you put it that way.” I moved strands of hair behind my ear.
He raised his eyebrows and gestured to his hand.
I set mine softly in his, and tingles danced up my arm. His eyes locked with mine as I stepped down. I was so close to his chest, I almost brushed against him. I blushed and took a few steps back.
Adam nodded toward the chair. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “Tell me what to do.”
Before long, I knew why Adam wasn’t excited about Frosty. Danny didn’t want to listen to a bunch of Christmas songs, he wanted to listen to Frosty the Snowman and only Frosty the Snowman, over and over and over.
Adam didn’t show any signs of annoyance after the initial one, although I’m guessing he had listened to the song for far longer than twenty minutes. As he stapled the last snowflake, we gathered up the supplies, put the chairs away, and headed for the door.
Danny led the way, skipping down the hall, and Adam fell into step with me. “Sorry about that,” he said softly. “Frosty is the current song of choice, and I didn’t think of a way I could warn you without potentially hurting Danny’s feelings.” The smell of citrus and spice surrounded me.
My heart warmed. What would it have been like if my parents had supported and shielded me the way Adam did for Danny? Instead of worrying more about their own image or that of their colleagues.
I smirked. “Well, I think it was worth it to watch Danny’s drum solo on the desk every time the chorus came on.”
Adam chuckled. “And, again, I’m so sorry about being late today.”
“Honestly, I didn’t mind it.” I looked toward Danny. “Danny calms me somehow.”
Adam tipped his head toward me, his eyebrows lowered.
I clasped my hands behind me. I said too much. What was he supposed to think about that? “And he is a great helper.” I thought to earlier when he decided he would rather spread paper confetti everywhere than pick up his paper scraps. “Well, when he wants to be.” I smiled.
Adam put his hands in his pockets. His coach jacket sleeves pulled against his arms. “I was wondering if it might be easier if we exchanged numbers. Between the fundraiser and our role as permanent cookie testers and what not?” Adam shrugged but didn’t meet my eyes.
“It might be an easier way to communicate.”
Aah!! Was he asking for my number as a friendly gesture? A teacher-parent kind of I need your number? Or could it be that he actually wanted my number? I spun my ring as my gaze flicked to his. I took a fortifying breath and told myself to chill out.
“Sure.” I grabbed my phone from my little shoulder bag, unlocked it, opened a new message, and then held it out to him. “Just put your number in here and I will text you.” My fingers brushed against his palm and I walked faster.
That sounded normal, right? Did I sound too excited? Or did I maybe sound like I wasn’t excited at all?