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“Oh,” Adam utters, his brows coming together in a furrow. And goddammit, even that’s sexy. “You live together?” He asks.
“Uh, no. But he’s serious about us.”
“I see,” he states, his expression still fiery. “Are you?”
My mouth falls open at his intrusive question. I can’t reconcile this assertive man with the quiet, reserved boy I grew up knowing. Such assurance in his speech, such confidence in his demeanor! Adam has truly grown into his full potential as a man.
When he texted me our meeting time, he insisted on getting my address so he could pick me up. We drove here in an amicable back-and-forth of questions about our families, the people we know in common from back home, and what our lives are like now.
Adam is a hedge fund at some big financial firm and seems to love his work, his apartment, and all around his life in Charleston. He didn’t mention a woman, but as handsome as he is and with his newfound alpha-maleness, I doubt he lacks feminine attention. He doesn’t give me player vibes, but there’s definitely a hint of boldness in that tall, built, sexy form.
So far, I loved our easy banter. Until the delicate subject of the status of my relationship with Michael came up.
I sigh loudly, pushing back my impulse to tell Adam off, then admit honestly, “I don’t see myself with him in the long term.”
“Does he know that?” he pushes, his dark gaze intense. I shake my head. “There a reason you haven’t told him?”
This man will not give me any reprieve!
“I guess I don’t want to hurt him?” I say, more as question than a statement. “And I was giving things time, you know. See if maybe my feelings would change?” I admit to both Adam and myself. For the first time, allowing myself to be entirely honest about my feelings for Michael.
Adam nods solemnly before adding in a firm, almost commanding tone, “you need to tell him.”
“I know.” Is my quiet response. “I will,” I add with a small smile.
Already dreading the conversation that can only hurt the ego, if not the feelings, of a good man.
“It’s for the best,” he insists.
“I know, Adam,” I repeat.
He stares at me intently, his brown eyes saying a thousand words his mouth won’t utter. Then he nods pensively.
“Okay, we’ll finish this conversation after you’ve spoken to him.”
What is happening?! I stare at Adam, mouth agape, and he winks at me with mischief. I definitely want some of whatever he took to turn the shy boy into a delectably confident man.
Maybe sensing that I’m close to bolting, Adam changes the subject. “Any plans to visit home?”
“Yeah, I’m trying to plan a week away soon,” I answer with a grin, my nerves relaxing a bit at the thought of my family and spending some time in our hometown.
“Me too.” He smiles back. “Do you go home often?”
“I try to go visit every couple of months. My schedule allowing, of course.”
He nods. “Yeah, it’s about the same for me. When exactly are you going?”
I let him know when I’m flying out of Charleston, and we continue chatting. The earlier tension dissipating.
* * *
“I had a great time, Maya.”
Adam stands a few steps below me on my front porch stairs, our eyes level.
“Me too, Adam,” I respond in kind.
“I’ll see you soon, yeah?” he asks in a low rumble, climbing up one step to close the distance between us.
