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His lips brushed against hers for the briefest of moments—too fast for her to really enjoy it. Then he released her. “Lunch,” he promised. “We’ll do lunch.”
Faye nodded. “Okay.”
Adam climbed into his truck and shut the door. She waved at him through the window before he started his truck and drove down the street.
Everything would be okay. He was just tired. That was all. Once he got some rest, he’d be back to his usual self.
* * *
“You feeling any better?”Faye leaned over the table at Sal’s Diner and reached for Adam’s hand. It looked like he’d showered and gotten a few hours of sleep. But he still didn’t seem like himself.
He offered her a smile. “I’m doing better.” If this was supposed to reassure her, it did the exact opposite.
She let out a sigh and settled back into her seat. “Can you tell me what’s bothering you?”
Adam jumped as if she’d caught him off guard.
“I’m here for you. Whatever is bothering you, I can help you with.”
His eyes flicked up to meet hers then dropped to the menu on the table in front of them. “I’m good. Promise.”
She snorted, her frustration growing. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am. It’s just been a rough couple of days.”
“You mean since that meal with my family.”
The way his eyes locked onto hers, she knew that was it. There was a darkness that hadn’t left since they’d walked away from the kitchen table. She was definitely to blame. Did he hate her family so much that he would rather sulk about a dinner gone wrong rather than flesh it out?
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You hate them, don’t you?”
His brows lifted. “Hate them? That’s a bit strong.”
“Well, don’t you? After dinner you were upset that I’d put you in an awkward position.”
He huffed, a dry chuckle filling the air as he shook his head. “Awkward position. You think that’s what this is about?”
“Isn’t it? You weren’t thrilled about being there with my family. I told you that they were a lot to handle, and you insisted that you could handle them. I knew we should have just taken off and skipped out.”
Adam shook his head again. “And if we had done that, how would your father feel about me then? If he was so quick to judge me based on an interest I have, then hedefinitelywouldn’t approve of me for skipping out on family dinner.”
“He would have gotten over it,” she insisted. “It was too soon, and that’s partially my fault.”
She had thought for a moment that he’d comment back, but all he did was let out a sigh and straighten in his seat.
The waitress arrived and they placed their orders, but as soon as she left, Faye turned back to Adam. “I—”
“Let’s just have a nice meal together, okay?” Adam’s weak smile did nothing to ease her conscience. “I’ve had a long couple of days and I’m just starting to feel normal.” He traced his thumb over her knuckles. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s only been a few days.”
“Well, going from seeing you nearly every day tonotseeing you made me suffer withdrawals.” He cocked his head to the side, his eyes studying her.
Faye squirmed beneath his gaze, wishing she could read his thoughts. The words she had on repeat in her head since she’d stopped by his work finally forced their way through. “I’m sorry,” she blurted.
“About what?”
“About not warning you about my dad. About not sticking up for you.”
