Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) (16 page)

Tom shook his head. “Good luck with that.”

Peter watched them as he dug into the chicken wings. With his mouth still full, he said, “If you’re done gossiping, I’ve got a new trick to show you.”

That got their attention.

Peter’s magic was amazing and they lived for his new tricks. He showed them all of his new magic before they finally pulled out the poker chips and card table.

By the end of the night, they ate the full ten pounds of chicken wings along with chips and guzzled well over a case of beer. Although he would most likely regret drinking so much in the morning, Adam really needed the night in with his friends.

After his friends left, he looked around the kitchen and yawned. There were empty beer bottles on every surface, a tray of chicken wing bones piled to the sky and half-empty chip bags laying on the counter.

The mess would still be there in the morning.

He headed down the hall to his room and passed out in his clothes.

*****

On Saturday evening, Adam jogged up to Jennifer’s front door, his stomach in knots.

He hoped the date he planned was perfect. Adam made reservations at the Capital Grille in Minneapolis. Jennifer loved steak, or at least she used to, and their signature steak was amazing. Later, they’d go to a show at the Acme Comedy Club.

Her front door opened and Jennifer stood in the doorway with a shy smile on her face.

“Wow. You look…beautiful.”

Jennifer smiled at his compliment, making her eyes sparkle.

Her snug green shirt hugged her gorgeous curves. He loved how her chestnut hair fell down to the middle of her back in curls. He didn’t realize it was so long when they went to the Twins game and he also hadn’t noticed the blonde parts that hugged each curl. She smelled amazing, but he wasn’t sure if it was her shiny hair or her perfume.

“Well, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

He wore a button-down gray shirt and black jeans. He was glad he took the time to get a haircut.

Adam grinned. “You ready to go?”

She nodded. “Amber’s already at my mom’s.” Jennifer turned around and locked the front door. “She says hi, by the way. Amber, that is, not my mom.”

“O, I wish I could have seen her. Amber, that is, not your mom.”

Jennifer’s mouth curved up. “Maybe next time.”

“So you’re saying there’s going to be a next time?”

She shrugged her shoulders and he smiled at her.

You can bet on it.

Adam led Jennifer to his car and opened the passenger side door. She got in and he closed the door gently. Then he jogged around to the driver’s side.

“Where are we going?”

“I hope you still love steak as much as you used to.”

Jennifer’s mouth dropped open.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re a vegetarian or something crazy like that?”

“God, no! The horror.” She laughed at his exaggerated look of relief. “I just can’t believe you remember what I like.”

He stared into her eyes and said very softly, “I remember everything about you.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a little “O”.

“We’re going to the Capital Grille. Their steak is hands-down the best I’ve ever tried and I want to share this little piece of heaven with you.”

She gave him a sweet smile. “My mouth is watering already.”

Adam grinned. “Then we have tickets to the ACME comedy club. I hope you’re in the mood for some laughs.”

The corners of Jennifer’s mouth turned up. “A fancy-schmancy dinner and a show? Adam, you’re spoiling me.”

He gave her his widest grin, showing off his dimples. “That’s the plan.”

*****

The night flew by. Adam had more fun with Jennifer than he could remember having in a very long time. It felt…good. Really good.

As they drove towards home, Adam was stuck inside his own head. Their time at the game and now tonight confirmed what he’d already guessed.

His old feelings were still there.

Even if he’d buried them deep.

Even if it scared the hell out of him.

He sure didn’t know how she felt, and he’d take it slow if needed, but for the first time in years, he felt ready for a relationship.

Is it too early to think that way? Probably. Just don’t do anything stupid to scare her off.

“Why haven’t you asked yet?” Her voice was so quiet he almost didn’t hear her, but it jerked him from his own thoughts swirling around in his head.

“Ask what?”

“Amber’s father? Aren’t you wondering?”

“Oh.” Adam swallowed. “Well, yeah. But I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”

He glanced at Jennifer to give her an encouraging smile, but she was looking down onto her lap.

“After you left, well…I mean after your test came back negative, I was shocked.” She paused and said quietly, “but there was one other guy I dated at the time.”

“So, then he’s her father?”

I really don’t want to hear this.

“No.”

He opened his mouth and then closed it again, staring at the road. It took him several seconds to find his voice. “I’m sorry, what?”

“His test was negative too.” Jennifer shook her head. “The only two men who could possibly be Amber’s father and neither one of you are.”

How can that be?

Adam let that little piece of news sink in as he continued to drive.

“Clearly there was a mistake with one of the tests.”

Adam’s mind was racing. “I’m not sure what to say. I have to think it’s pretty rare for those tests not to be accurate.”

Adam could hear the defensiveness in her voice. “False negatives do happen. It’s rare, but they do.”

“There’s no one else it could be?”

Jennifer whipped her head towards him. “No.”

“Sorry. I’m an ass.”

“No you’re not. Hell, I sometimes ask myself the same question.” Jennifer gave a short laugh. “But no, there was no one else. Amber deserves to know who her father is.”

Adam nodded his head.

And her father deserves to know he has a kid.

“So now what?”

“I don’t know. You tell me. I’ve been at a loss for four years.”

He tilted his head, thinking. “I guess I could take another test.”

“Really?” Jennifer gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I…I didn’t want to ask.”

Adam pulled in to Jennifer’s driveway and turned off the car. He moved in his seat towards her. “Don’t thank me. I wasn’t prepared to hear you still didn’t know. My brain is slowly catching up to my mouth.”

Jennifer’s lips curved up into a small smile. “If you think you were shocked, how do you think I felt?”

Adam squeezed her hand and then got out of the car. He ran around to her side and opened her door.

