Page 71 of Now or Never

Adam rolled his eyes. “You knew we’d have sex?”

“No, I knew you would fall in love with her. You fall in love so easily.”

“What? No, I don’t,” he said.

“You fell in love with my dog when we were twelve. Bawled your eyes out when he died.”

“Well, who wouldn’t? That was sad as fuck.”

“And Vanessa Surrel?”

Adam cringed. “Ugh, that was just . . . poor judgment,” he ground out. “Chelsea and I cleared the air. We’re friends. That’s it.”

Max rolled his eyes. “You said you didn’t want anything permanent.It’s why you made your stupid tier system. What are you doing to yourself?”

“Why are you so pissy with me lately?”

“I just . . .” Max took a deep breath, blew it out. “I’m worried about you. And her, too. She reminds me of Cara.”

“What? Why?”

“They’re the same age.”

Adam’s eyes went wide. There was no way Chelsea was the same age as Max’s little sister. Adam looked over at Ethan, who nodded a confirmation.

Shit.

“I just get the feeling that you’re going to torture yourself later about her. And her son.”

Adam let that sink in. Was it possible that he was right? Yeah. Of course he was right. He was trying his damnedest to be just friends with her, but there was something about her that drew him in and wouldn’t let go.

“Do you love her?” Ethan asked.

Adam’s shoulders slumped, and he nodded.

“Only as a friend?”

Adam shook his head. “No. But I’m going to fix it.”

Mark cleared his throat. “Can I offer a word of advice, Adam?”

“Yes, please,” Adam said, putting all his attention on Ethan’s dad, hoping for some sound steps to fall out of love.

“Don’t complicate simple matters,” he said.

Adam stared, waiting for Mark to continue, but he didn’t.

“I’m going to the spa,” Mark finally said. “Call me if you need me.” He took off in a jog to catch up to the rest of the spa-bound guests, leaving Adam dumbfounded.

“What the hell is simple about this?” Adam asked his friends.

Ethan and Max shrugged as they picked up the rest of the boxes and headed toward the house.

twenty-one

“Are you being good?” Chelsea asked Ben over the phone while putting in a pair of crystal chandelier earrings Natalie had given her as a maid of honour present.

“Yes, Mama,” Ben said. “Aunt Jae and I are filling out my birthday invitations.”

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