Page 28 of Lost Summer
“Get to know me then,” Adele breathed, reaching for her glass. “Before I get too drunk to speak rationally.”
I grinned, butterflies unleashed in my stomach when she looked at me, her eyes searching mine.
Orion and Phillip were deep in conversation, albeit probably forced, but I turned my attention to Adele, gazing at her mouth.
“Do you still like to dance like no one is watching?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Adele laughed, tilting her head. “No, not anymore. I’ve got zero coordination.”
“You do; I remember it well.” I winked. “You drink wine now.” I nodded at the glass in her hand.
Adele nodded, holding up the glass innocently. “I’m classy.”
I had to fight the urge to drag her towards me when she bit her lip, dropping her gaze from mine.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” I blurted out, unable to contain my adoration for her. “I can’t believe you’re single, and we’re sitting here now...like this.”
I reached out for her hand, and to my surprise, she let me take it, shuffling closer to me on the sofa.
“I thought you were a dream, you know.” I lifted her hand to my lips, kissing each knuckle as she shivered, her legs clamping together. “I would see you in my dreams, and as the years went by, I wondered if I’d made you up. You were so perfect. You still are.”
“I dreamt about you, too. I used to think I’d see you in busy shopping centres,” Adele mused, allowing her hand to rest in mine.
Holding Adele’s hand felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“I used to imagine you’d come up for the day, shopping or something, and our eyes would meet...” Adele’s voice trailed off as she shook her head.
“Like this?” I tilted my head to meet her gaze, and she rolled her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then what?” I pressed, my thumb circling the soft part of her palm. “Tell me, Adele.”
Adele blushed, giving her hair a quick tuck behind her ear. “I can’t tell you the rest.”
“No?” I smirked, edging closer to her. “I bet I can guess it.”
“Is that a challenge, Ted?” Adele asked, her voice laced with amusement.
“Yeah. It is. If I guess your dream right, I win. If not, you win,” I offered, aware our hands were still entwined.
“What do I get if I win?” Adele demanded to know, leaning forward with interest.
“Whatever you want.” I shrugged, grinning from ear to ear.
This girl.
“And if you win?” Adele looked at me expectantly.
“Whatever I want.”
14
ADELE
The alcohol was to blame.
It had loosened my inhibitions, making the world feel softer and more forgiving. The bar, which had been bustling with noise and warmth, now seemed distant, like a memory fading into the background. I was hyper-aware of Ted beside me, his hand still entwined with mine, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. The contact was electric, sending shivers up my arm and heating my core.
