Chapter 88
G etting ready for brunch, Adam leans on the bathroom’s doorframe, watching me. “You look great.”
“Thanks,” I say, then stare at the ring on my hand. There’s no way I’m wearing this to brunch. There are so many reasons why I can’t. “I’m going to leave this here.”
“Oh?”
“I haven’t seen Sam since she got engaged.” Considering how she already reacted to the dress photo … “I don’t want to rain on her parade.”
“Okay,” Adam says, understanding. “I feel bad for that poor girl.”
“Stop.” I cynically giggle.
“Do you need to take my car?”
“Charlie’s is down the street.”
“Right, that guy we saw on the lake.” Adam stands behind me, and we look at each other through the bathroom mirror. “I was jealous when he approached. I’m so happy he’s into your friend.”
“You were jealous of a bartender? That’s hilarious.”
He kisses my neck, then asks, “Should I anticipate you being a little drunk when you get back? We can always stay another night.”
“No. I’ll have a couple of drinks, and then we can go back to Chicago.”
“Have fun,” he says before placing a fucking tempting kiss on my lips. “Put brunch on the card I gave you.”
Leaving the cottage in a sundress and denim jacket, I cannot believe how, a little over three months ago, I was post-orgasm glowing after hooking up with a random man making this same walk.
Now, I’m doing the same but am kind of engaged to him.
I laugh it off, not ready to consider the enormity of last night.
Stepping into Charlie’s, the girls are at a high-top table with two big balloons spelling out twenty-six.
“Happy Birthday!” They cheer in unison, and I smile.
“Well, you look amazing,” Sarah says as I sit down.
“Look at those,” Kelsey says, pushing my hair behind my ear.
Shit! I should have taken these earrings off. I forgot I was wearing them.
“Are those real?” Sam asks, then puts her engagement ring next to my earring. “Fuck you. How big are they?”
“I have no idea.”
“Don’t play dumb. How many carats?” she asks.
“Honestly, I don’t know. We went to a jewelry store, and the guy working there showed them to me, and Adam bought them. We didn’t talk about the details.”
I laugh to myself. We didn’t talk about the details. If that’s not a fucking metaphor for my relationship with Adam. I’m having the best time, but we have so, so much to discuss before I ever seriously get engaged to him.
“You’re welcome.” Kelsey giggles. “I believe I get credit for you and Adam happening.”
“It was a group effort!” Sarah yells.
Ben comes over to our table as we’re all giggling. “What are we drinking?”
“We’ll have a bottle of your most expensive champagne.” I smile. “Adam’s paying.”
“Thank you, Adam!” Kelsey says before smiling at Ben. I wonder if Ben has made a move on her yet. They hold a little stare before he leaves.
“Ben likes you,” I whisper.
“Please. He likes toying with me.”
“Mmm. I think he likes you.”
“You’re very intimidating, you know.” Sam laughs.
“We’re not talking about me,” Kelsey snaps and I smile at her because she is all talk and no game. “It’s Dani Day,” she says, and I shudder.
The last time I heard that phrase was from Sorin. The gifts. Adam’s gifts are not like Sorin’s gifts. I think about the semi-permanent bracelet Sorin got me … The only piece of jewelry I’ve ever had. The ownership it represented. Adam’s gifts are not about ownership.
“What does Adam even look like?” Sarah asks, pulling me back to the present. “You don’t post anything on social media anymore.”
“Adam’s really into privacy,” I say, opening my phone. “I’m starting to get more into privacy too.” I show the girls the photo the Sun-Times used in their article. It’s my favorite photo of us.
“The society section. Dani, the high society girl,” she teases, poking my side.
“But like … what’s wrong with him?” Sarah presses. “He seems too perfect.”
I shrug, not knowing how to answer that, although he did punch Sorin. That’s something I have not forgotten about. I still think it was an overreaction.
Over the next two hours, we kill two bottles of champagne and order so much greasy food. The Baddies are now all caught up in each other’s lives, and I can’t wait for Sam’s wedding next summer. Leaving Charlie’s, it sets in how twenty-six will be the best year of my life.