56. Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter fifty-six
Peter
I’d been in what felt like a never-ending meeting, and while I was able to be an active participant, my energy was waning.
“Peter, go get some sleep, or at least lie down. I know you and Lukas have had several short nights and an extremely chaotic morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded at Lynette’s comment, but didn’t move right away.
Ryan clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Come on, I’ll walk with you.” As we left the war room, he glanced at me. “She trusts you implicitly.”
“Excuse me?”
Ryan looked over his shoulder in the direction of the war room. “Lynette. That woman is so impressed, not only with how you stepped up to help but also with how quickly you’ve earned Adair’s respect and trust.”
“I… I’m just—”
“Doing your job, I know.” He chuckled. “It never ceases to amaze me how many people are baffled by that response. Regardless, it’s been impressive to watch, and I’ve appreciated your assistance with everything in Colorado.”
“Thanks.”
When we got to Ryan’s door, he stopped and turned to me.
“If either of you need anything, please text me or come knock on the door. I don’t care what time it is.
” He glanced down the hall at her door. “Today went well, but that doesn’t mean tonight or tomorrow will.
This house holds a lot of memories for her. Both good and bad.”
“I will.”
After walking the short distance from his door to mine, I opened it, and my heart sank. Adair was curled up in the middle of the bed, head in her hands, shoulders shaking.
Shit.
I rushed to the opposite side of the bed, and tears were streaming down her face. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
“The memories…They… It’s too much.”
Kicking off my shoes, I crawled onto the bed and pulled her into my lap, wrapped my arms around her, and held her tight. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe.”
“I almost died in this house, Peter. This is where Lynette hid me and helped Doc patch me together until I was stable enough to move.” She shook her head and balled her hands up in my shirt, securing herself against me. “If it hadn’t been for Derek…”
I kissed the top of her head. “He was an amazing man, and I wish I could have had the honor of meeting him.”
Adair sniffled. “You two have a lot in common.”
“We do?”
“Yep. You’re taller, though.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay?”
She snuggled into my chest, forcing another shaky breath in and out. “Can you distract me? Tell me something absolutely ridiculous. I need to get out of my head.”
I’m falling in love with you, but I don’t want to scare you away or make you feel more overwhelmed than you already are.
I cleared my throat. “I’ve never had sushi before.”
Adair shook her head. “Nice try.”
“No, I’m being serious. It’s not for a lack of wanting, I’ve just never had it.”
She sat up, a dumbfounded expression on her face. “Really?”
“Scout’s honor.”
Adair stared at me for a moment before letting out a shaky breath. “We’re going to have to remedy this.”
I half-smirked, pleased I’d been able to distract her on the first try. “I’m assuming you’ve had it before?”
A genuine smile appeared on her face. “Oh yeah. I freaking love sushi, but it’s been years since I’ve had any.” She let out a sigh. “Not since I left Chicago.”
An idea popped into my head. “Would you like to?”
Adair blinked several times before furrowing her brow. “Like to what? Get sushi? I’d absolutely love to, but I don’t want to start skipping around the city right now.”
I adjusted the blanket wrapped around her. “So we have someone pick it up.”
A little laugh came out. “I forget that’s an option now.”
I took her face in my hands. “I know there are a lot of adjustments coming up, and it’s probably going to be overwhelming, but I want to do everything possible to make this easier on you. I’m going to need some guidance, though. I don’t want to overstep.”
Adair leaned into my hand and let out a sigh. “You’ve already done so much.”
My heart beat a little faster in my chest as I soaked in how much adoration there was in her eyes. “And I will keep it up. You’re more than worth it.”
Tears appeared in her eyes as she nodded. “Thank you.”
“So, when do you want to have this sushi date?”
She chuckled. “Later. I just want to lay here with you for a while.”
“Deal.”
We both shifted and got comfortable in the bed. Adair immediately wrapped her arm around me and rested her head on my chest, letting out a deep sigh moments later. I ran my fingers through her hair, listening as her breaths relaxed and turned into soft snores.