Page 41 of Lost Love Found

“I’m pretty tired. I’m gonna head to bed. I’ll clean up tomorrow.” I kiss his cheek, but make it quick. “Goodnight, Adam.”

He kisses my forehead and lets out a deep breath I feel on my cheek. “Goodnight, L.”

* * *

The next morning, I wake up to a perfectly clean kitchen and a warm feeling in my chest knowing Adam did that for me.

His schedule is full and he leaves early most mornings. Occasionally we get to have breakfast together and it’s so easy, being around him. It’s like he fits here. He picks up where I leave off, washing the coffee pot and taking Frankie out in the early mornings. We hardly see each other between his training and shooting schedules, and I haven't been shy about taking on some commitments, from a possible project to guest lectures I've been invited to give at different colleges. Apparently I’m not that great at taking a break from work, but these feel different. I’ve wanted to pursue lecturing but never had the time for it.

I figure the only way to keep my mind off him this week was to do something girly and indulgent, so I headed to a lingerie boutique on Melrose. I picked out sheer black stockings, a lacy lingerie set in ivory, a corset with velvet straps… I couldn't help being drawn to the lingerie's soft textures and sensual cuts. By the time I got to the counter, my arms were overloaded.

Just as I was leaving, Sandra called asking Adam and me to make a public appearance together. Despite how little time we’ve had together lately, I assured her we'd do our best.

Hey, want to go get some ice cream when you’re home tonight?

Sandra needs us to be seen together and there’s a great spot we can walk to on Sunset

ADAM

I’d love that. I miss your face.

And your hugs.

I do my very best not to read into him using my line back on me, or that he misses my hugs. Hugs are friendly, after all.

I run a few more errands to make myself not count down the minutes until I see Adam, and by the time I get home he’s just pulling in as well. I leave my bags in the car, not wanting him to see the giant bags of lingerie. I start to walk toward him, and he breaks into a full run towards me, scooping me up in a hug that has my feet dangling off the ground.

“My Tornerose. I missed you so much.” His beard tickles me and I can’t hide the giggle building up inside me. I also can’t ignore the bubbly feeling that builds in my stomach and travels up to my chest. My Tornerose. My. My.

“Hi. How do we see each other less living in the same house?” He sets me down and I take in his face. His hair is longer, his beard is shorter. So short I can see his dimples underneath it. “Hi.”

“I know. It’s not fair. I need to see more of you. Notes on the kitchen counter won’t do.” He’s smiling, tucking my hair behind my ear as he scans my face like he hasn’t memorized it already.

“Well, no need for notes tonight. Let’s go grab that ice cream. I’ll just get Frankie quickly.”

17

why?

adam

The smell of her, the sight of her in that sundress, the feel of her body against mine and her hands in my hair… I want to drown in this moment, live in it forever. I’ve missed her voice, her sweet giggle, and the way she smiles up at me with those golden flecks shining in her green eyes. How she always says hi quietly the second time after we hug.

We’ve had such long shoot days and in between shooting there have been so many meetings, trying to make this next project work. I haven’t told anyone about taking on a producer role in a movie because nothing is official yet, so I’ve had to be a bit mysterious about what all of these meetings are about. I want to tell Elaina though. I’ve been dying to talk to her about it.

She comes skipping out with Frankie on her heels, smiling and reaching for my hand. How can she think this is just friendship? She’s it for me. I don’t want ice cream with any other girl. I don’t want anything with anyone that isn’t her.

“Alright, so Sandra was pretty adamant that we look…um…affectionate. I’d rather not have anything specific planned because I’m not very good at acting, so are you OK if we just… improvise?” Her brows are furrowed and she’s looking up at me, nervously biting her lower lip again.

“Yeah, Lainey. Let’s do that. Let’s just have fun, OK?” Let’s just do what we always do, except I want my lips on your lips regardless of who’s watching or not watching. She smiles and nods, seeming satisfied with my answer.

We walk hand-in-hand, looking at the signs of Spring popping up all over the city, which in LA is basically just what people wear, since there really isn't much of a winter to speak of. We both laugh when Frankie hides behind one of us at the sight of anyone who isn’t a woman or child.

We get to the ice cream shop and Elaina orders something with strawberries in it. Of course. I go for the mint chocolate chip, and we sit at a table outside while I try not to lose my shit as she moans while licking the side of her ice cream cone.

We’re sitting on a bench and she's leaning against my arm, her laughter lingering in the air. As she looks up at me, I notice the smudge of ice cream under her lip. She licks it away before I can, and I’m transfixed by the sight of her tongue just like that first night in London.

“Lainey?” I whisper in her ear.

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