11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Adam
I sit on the sofa, flipping through People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive issue. Half an hour later, I hear the bedroom door open and look up to see her walking toward me.
She’s wearing dark blue jeans and a pink sweater, with a delicate gold necklace around her neck. Gold hoop earrings and ankle boots complete the look. Her hair is tied up in what women call a messy bun, with soft, loose strands framing her face. I don’t think she’s wearing any makeup, except maybe some lip gloss.
Without thinking, I walk over to her, take one of the loose strands between my fingertips, and tuck it behind her ear. Her subtle, sweet perfume overwhelms my senses, and all I want to do is pull her close. But I settle for a compliment. "You look beautiful."
On our way to Jon’s, Katie opens up about working with him. “Working with Dad has always been my dream," she says. "He’s teaching me everything there is to know about real estate. I love meeting clients, generating leads, showing properties, and marketing. But most of all, I love working with him. Linder Realty is my future.”
"Your face lights up when you talk about him," I say. "I know his plan is to leave you at the helm so he and Sharon can travel the world."
"He doesn’t think I’m too young?" she asks.
"You’re a competent realtor, Katie," I say. "He has complete confidence in your ability to run the firm."
She is her father’s daughter , I think to myself.
"Do you like what you do?" she asks.
“I do," I admit. "I usually have multiple real estate investment deals going at once. Up until now, I’ve been a one-man show, but I recently decided to take on a partner. It'll help me stay on top of everything without having to travel so much. I want to put down roots here.”
I glance over at her. Is that a hint of a smile?
“Aaron is my foster brother. He and his parents were my last foster family here in town. He’s a few years older than me, so he was already in college when I met him. He’s the friend I mentioned earlier—the one renting my condo with his wife. He oversees a lot of the work I can’t be there for. We make a good team.”
“Can I ask you something?” Katie’s tone is solemn.
I glance over at her and nod. “Of course.”
“Is there something going on between you and Meredith?”
A laugh bursts out of me, louder than I intended. “Meredith Sanders?” I repeat, trying—and failing—to stifle another chuckle.
“Don’t laugh,” she scolds, narrowing her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I say, still amused. “Meredith was my lab partner in tenth grade. She refused to dissect a frog, so I told her I’d do it—for a price. She let me do all the work and then said she owed me one. That was the extent of our relationship.” I pause before adding, “When I decided to buy a condo in Cold Spring, I googled realtors in the area, and her name popped up. So, I figured I’d finally cash in on that seventeen-year-old debt.”
Katie shoots me a skeptical glance.
I hold up a hand. “Scout’s honor.”
***
We arrive at her parents’ home, and I circle around to the passenger side, opening the door for her. As she steps out, I reach into the trunk and pull out some bouquets of flowers.
"Are any of those for me?" she asks, her eyes twinkling.
"Of course," I say handing her one of the bouquets. I grab the other three as she smiles and slips her arm through mine.
Sharon opens the door, and as always, I’m struck by her beauty and youthful appearance. It’s easy to see what Katie will look like in twenty years. She greets us with warm hugs and a kiss on the cheek.
“Did you two drive here together?” she asks, her eyes twinkling.
“Yeees, Mom,” Katie replies, her tone playful. She slips her arm from mine and hands Sharon one of the bouquets she's holding. “These are from Adam,” she adds, linking arms with her mother and gently steering her toward the hallway.
Sharon’s face lights up. “Thank you, Adam. They’re beautiful!”
I’ve been bringing her flowers for at least fifteen years, yet her reaction is always the same—pure delight, as if it’s the very first time. I smile as I watch them disappear into the kitchen.
Loud chatter and laughter point me in the direction I should go. Entering the living room, I see Loren, Justin, and Jon sitting on the edge of their seats, while Laila is standing holding a small card and yelling out words. It’s complete chaos, and I automatically know they’re playing Taboo. I love this game.
Laila sees me first, “Adam!” She walks over to me and gives me a big bear hug. I hand her white roses, which earns me a kiss.
The men walk over and give me a handshake and a hug.
Loren approaches me last and reaches for the roses. “These must be for me,” She says as she takes the flowers and stands on her tiptoes to give me a kiss on the cheek.
These people are my family. This is what I’ve been coming back to year after year after year. From the aroma of pot roast, fresh baked cookies and hot coffee to the laughter and cheerful voices that resound throughout the house, this is what makes me happy. The Linders.
I settle in next to Justin, quickly getting into the rhythm of the game. The room is filled with laughter, playful banter, and the occasional frustrated groan when someone blurts out a forbidden word.
A few minutes later, Jon glances at me. “Did you come with Katherine?” I catch the knowing look in his eyes and smile, nodding. He smiles too, as if filing that piece of information away for later.