Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) (19 page)

Jennifer’s mouth quirked up into a wide smile. “The surprise was a hit, Adam.”

Amber’s surprise was a princess pampering session with the cast. Before the show, the cast painted her fingernails, fixed her hair, put makeup on her and gave her a crown and a gift bag to take home. They were also given special seating, front and center, so they had the best seats in the house. Amber got a cookie and milk at intermission and after the play they got to meet the full cast and get autographs.

Her smile alone was worth the extra money.

What was even better was Jennifer’s reaction.

The tears in her eyes as she watched her little girl’s hair being done by Ariel made his heart feel like it would burst in his chest.

Adam had never heard someone giggle as much as Amber or hear someone’s voice go so high it sounded like she was on helium. He had more fun watching Amber and Jennifer than the actual play.

When Ariel came on stage, Adam burst out laughing at Amber’s reaction.

Amber jumped up and down in her seat in the front row. “Oh, look, Adam! It’s Ariel! I met her and she did my makeup.”

“Shhhhh, honey. You have to be quiet now,” Jennifer whispered in Amber’s ear.

Amber replied in a hushed voice. “Okay mommy. I’m just so excited!”

Jennifer straightened up in her seat to watch, but she glanced over at him and gave her the prettiest smile he’d ever seen on her face.

He smiled back and winked.

And to think, he almost didn’t splurge on the extra package.

*****

As soon as they stepped foot inside his mom’s house, she gushed over Amber.

“Amber! It’s so nice to meet you!” Adam’s mom turned to Jennifer. “And it’s really good to see you.”

“You too, Gina. Thanks for having us today for dinner.”

Gina turned to Amber and smiled, holding out her hand. “Do you want to meet Roxie?”

Amber cocked her head, but didn’t take Gina’s hand. “Who’s that?”

“She’s our golden retriever, sweetie. Roxie is old, but sweet. She loves little kids.”

“Oh, yes! Can I pet her?”

“Of course. Let’s go find her!”

Amber reached out and took the hand still offered to her and Gina led her to where Roxie sat quietly in the living room.

While his mom and sister kept Amber occupied, Adam took the opportunity to pull Jennifer in close. He wrapped his arm around her waist and his mouth covered hers in a soft kiss.

When he pulled back and looked at her, she sighed, her lips curved up in a small smile. “What a great day. I’ve never seen Amber so excited.”

“I’m glad she had fun.”

“I really appreciate you bringing us today and the princess package you got her. She was in heaven.”

Adam grinned, still holding her close. “You’re very welcome.”

Shortly after dinner, Amber yawned. She was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open while eating the French silk pie his mom served for dessert. He had to admit, it was pretty cute watching her take a bite between yawns.

After the long, Minnesota goodbye with his mom and sister, they all hopped in Adam’s car. Before he pulled out of the driveway, Adam glanced in the rearview mirror back. The sight of Amber already sleeping made him chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Jennifer asked, smiling at him.

Adam glanced over at Jennifer and one corner of his mouth rose into a crooked smile. “Just that it took her about three seconds to fall asleep back there.”

Jennifer’s mouth dropped open and she whipped around to look in the back seat. “Oh my word! She’s already asleep?”

“Yep,” Adam replied, laughing.

“Well, you completely spoiled her.” Jennifer grinned. “You’re spoiling me, too. Thank you.”

“I had a lot of fun just watching Amber’s reactions. She’s an amazing kid.”

“Oh, and dinner was amazing! Your mom cooks just about as well as my mom. We should get our moms together to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. We’d probably gain 10 pounds if that happened,” she said, laughing.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“I’m kidding.”

Adam laughed and rubbed his flat stomach. “I know. But just think of what dinner would be like. Mmmmm.”

Jennifer laughed.

His face fell a little and his voice turned sad. “This year will be really hard for all of us without my dad.”

Jennifer nodded. She grabbed his hand and she held it until he pulled up to her driveway.

Adam shut off the car, glanced back at Amber to see she was still asleep and then pulled Jennifer in close for a kiss. When he broke away, he leaned his forehead against hers for several seconds.