“Thank you for a lovely evening.”

“It was fun, wasn’t it?”

Jennifer nodded her head and smiled.

He wasn’t ready to call it a night, at least not without asking for another date. “Hey, would you and Amber want to come over to swim and have a barbeque tomorrow?”

Jennifer tilted her head. “We haven’t seen each other in four years and back then I really thought I’d never see you again. Are we trying to be friends again?”

Adam looked into her eyes. “Friendship is a good start, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, maybe.”

Adam chuckled.

She continued before he could reply. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Have you dated a lot over the last few years?”

His eyebrows shot up and he had to stop himself from wincing.

“No.” He paused, frowning. “Nothing serious, anyway.”

“Hmm.” She paused, raising one eyebrow. “Are you dating anyone now?”

“No.”

“Hmm.”

“Honestly. I told you that the other night and it’s the truth.” Adam laughed nervously at her reply. Where was this coming from? “What about you?”

She shook her head and looked down. “Nothing serious in years.”

“Oh.”

They still had a lot in common, even their pathetic dating lives, although his was self-inflicted after royally messing up two relationships. He wasn’t sure what her story was.

Jennifer shrugged her shoulders, her face turning red as she looked away.

“So, tomorrow? Will you and Amber come?”

She studied him for a few more seconds and then finally replied, “Sure, I’m sure Amber would love it.”

Adam smiled. “Great! Do you think she’d want to swim? We could take a boat ride or fish or do all of it.”

Jennifer laughed. “Sure, she loves everything to do with water. What should I bring?”

“Just you and your swimsuits. I can cover the rest.”

“Okay.”

“You can come anytime after noon.”

“Alright.” Jennifer nodded. “Thanks again for tonight. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jenn.”

She smiled, unlocked her door and then turned back around to give him a wave before disappearing into her house.

Adam walked back to his car, thinking about their night.

He had to hold himself back from kissing her. He sure didn’t know what the hell to think about what he learned tonight about Amber’s father. Shocking to find out she still didn’t know. Could he possibly be her father? Could the test have been wrong? He shook his head. He didn’t really think it was possible.

Or, what if there really was someone else out there and she just didn’t remember? It made him feel like a complete jerk to even think that way, but how could the thought not come to mind?

As he got back into his car, he noticed his phone sitting on his center console. Adam realized he hadn’t thought to check his phone all night, which was strange for him. He grinned. It was a good sign because usually he was glued to the damn thing.

His smile immediately disappeared when he saw a text from Sarah.

She’d texted him almost daily since the night of his father’s funeral, the night he was really coming to regret. All it did was complicate things and give her false hope. He had no one to blame but himself.

Had Jennifer seen the text? Is that why she asked him if he’d dated a lot?

If he had any chance with Jennifer, he needed Sarah to back off. Ignoring the texts clearly weren’t helping. He’d answer her text this one last time, and hope he was firm enough.

Sarah, 10:56pm:
Hey, handsome. I’m free tonight. Want to stop by?

Adam: 11:27pm:
I can’t see you again. I’m seeing someone. Hope you understand.

There. That should hopefully take care of the problem. Right?

Chapter Twelve

Jennifer

Fun in the sun

Okay, where is this place?

Jennifer leaned in close to the steering wheel to turn down the radio and asked Amber for complete quiet.

It was bizarre for her to think it would help her find Adam’s elusive home, but it did.

She finally pulled up in front of a beautiful log home, and blew out a whistle.

Jennifer swore under her breath, quiet enough for her daughter not to hear.

“Mommy is this Adam’s house? It looks like my Lincoln logs!”

She let out a laugh. “Yes, it sure does.”

Jennifer was staring at the maps app on her phone. Yep, that’s the one. He described it as more of a cabin feel. When Jennifer thought of a cabin, she pictured a small red wooden structure with maybe one bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen.

This was no cabin.

She looked up to see Adam coming out his front door and walking towards them. He looked gorgeous in his swim trunks, t-shirt and flip-flops. Tan arms and legs, blonde hair and brown eyes coming her way and her heart started to pound.

Adam opened her car door and she looked up into his chocolate eyes.

“You told me this was more of a cabin, Adam. Bit of an understatement, I’d say.”

Adam looked thoughtful for a second, his hand stroking his chin.

“How about if I were to say it’s a log home, but with more of a cabin feel?”

“Mehhh. Wrong again.” Jennifer shook her head vigorously to show her disagreement. “How about, huge log home which tries for a cabin vibe and fails miserably? That would be more accurate.”

Adam frowned and his shoulders slumped slightly.

“I’m only teasing you. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to see inside.”

After seeing his smile return, Jennifer opened the back door to let Amber out of her car.

“You ready, kiddo? Should we go explore Adam’s
cabin
and then go see the lake?”

“Yes. Let’s go!”

No sooner had Jennifer let Amber out of the car she was running towards the front door Adam left open.

“Wait up, honey! And take off your shoes! We don’t want to make a mess in Adam’s house right after we’ve arrived.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not.”

“Well, you don’t know Amber very well. She makes messes faster than you blink. She’s a walking tornado.”

The corners of Adam’s lips turned up. “I have to see this.”

They walked in the house just a minute after Amber and the entryway was littered with her shoes, shirt and shorts. She wore her swimsuit underneath her outfit and apparently couldn’t be bothered to wait any longer to go swimming.

Adam laughed. “Holy cow, you weren’t kidding.”

Jennifer blew out a breath. Some of her single friends had a hard time with the messes Amber could make. Jennifer always made sure Amber picked up her mess before leaving anyone’s home, but some people couldn’t stand the clutter.