Chapter 11
“Old-fashioned, thanks,” I say to the bartender in the dim-lit trendy mixology bar.
Is Gideon just an attraction or a distraction from Adam? Either way, it’s lust.
Adam Harris
Ten minutes out.
You are not going to sleep with him today. You’re going to have a drink and go home—alone. Even though it’s always so good … No. You’re done.
“Peanut.” Adam kisses my cheek and sits on the stool beside me. “Have you heard from Gideon since you left the meeting? He sent me a weird email.”
Fuck. Please, God, I hope he did not tell Adam about our moment.
“Have not heard from him. What did he say?” I sip my drink, trying to bring my heart rate down and not think about how much I like Adam in a suit.
His piercing blue eyes still look at me the same. He’s in love with me. I feel guilty and conflicted, and I need a clean break to gather myself.
“He doesn’t want to hire someone who has my ear.” Adam scoffs, running his hand through his thick brown hair. “I told you. He’s precious.”
“He did ask me what our situation was,” I confide.
“What did you say?” He traces my arm with his finger.
“That I broke up with you.”
“One of these days, you’re going to give in.” He squeezes my thigh, but I don’t trust him yet. I don’t believe he’s worked through his anger.
Well, there goes my idea of having the “we’re not sleeping together anymore” conversation.
I need to find a better moment to have that chat.
And I cannot sleep with him now or ever again.
I also don’t want to think about what would happen to my business if I cut Adam out of my life.
Nearly my entire client list came from Adam’s introductions.
“Vodka soda,” he orders.
“Vodka?” I ask, shocked. “Who are you?”
“Trying something new.” He breathes, then kisses me on the cheek.
“Adam,” I warn.
“I know. Sue me for loving you.” His eyes hold mine, and I almost recant my vow to go home alone.
“I’m surprised you were able to get away.”
“You’re hard to lock down these days, Dani. I couldn’t miss an opportunity.”
I’ve been trying to build more space between us since we last slept together so I can decide what I’m going to do with him.
“I haven’t seen this in a while,” he says, tracing his finger on the ring. I don’t know why I felt like putting it on today. I haven’t worn it in … I don’t even remember the last time I wore it.
“Do you think Lily will like this?” he asks, showing me a photo of a horse.
His younger brother Eric told me about this.
Adam has wanted to buy his niece Lily a horse ever since they went to this horse farm together.
I’m happy he’s spending more time with both of them.
It’s been a priority of his since starting therapy.
“Of course she would … but it’s a lot of responsibility for Eric too. I don’t think he has the bandwidth for that right now.”
“He would if he would let me hire a nanny.”
“I agree with him on that,” I say, thinking about the conversations I’ve had with Eric about Lily’s growing attachment issues since her mom has been unreachable for months.
Adam squints. “How often do you and my brother talk?”
“Don’t be jealous. That’s a bad look on you,” I say, sipping my drink. “I happen to have some experience with having an addict for a parent.”
He rubs his face. “You’re right,” he softly says.
“You have to see how Lily wants a mom in her life. I’m trying to keep my distance because she’s too attached to me, and I think if he hired a nanny and then the nanny quit or whatever, it would be really bad for her.”
Adam sighs, nodding.
“Has anyone heard from her mom?”
“There’s a rumor she hooked up with some guy and is living in Greece now.”
A forgotten memory resurfaces, and I bury my face in my hands. My parents’ house. Mom looking out the window and calling all my dad’s friends, asking if they knew where he was. There’s so much of my childhood that I’ve blocked out.
“Instead of buying her a horse, maybe buy her a few horse riding lessons and join her,” I suggest, not letting my mind spend too much time with that memory.
“I like that idea. You’re great with her, you know.” He smiles, then shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be jealous that you’re talking to my brother more than me.”
“Something for you to talk about in therapy.” I smirk, then sip my drink.
“What are you talking to your therapist about?” he asks, raising a brow.
“I told you. I don’t need it. I’m fine.”
“You want everyone to go to therapy but you.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m never fucking going back to therapy,” I firmly say, thinking about the eight sessions I did after Sorin. They were solely focused on my childhood, and I’d rather not beat that dead horse again. “That’s a hill I’m going to die on.”
“Peanut,” he says, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“Another thing we talked about that you are not respecting …” He needs to stop calling me Peanut. “We’re not even together.”
“Sure, whatever you say.” He scoffs, taking a sip of his vodka soda. “I’m assuming you also haven’t made that other appointment yet?”
“Way to ruin my drink.”
“It’s hard to get an appointment. You should get on his calendar.”
Yet another reason why I need to end things with Adam. He still thinks we’re going to get married and have a fucking baby. Two things I do not want right now.
“I told you. I’m not doing any pre-conception planning.”
“Your arm birth control thing is getting taken out in October. Why not knock out pre-conception consulting before then?”
“It’s getting replaced in October,” I correct.
“Or not.”
“That would be so convenient for you,” I sass.
“I live a very convenient life.”
“If I make an appointment, will you promise to not bring up impregnating me until after I see the doctor?”
He smirks.
I sigh, reaching for my phone to schedule it. I scroll through the calendar to find an appointment. Shit. This guy does book out months in advance.
“September seventh at one p.m.”
“That wasn’t so hard,” he says, squeezing my hand.
“You’re welcome,” I say with an edge, rolling my eyes. “Your birthday is in a few days,” I change the subject. “Are you really just having a party at your house?”
“If ten grand in catering and black tie is ‘just,’ then yes.” He chuckles.
“Who’s coming?”
“You, the team, principles of our investments, my friends … nothing crazy.”
My mind goes straight to Gideon, who fits the category of “principles of our investments.” He’s going to be at that party. Fuck, Declan will also be there.
Fanfuckingtastic.