This feels so right.

Adam finally backed away and looked into Jennifer’s eyes.

“When can I see you again? Saturday? Unless you can make it to practice Friday night?”

“I can’t, unfortunately, and Saturday’s no good either. I haven’t seen my friends in a couple weeks so we’re doing a Ladies night out.” She smirked at him. “You’ve been taking up too much of my time lately.”

Adam clutched his heart. “This is the first I’m hearing you complain. You’re killing me here.”

Jennifer softly elbowed him. “I wasn’t complaining.”

Adam grabbed the elbow that was poking him in the rib and gave her a tickle.

“So, for girl’s night, who’s watching Amber?”

“Our next door neighbor. Amber just adores her.”

“And who’s driving? Who has to stay sober?”

Jennifer raised her eyebrow at him. “We haven’t decided. Why all the questions?”

“Well, I was wondering…would you want a sober cab?”

Jennifer’s eyes widened. “You’d do that? Waste your Friday night to drive us crazy drunk girls around town?”

“It wouldn’t be a waste of time.”

Please say yes.

“Hmmm, I should probably check with the girls. They may not be happy with a guy tagging along on girl’s night.”

“I can leave you girls alone. I don’t even have to come in.”

Jennifer narrowed her eyes. “Well, that would be boring. What’s in it for you?”

“What’s in it for me? Hmm. Well,” he paused, looking up and stroking his chin. “That way, I’d be able to take you home and maybe, just maybe, I’d get an extra long kiss goodnight?”

The corners of her mouth tipped up slightly. “I’ll talk to the girls.”

Adam wanted to be the guy she came home with and wasn’t taking any chances.

Chapter Fourteen

Jennifer

No boys allowed

Jennifer looked forward to girl’s night out. It was a chance to have a few drinks, get dressed up and do a little dancing. It was their time to catch up, not to mention great for their egos since it never failed for them to be hit on during the night.

Mandi and Cassandra came to Jennifer’s house to get ready. They sipped on wine and ate the fruit and cheese tray she put together earlier in the day.

“You mentioned you have a sober cab lined up. A cab?” Mandi was applying eyeliner in a long cat-like line.

“No.”

“Who, then?”

Jennifer hesitated. “Your brother.”

Mandi’s hand stopped and she whipped her head towards her. “Say what? No way, no men allowed!”

“Don’t worry, Mandi. He’ll be flying under the radar. You won’t even know he’s there.”

Mandi looked at Cassandra and raised her eyebrow. “Riiiiiight,” she said as she popped a green olive into her mouth.

Cassandra laughed and said, “What’s the big deal?”

Mandi threw daggers with her eyes. “The big deal, my dear friend, is this is a
girl’s
night, not boys and girls, and my brother will sneak in and spoil our fun. I’m glad you two are dating and all, but geez. Can’t you spend any time apart?”

“A sober cab is a good idea, Mandi,” Cassandra replied, looking over at Jennifer for a nod of support. “You should be happy we’ll have ride home and someone to keep an eye on us so we can relax and have fun.”

Mandi rolled her eyes and began applying her makeup again, “Fine, but I’ll bet you a shot he’ll be asking our little Jennifer over here to dance before the night is through.”

“You’re on,” Cassandra and Jennifer replied at the same time, making all three of them laugh.

Jennifer grinned. “We’ll all be winners with that bet.”

*****

“You lose! I told you he’d ask her for a dance.” Mandi looked way too satisfied.

Cassandra replied under her breath, “I wouldn’t call that losing.”

Jennifer laughed as Adam took her hand.
Angel Eyes
by the Jeff Healy band was on. It was one of her favorite songs. Part of the reason they chose the Whistling Pickle for Ladies night was because it was right in Zimmerman and they had great food and a fun atmosphere. On Saturday nights they played ‘80’s and ‘90’s music all night long. Nothing was better than dancing to songs by Meatloaf and Prince.

“Huh?” Adam raised his eyebrow. “What am I missing?”

