Page 27 of Down the Aisle
Unless James disappeared or forgot about me, I wouldn’t ever be able to settle or have an ounce of solace in my life.
Pulling away, I helped Mary pack the rest of the cookies. To further pass the time, I decided to break the peaceful silence. "Mary, what can you tell me about Adam?" I didn't know who else to go to for information, and I was at a loss when it came to social media. I could ask Eve for help, but she already had so much on her plate—I didn't want to add something so trivial to it.
Smiling and chuckling warmly, Mary flashed me a cheeky wink. "He's downright handsome, obviously." She snickered, making me roll my eyes. "As I said, he's a good man, always helping people around the town whenever he's out and about, never afraid to offer a lending hand either, as you probably experienced at the grocery store that day."
Yeah, that was the whole problem. He sounded perfect. Too fucking perfect, and no one was perfect. Even saints had their sins, was how I always saw things.
With a warm and encouraging smile, she squeezed my hand with beaming eyes. "Just do both of your sakes a favor and give him a chance and take things slow. You only have one shot in a lifetime at true love, and it's better you shoot and miss than don't shoot at all and live with regrets."
Sighing heavily, I flashed her a lopsided smile. "No promises, but I'll try if I cross that path." I wasn't confident about it, probably because I had little intention to do so.
I couldn't be selfish and let myself be happy like that, not at Asher's expense. If I got comfortable and James found Asher, then our lives would be turned upside down. The last thing I wanted was to have Asher back in his biological father's grasp. I had to keep a clear head and remain vigilant to protect my son.
Changing the subject a little, I asked in a genuinely curious voice, "Is he really a businessman? Or do you know what he does for work?"
Mary instantly gushed over Adam like some proud mother with how her eyes lit up like a beacon in the night. "Oh, that boy has got his life set with how he runs things. Struck it lucky right out of school and landed a position at Goliath Financial, then expanded to some of the casinos along the coast before the hotels and restaurants came, and all the other little businesses here and there naturally came with the years."
Huffing, she hooked her hands on her hips as she finished boxing up the last of the cookies. "And he's such an amazing son. He shared a lot of the money with his parents. Started up a vineyard for them in eastern Oregon to let them live out their dream. That boy is a godsend. Hopefully, you'll snatch him off the market before someone bad can." Looking at me with a kind grin, she shoved a few of the boxes into my arms. "Those are for you and Asher, and since you're going to be seeing Adam, could you give him his portion as well?"
Rolling my eyes, I tightened my hold around the boxes, and smiling gratefully, I leaned my head onto her shoulder in an armless hug. "Thank you, Mary." It was impossible to say no to her whenever she offered me food. Well, it wasn't even so much an offer as it was a demand.
With a warm chuckle that sent shivers of calm down my body, Mary urged me toward my bag with a pat on my back. "Drive safe now, alright? And have a good evening."
"I will," I replied with a widening smile. "And you and Rob have a good one yourselves."
Chapter 10
Adam
The joyful sound ofAsher's laughter warmed the room up, along with the soft scent of herbs, cheese, and boiling pasta as the two of us goofed around in the kitchen.
The toddler sat in his highchair while I bounced back and forth between him and the stove, tossing the occasional shred of cheese onto his tray to keep him occupied between our jamming.
Fortunately, the little dude loved Baby Shark…
… Unfortunately, he loved Baby Shark.
I swear, every child in the whole world was obsessed with that song. Yeah, it was a little annoying, but I’d gotten to the point where my ears had become numb to the song after hearing it constantly around the house—thanks, Adelaide.
Bending down to the child, I tickled his nose with a chuckle. "You think Mommy's gonna like this?" I asked in a baby voice, looking at Asher as if he'd actually answer me. "And you know, don't tell your mommy this, but I think she is the most beautiful woman ever." At least my secrets would be safe with him. "I'd do anything for her."
Anything.
I mean, I already had a man sacked for her safety, even if she didn't know it. Turns out, her apartment complex manager had had quite the record as a Peeping Tom and for abusing his power with the master keys. I still wanted to deal with him, but that was problem for later—not like he'd be going anywhere chained up in the bunker.
"I gotta make sure the bad man doesn't ever snatch any panties ever again." I probably shouldn't be saying that so nonchalantly to the kid with a smile on my face, but not like he could understand any of it.
And I gotta buy your mommy some new panties.
That needed to be added to my to-do list. The thought of that idiot's grubby hands touching my Eliza's private clothes, the ones that touched her so intimately, made my blood boil with disgust. That scumbag wouldn't have any grubby fingers left to use after I was done with him later tonight.
Now, just how the hell would I replace her stock of old undies? I mean, as straightforward as it'd be to give her a box full of them, that'd probably cause her to pull back from me. Pushing my luck with her wouldn't be wise after the stunt I pulled that morning.
Actually…
Soft creaks from the bones in my neck echoed in my ears as I turned to look at her closet. Her outfits were pathetic. No, I wasn't mocking her or anything like that. Okay, maybe pathetic wasn't the right word to describe her poor closet.
How the hell was I gonna go about her bland fashion sense without sounding like a pompous asshole? I wanted to upgrade her bland wardrobe without insulting her or sounding like a pompous asshole, but I didn’t know how. Was I the most fashionable man out there? Fuck no, but I knew a boring closet when I saw one. Ironic, given the fact my closet and dresser contained the same damn outfits, or at least I wore the same ones for most of the week, gray sweatpants or basketball shorts with a white shirt, Occasionally, I switched it up with a black shirt, but that was it unless I had an outing, in which case, I cycled between various suits. I had jeans and nice pants as well, but again, those were only worn occasionally.
