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“There is…are you interested in applying?” I ask. I have a small board of residents that meets monthly to discuss the library and the town’s needs. They are all prominent members of the town, so it would be strange for Jace to be a member since he’s not here often. Although I swear, I see him more than some people in town that hang out on Main Street daily.
“You should apply,” Adam’s deep voice penetrates the winter air.
Jace turns slowly, his eyes widening as he realizes who spoke. “Adam,” he says with a nod.
“Jace,” Adam replies, his tone slightly warning.
“I was just…” Jace trails off.
“You should apply,” Adam repeats. “Don’t you have a degree in literature? You could be helpful to the library. Are you planning to be around town more often?”
Jace shrugs. “My business is still predominantly in the city, but I could make monthly meetings. I’d love to help the library make more connections with some of the book-world folks in the city,” Jace adds.
“Your marketing firm works with some publishers, yes?” Adam asks coolly.
“Yes, we do,” Jace says.
“Seems like Jace here would make a good addition to your board,” Adam says. I can see his jaw tic, but otherwise, he remains neutral, very un-Adam-like.
Jace looks from Adam to me and steps back. “I…I’ll follow up with you next time I’m in town, Isa. Good to see you. And congrats again,” Jace says, he gives an almost imperceptible nod to Adam and then walks away.
“Wow, driving and not pummeling Jace. Who are you?” I ask, my voice laced with a combination of surprise and admiration.
“A man who’s been growing…a lot.” He pauses and searches my eyes. Shit, why does he have to look so…hopeful?
“Isa, I wanted to take you over to the house. I mean, if you have a minute,” he says, looking around us.
“I got it. Elisha just went to put the bakery stuff away. She said she’d help me break down our tent. Go,” Ainsley urges, motioning with her hand for me to leave.
“You sure, kiddo? This tent is a pain in the ass.”
She giggles. “I may have asked my brother and his friends to help.”
I look over to see the group of boys who were cheering on Adam at the ice cream shop.
“Oh, look, it’s Wellington! Dude, you’re a freaking legend!” Ainsley’s brother, Kaden, says.
I laugh. “Yeah, Mr. Wellington, a legend,” I repeat, my voice mocking.
He groans. “Thanks, guys. Isa?” He puts out his arm and I tentatively take it, grabbing my bag as I wave to Ainsley. Ella is walking up with Elisha and she smiles at me. Elisha smirks and I give her a “what do you know that I don’t” look. She shrugs and makes an angel halo over her head with her finger.
I roll my eyes. Adam opens the passenger car door and I climb inside.
When he gets in the driver’s side, he looks over at me. “I swear to you, you were awarded that grant all on your own, Isa. But I did intentionally restore the house for you.”
I nod and he drives us down the street and around the corner. It’s honestly close enough to walk, but I decide to let him drive.
“So, you’re driving again?” I ask.
“I am. I researched the safest vehicles and traded out all my cars for them. If I’m going to drive or have my loved ones in cars, then they will be indestructible.”
“Adam…I mean, no car is…” I trail off as I glance at him.
“I know, but…watch,” he says with a smirk. He stops the car and then reverses it on a side street straight into a construction barrel.
“Adam!” I screech as we hit it.
It’s not hard, but I can’t imagine it didn’t make a small dent in his bumper.