“Nothing, big brother,” replied Mandi, and then she turned to look at the girls. “Now, what shot should we do?”

She tipped her head to the side and looked up to the ceiling, tapping her chin with her manicured fingers. They all knew Mandi would order B52 shots, because it was her favorite, but she pretended to think about it every time she bought a round. Jennifer had to admit the shot was creamy and delicious, with layers of Baileys, Kahlua and Grand Marnier.

Cassandra stayed at the table and Mandi started towards the bar while Adam hauled Jennifer off to the dance floor.

“So what’s the deal with Mandi?”

“She bet us that you’d ask me to dance tonight.” Jennifer smiled. “And I lost.”

Adam smirked. “Oh. I’m really sorry about that.”

“Sure you are,” she told him, laughing. “But your sister is relentless. She’ll want to keep doing shots all night. One is my limit.”

“Ha!” he scoffed. “Amateur.”

Jennifer shrugged. “I have Amber to take care of. It’s not fun to do with a hangover.”

“I’m only teasing you.”

“I know.”

Adam pulled her in close and they danced to the slow song. He whispered into Jennifer’s ear, “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

A shiver ran down her spine. “You might have mentioned it once or twice.”

Jennifer snuggled as close as possible into his chest for the remainder of the song.

After it ended, Adam hugged her close and then led her back to the table. Before he left her with Mandi and Cassandra, he gave her a toe-curling kiss and she had to sit on her bar stool before her knees buckled.

Damn but that man could kiss!

Jennifer couldn’t help but stare at Adam as he walked over to a table across the bar. He sat down at a table where his friend, Tom, was drinking a beer. Tom said something to Adam and his head tilted back into a laugh. It made her feel special to know he wanted to be here for her tonight.

Things were going well with him. Were they too good? Too fast too soon? It just felt right and she didn’t really want to go any slower.

Mandi snapped her fingers. “Yoo-hoo! Eyes on us, Jennifer!”

Jennifer shrugged and said, “Sorry.”

No I’m not. That dance was so worth any grief she gives me.

“We saved the B52’s for when you returned,” Mandi replied, handing each one of the girls their glass.

They all raised it in the air and Mandi said, “To great friends and girl’s night out!”

Jennifer downed her shot and shivered. It was yummy, but strong.

“I forgot to tell you! Noah and I booked a vacation to Florida for a winter break.” Cassandra rubbed her hands together in excitement, her eyes sparkling.

Mandi raised her eyebrow. “Just you and Noah?”

Cassandra nodded. “We’ll have enough of the cold by January. I can’t wait!”

Jennifer smirked. “How interesting. Are you getting separate rooms?”

“No, we’re sharing a room to save money.”

Mandi snorted. “Very cozy.”

Cassandra ignored their comments and said, “That means I have about six months to lose those last thirty pounds.”

Cassandra was obsessed about getting back to her pre-college weight, but in her opinion, Cass was perfect. She’d be willing to bet Noah would agree.

Jennifer shook her head. “You’re beautiful the way you are so quit worrying so much.”

Mandi nodded in agreement and said, “You’re gorgeous, Cass. And I know Noah thinks so.”

“Awww, thanks.”

Cassandra turned to Mandi. “So, how’s your e-boyfriend?”

Mandi shrugged. “He’s fine. Things are progressing slowly, just the way I want them to.”

“Has he even given you a picture yet?”

“Nope. But I haven’t given him one either.”

Cassandra’s mouth opened wide. “Uh, how do you know he’s not fugly?”

“I don’t. And he doesn’t know I’m not fugly either,” Mandi informed them. “We’ve agreed to get to know each other before we meet. Did you forget? I tell you every time you bring him up.”

“Pfft, whatever,” Jennifer said, waving her hand. “We’re just curious.”

Mandi ignored her. “So far, he’s pretty amazing. We have the same views on a lot of things, but enough that we disagree on to keep it interesting. We’ve talked about getting together early next year when he’s in town for a conference for work. If we’re even still talking by then.”

“Early next year!” Cassandra scoffed at Mandi.