Page 38 of Lucy Loves Him Not
“I’m tired of that being true. Youdidtake away my role at the festival. It’s not mine anymore. This,” I pointed at the papers on the table, “isn’t my festival.”
“You’re right. It isn’t your festival, Lucy. It’s not mine, either. It’s the city’s. The city management team came up with these plans. Not me, might I remind you.”
This was the Adam I feared all along. Worried that behind the silly guy teasing me, surprising me, delighting me yesterday,was a callous government worker quietly working to pull the rug out from under me.
“Did you even try to fight it?” I asked, unable to contain the hurt in my voice. “Or pushback even a little?”
“Would you believe me if I said I did? Because you’re coming at me like I drew these up by myself.” He picked up the plans and shook them.
“You are the guy in charge. I know you had a hand in this. You can’t just put this on the team like they did it behind your back,” I said, angry because part of me was hoping that maybe somehow that was true.
“Fine. No, I didn’t push back. I had the original idea to cut it back some—then it spiraled. This proposal isn’t what I intended.” He dropped the papers back down on the table, his gaze downcast.
“I can’t believe this.” I stood up, my heart racing.Had he been wanting to be pals so I wouldn’t get too mad when he showed up with plans like this?“I knew you were going to do something like this. Acting all chummy with me yesterday, knowing all along you were going to cut something behind my back.”
Adam drew in a breath like I’d hit him in the gut. “I was waiting until I had some actual plans to show you. I wasn’t workingbehind your back. You just want to assume the worst with me.”
“What happened to fifty-fifty, Adam?” I demanded.
“Why do you think I’m here?” He stood up, too, so we were face to face. Both of us were out of breath, angry. “These aren’t final. I had the idea to cut it back, the team came up with this proposal, and now you and I figure it out together. Fifty-fifty.”
Oh.My blood slowed.He wasn’t asking me to agree with this. He was asking for my input.“You could’ve led with that, Adam.”
“I wanted to talk to you right away. I didn’t strategize like I normally would.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“But cutting back was your original idea?” I leaned down and picked up the plans.
“Some. Not to this extent.” He adjusted his glasses nervously.
I chewed on my lip, glancing from the plans to him. “After my input, these won’t look the same.”
“I have a lot of people breathing down my neck wanting more money. I have new vendors wanting more space. But I also haveyou,” he twisted his hands anxiously, “and your grandmother, and the heart of the students to think about.”
He had me, and my grandmother, and the students on his mind.His words made me melt like ice cream on a hot afternoon.
The anger and frustration were gone, but there was still something coursing through my body, making my breath short, my heart quick. Adam was always doing something to my body.
I glanced up and saw Olivia watching us from her spot resting on her elbows at the kitchen counter. I didn’t want her to know from the look on my face or the tone in my voice that I didn’t want to fight with Adam anymore, that instead I wanted to grab him by his stupid button-down.
I shouldn’t cave so easily over a few sweet words and big blue eyes. I couldn’t lose my focus.
“Okay, let’s get to work.” I sat down on the couch.
Adam nodded, sitting back down beside me.
What was annoying about Adam now was how much I was starting to like him.
Fourteen
Adam
hey I wanted to thank you for working with me on the art show plans. I was really happy with how we worked it out. I’m glad you’re there to remind us (me) who the festival is about. You’re also a dang good negotiator.
Me
Thank you for bringing it all to me right away, open to all my input and changes - and negotiations ;)
Adam
