Page 286 of A Matter of Time

“You know, it’s really a big deal that he was here with us,” Dylan told me. “It feels like he’s going to be permanent this time, doesn’t it.”

And I didn’t tell her that I had been thinking the exact same thing.

“What are you wearing?” She had finally noticed the inside-out Diva T-shirt.

“Just never mind.”

It was nice to hear her laugh.

My eventful night ended with Sam cooking me breakfast at one in the afternoon since both of us had been up since four in the morning. Sam checked in at work, having called out earlier in the day, and I got hold of Sadie and told her I’d be back in the office the following morning. She was still at the hospital visiting Dylan, and told me that she had checked email and phone messages and rescheduled all my appointments for the following week. The office was closed on account of the baby. I told her Aubrey Flanagan was coming in on Monday, and she responded truthfully that she couldn’t care less, she just wanted to hold Micah.

Sam made omelets, and we sat and talked. Afterward, I did the dishes. He passed out on the couch around three, and I left to go home and shower and change. I made sure to leave a note.

SIX

Ihad just gotten off the phone with my friend Sloane—I’d apologized for leaving her the night before, which she appreciated, but she said it had been one of the best times of her life, so I was forgiven—when there was knocking on my front door. Since I thought it was probably Sam, I went to answer in only my jeans. I was surprised to find Brandon Rossi on my doorstep instead.

“Hey,” I said, pulling my T-shirt on as I looked at him. “What’s up?”

“I called your office earlier, and your assistant said you were all out today.”

I was guessing Sadie had routed the office phone to her cell, which I did as well when it was my turn to cover. “Yep. We’re closed due to baby.”

He gave me the ghost of a smile. “I have no idea what that means.”

I grinned back. “My partner, Dylan, she had her baby early this morning.”

“Oh, well, give her my congratulations.”

“I will.”

“Your assistant gave me your address. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No,” I lied. I would have to talk to Sadie about that.

He cleared his throat, smiling sheepishly. “Look, Jory, I just wanted to come over here in person and say how sorry I was about the other night. Adam and I just completely lost track of what we were doing.”

“Sure.” I smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it.”

“But see, I really wanted to spend some time with you, and Adam, he…he’s crazy about that girl and⁠—”

“Adam’s done, man,” I said with a cackle, seeing a familiar head of hair appear as he climbed the stairs. I loved his hair; the dark brown waves, how thick it was, and all the colors in it, streaks of copper, mahogany, and bronze.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that Aubrey Flanagan is now dating Rick Jenner. Adam needs to let it go.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“No.” I smiled over his shoulder at Sam. The way he was looking at me with his dark blue eyes brought back the night before. I felt my face heat.

“Are you okay?” Brandon asked. “You’re all flushed.”

“Fine,” I said.

“What?”

“What?” I was listening now.