Page 83 of Never Till Now

“You don’t have to go that far with the compliment. I know Kelsie prefers it a little thicker.”

“You make her ice cream too?” I shamelessly devour the bowl in front of him.

“I used to. This was all she craved during her pregnancies, so I also had a large tub stocked in her freezer at all times.” He laughs.

I set the bowl down and look at him. The thoughtfulness of this man has exceeded my expectations for any human. He will go above and beyond for the ones he cares about, and I know he won’t let me down either. I smile, pressing my lips to his and feel another layer of armor dismantle. I’ve finally found the point of simply being happy and comfortable with receiving someone’s gestures.

It’s then I want him to need me.

A maraschino cherry rolls over the roof of my mouth. The smooth “plastic” coating expels juice as the pressure of my tongue increases upward. My Shirley Temple craving lands me thirty minutes early to the hotel lounge before I meet Adam. I swirl my drink watching the bubble float to the top as I think over how far I have come with healing. Another week with Adam has passed with him proving how he is much more than I could have asked for. He is my sense of what normalcy should feel like. I’m blossoming into someone who allows herself to enjoy her time with another person - beyond wrinkling the sheets.

I smile, remembering the past week of our cheesy tourist fun house museums, The concert in Golden Gate Park, soaking up the heat as we lay on a blanket. My head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat more than the live concert, sent a new signal to my brain of contentment. My heart flutters at my plan to admit I’m not opposed to a relationship title. Calling him my boyfriend doesn’t seem as scary since he hasn’t flaked off and prioritized my well-being. I embrace the warmth in my chest, knowing that he deserves a bit more of my soul. Maybe, commitment might not be as terrible as I’ve witnessed. I know I’m enjoying this new side of me. What I don’t know, is what the limo driver’s ears think of me after mine and Adam’s multiple drives the past week.

Max gives me a nod and says something to the young guy behind the bar who only served me three cherries.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come in here solo.” Max smiles as the other employee looks me up and down. “Adam is in the back room with his father.”

“I came a bit early. I told you I would stop by to hang out with you and the best cherries.” I smile, finishing my drink.

“She’ll take another Shirley Temple, no alcohol,” he calls out, drawing his eyebrows together. “And, Eric, this pretty lady gets a complimentary side dish of cherries every single time she visits. Remember that.”

“Thank you, Eric.” I smile back. “Are you guys hiring more staff for the fall?”

Max looks down at the counter as if it has an answer before meeting my eyes. A customer takes a seat at the opposite end of the bar, calling him over. Max holds up a finger and heads over to the guy that clearly knows him. An aggravated groan echoes around the corner. Adam stops at the opening entrance behind the bar with his clenched jaw.

His eyes remain forward on the shelf and I take it he hasn’t noticed me. Why he hasn’t entered to grab himself a drink beats me. The veins on his arms rise as his closed fists rest on the sleek counter. I’ve never seen Adam this angry. This is nothing like the bit of attitude he threw at Kelsie and me a few weeks back at the gym. I remain silent to see how this plays out. Eric makes his way over with Max behind.

“I’ll take a double bourbon,” Adam clips, nodding to Eric. “Top shelf.”

Eric turns to the shelf as Max shakes his head. “Hold off, Eric, he had a double before his meeting.”

What the hell?

“Do you want me to fire you on your last shift?” Adam squares his shoulders as growing tension vibrates off him.

“Fuck off, bro,” Max whispers though it’s a muted yell.

A few heads turn, taking notice of the bickering scene. George struts around the corner with a grim look and meets my eyes. They’re unreadable as he shakes his head and storms toward the lobby.

Was that disappointment?

“Max?” I make myself heard with high hopes of changing the tension if Adam notices me. “Is this really your last shift?”

“Yep. I decided to—” He goes to elaborate before Adam cuts him off.

“The guy down there keeps waving his glass.” Max’s glare burns through Adam before he takes off down the bar.

“Intense meeting?” I raise my eyebrows, hoping my confused expression stifles his attitude.

“What fucking gives?” His voice is sharp, like a knife to my gut and I curl inward.

“Okaaay,” I drag out as I stand, pushing my chair back to walk up to him. “If you want to toss around that much dick energy, you can use it to go fuck yourself.”

I’m close enough to know that nobody can hear me, and close enough to watch his temples dimple every time his jaw clenches.

“Weren’t we meeting later?” The hostility in his voice is enough to start my own rage.

“I don’t know why you’re in a tantrum state, but I’m leaving. I respect your family too much to start a scene.” I turn and head out of the lounge bar. Adam trails behind even though I know he could bypass me and beat me to my building.