Page 75 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
"Or you're choosing your battles.There's a difference between hiding and setting boundaries."
Something shifts inside me."Chuck would have insisted I go.Would have had the whole evening mapped out to maximize networking opportunities."
"I'm not Chuck," Adam says simply, but there’s an edge to his voice.Because it's not the first time he reminds me of that.
"No," I agree."You're not."
My eyes drift to the glass heart ornament on the dresser, catching the Christmas lights.The one thing Chuck still wants from me, perhaps the only thing that survived our marriage intact.I turn away from it, from the memory of him dismissing something so precious as "just glass" while simultaneously trying to claim it.
"I should still finish these though."I wave to the charts in front of me.
Adam nods, accepting my choice without pushing."The offer stands.If you change your mind."
I don't reply, but I can't help the small smile that forms.He sees it.I know he does.
He grabs his coat."I'll see you later, Foster."
I don't answer.
But I watch him leave, wondering when exactly I started measuring time by the moments until I see him again.
This wasn't the plan.One night was supposed to be enough.
It's not.Not even close.
Ten minutes later, Sally bangs at my door with urgency in her voice that has me jumping up, “Eve, Santa’s mother needs help.”
Chapter twenty-three
ADAM
Ididn’ttellher,but I still have the brain.
Not because I thought she’d come back for it.
But because I never wanted to let it go.
The town square is packed, Christmas lights reflecting off fresh snow.The tree towers over everyone, decked out in more lights than probably necessary, waiting to be lit up.I scan the crowd, nodding to a few clients, until I spot Wes near the cider stand.
“Look who it is,” Wes says, handing me a cup.“I can’t believe you’re taking the time to stop preparing that syllabus.Or did you find a way to pretend you don’t really want it so you can stay here and help Pine Creek with… everything?”
I snort.“That program is everything I’ve worked for.My chance to do something from the ground up and the funding will help the practice I’m starting up again there, it’s going to be everywhere.”
Wes shifts.“Think you’ll keep doing career days over there too?”
“Definitely.”I lift my shoulder.“I thought about staying, you know.”
“I know.I’m pretty sure Kellan won’t believe you actually moved, until you do.”
“It’s … just… Megan and you… and my parents.And the clinic.Everyone’s counting on me.”
“Not counting on you.Don’t get me wrong, I know I can count on you.But you’re more than someone I’m counting on, man.You’re my friend and you’ve been waiting for this move, for this teaching position, for the program you’re going to help create.”He pauses, leaning back.“It doesn’t mean you’re forgetting us.”Another pause.“Or letting us down.You already got plane tickets for Megan’s recital at the end of the school year.”
Wes takes a sip of his drink, a small smile forming.“Remember last Christmas?You were at the clinic with that emergency surgery, then volunteered at the food bank, then tried to make it to Megan’s pageant, showing up just as she was leaving the stage.Hell, you were so exhausted you fell asleep during dinner.”
He shakes his head.“You stretched yourself so thin you couldn’t be fully present for any of it.But lately?You turned down heading the animal rescue fundraiser.You said no when Mrs.B.tried to recruit you for the PTA even though you don’t have kids yet.You’d have said yes a few years back.”He chuckles.“And saying no?That took guts, man.She’s scary.”
He clears his throat.“I know you missed my birthday slash goodbye dinner the other night, but that’s been more the exception than the rule these past six months.You’re learning.”
