“I tried, I swear, but things just kept happening.”
“Mia—”
“Look, nothing to do about it now. I can relax with you and we can enjoy the party together.”
Adam crosses his arms and the serious look he had in the bar for months comes to his face. “There’s not a chance in hell you’re about to relax during the party. It’ll be a miracle if I can get you to sit down.”
I get why this piercing look keeps so many people at bay, but it’s a facade that I now see through. I reach for his hands, taking them in mine. “Well, you know who you’re dating, but at least you’ll be there with me.”
Adam groans, the frown on his face already weakening. “You’re taking tomorrow off.”
I nod, even though I know he wasn’t posing it as a question. “I’m taking tomorrow off. I’ve already talked to the managers on shift tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Adam concedes and pulls me into his warm body.
The movement isn’t hard or even that much distance, but when my chest connects to his, a wave of dizziness hits me hard.What the hell?
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to breathe in my nose and out my mouth as discreetly as possible. This will pass. Everything’s fine.
Adam runs a calming hand over my head. “Callie and Will aren’t here yet, but there are some people I would love for you to meet, if you’re feeling up for it?”
I take one more deep breath before slowly raising my head and praying I don’t get dizzy again.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
I automatically reach for Adam’s hand as we head out to the front. I don’t mind PDA. Frankly, I love being adored publicly and in private, but it seems I’m going to be clinging onto him tonight for stability and pleasure.
People are filtering into Winedown, and much to my surprise, it looks way better than before I went to get ready. It still feels hotter than I’d like, even though I turned the A/C down at least three times today.
“Is it hot in here?”
I’m sure that question comes off as my zero capability to chill, and it’s confirmed when I hear Adam’s soft chuckle.
“It’s fine, honey.”
Then why am I still sweating?
I take a deep breath. Maybe it’s just me obsessing over the details, and I’ll feel better once I can relax with Adam for a bit. Definitely need some food and water soon, but for now, Adam leads us right to a couple near the front.
The closer we get the more excited the woman gets. If it weren’t for her obvious baby bump and the way the man next to her pulls her tight, I’d be a little hesitant.
“Wyla, Jett, this is Mia. Mia, this is my old teammate, Jett, and his wife, Wyla.”
Wait, that name rings a bell. “Jett, as in your arcade game buddy?”
Adam laughs. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
Wyla raises her glass. “Listen, Adam and Callie both have had nothing but good things to say about you, but you having this nonalcoholic champagne has solidified it.”
I send a quick smile up to Adam, then turn back to Wyla. “I’m so glad. I had someone come help me taste them to make sure they were good.”
Adam wraps his arm around my shoulder, tugging me close to place a kiss on my temple.
My eyes shut on instinct as an empty nausea washes over me. Is he sure it’s not hot in here? Would it be weird if I asked Wyla?
“Well, Callie’s going to absolutely love this, and as someone who deeply adores her, I appreciate all the work you put into this.” Wyla looks to Adam. “I like how happy you look, too.”
“That, I am,” Adam says, moving his arm down to the small of my back.
