“Oh. I see.” Sam tried to hide her smile as they fell into step on their way to the locker room. “And, how is Adam Hamilton? I looked him up online after you told me about him at the dress store. You weren’t kidding.”
Jenny stopped with one hand on the door. “You looked him up?”
“What can I say?” Sam shrugged. “You and Ann got me curious.”
They went in and dropped down onto a bench, each wiping their face with towels sporting the gym’s logo. Jenny glanced around the room. As far as she could tell, there were only two other women inside, both of whom were out of earshot.
“You’re not wrong in your line of thinking. I had dinner with Adam last night and now James is super upset with me.”
“Uh-oh.” Sam’s eyes grew wide and her curls were sticking out in every direction, making her look slightly crazy. “Did you tell him you were with Adam?”
“Not exactly. He heard some kids asking Adam for his autograph when he called me. I shouldn’t have answered the phone at all, but I wasn’t thinking.” Jenny buried her face in her towel. “It’s a mess. And, so . . . high school.”
Sam touched a hand to Jenny’s leg and offered her a smile. “Are you mad about dinner, or that James found out?”
Jenny turned her face to the side and looked at Sam. There was no judgment in her expression, only the concern of a friend trying to help.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” She bunched her towel in her hands. “At first, I thought I was mad about dinner, but the truth is, it was fun. It reminded me what it was like to be with Adam before the anger and hurt wiped away the happy memories.”
“So, what is it he wants now? Is he trying to make amends, reconnect with old friends, or . . .”
Jenny stood and opened her locker. “I have no idea what he wants.”
“You better figure it out because James isn’t going to sit back and watch it happen. He’s crazy about you, and you know how men are when they feel threatened.” Sam opened her own locker, pulled out her bag and slammed it shut, the metal bang echoing throughout the room.
“When did you get so smart about guys?”
Sam shrugged and stepped into the shower.
“What if Adam is only trying to smooth things over? It is a small town. It’s not like we won’t be running into each other at every turn.” Jenny stripped her shirt off and then using the towel as a cover, stepped out of her shorts. “Maybe he’s just trying to make things easier.”
“Maybe. So the question you need to ask yourself is how would that make you feel? Relieved or disappointed?”
Jenny started to respond, but instead she stalled, unsure of herself. How would she feel if Adam were only trying to mend fences? What then? He would start dating someone else around town eventually. Then she’d not only be running into him, she’d be running into them. A sharp pang of jealousy tore through her. It was one thing to be online and read about a girl he was dating, it was another thing entirely to see it firsthand. She already hated the faceless girl of his future.
Annoyed, Jenny stepped into a shower stall and let the cool water wash the sweat and heat of anger from her body. She had no right to hold Adam back from having a life. She had one, didn’t she?
But, he’d kissed her, she reminded herself. He’d taken her to their spot and pulled out the honeysuckle and . . .
Was it possible he was only feeling nostalgic? It didn’t mean he wanted a life with her. Or, maybe he was just lonely. After all, he’d lost his career.
And, what would happen if she blew up her life for him? James would be gone. They’d have a brief fling, and then what? Then she’d be the one who was alone, again, and he’d go out and meet someone else. The faceless her again.
“Jenny? Are you still there?” Sam’s voice filtered through the hot shower mists and her foggy brain.
“Yeah,” Jenny rested her head against the cool tiles as the water sprayed over her back. “I’m here.”
“I’ve never met Adam, so I don’t know what kind of man he is,” the water shut off in Sam’s stall, “but, whoever you decide to give your heart to, just make sure he’s worthy.”
Jenny smiled. Sweet Sam, always wanting the best for everyone. She flipped the handle and cut off the water in her own stall. Wrapping the towel around her torso, she stepped out and froze when she caught sight of the angry red scar on Sam’s back, the sudden reminder causing her knees to go weak.
“Are you okay?” Sam asked.
Jenny blinked and then looked everywhere except directly at Sam while she got her bearings. “I’m fine. Just stood up too fast I guess.”
They dressed, dried their hair, and as Jenny smoothed on her mascara, she met Sam’s eyes in the mirror. “Does your scar bother you?”
“No, not really. Not anymore. I’m glad my wedding dress hides it, but normally I don’t think about it.” She zipped her cosmetics bag closed and turned to lean against the counter. “It still bothers Spencer sometimes.”
“Oh, Sam, no. He thinks you’re beautiful. You are beautiful.”
Sam’s face reddened. “No. I mean, thank you, but that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh?”
“I just meant that sometimes when Spencer and I are together, you know at night.”
Sam shot her a pointed look and Jenny had to stifle a giggle. “Anyway, he sometimes kisses my back and for a while he used to get this awful guilty look on his face, but in the last few months, he finally seems to be letting go.”
“I guess some scars can’t be seen.”
The door to the locker room burst open and two women came in talking at the top of their voices.
“I’m telling you Tracy, it was him.”
“No, are you sure?”
“It was. My brother went to high school with him.”
“Well, I’ll be darned. I guess he really is moving back here.”
Jenny and Sam locked eyes and waited silently to see if the women would say more.
“He’s hotter than fire.”
“Yes, ma’am. Too bad about his shoulder though. What’s he going to do with himself now? What kind of job can he get? He’s a has-been.”
Jenny’s temper flared. Just because Adam was a pain in her ass didn’t mean everyone in town could go around saying bad things about him.
“You know those old athlete types. He’ll probably sit around drinking beer until he’s fat and—”
She didn’t recognize the women by their voices alone, but she got a good look at them when she stepped from around the line of lockers. “I don’t know who you—”
The women’s heads snapped in her direction, but before she could really tear into them, Sam’s hand caught her arm and tugged her back behind the lockers. “Don’t do it. You’ll just give them more fuel for the fire.”
Grinding her teeth, Jenny pushed through the door, Sam followed close behind.
Music pumped through his earbuds as he jogged on the treadmill in front of the windows lining one wall of the gym. He preferred to run outside, but considering he could see the heat rising off of the pavement in waves, the air-conditioned gym seemed like the wiser choice. A man on his left eyed him, while another did a double take as he stepped up to the free weights. Adam kept his eyes forward, careful to avoid making eye contact in the mirrors. His newness couldn’t wear off soon enough.
As he started his third mile, he debated whether or not to call Jenny when he finished his workout. Their dinner the night before had done little to dissuade him. For the first time, they’d been themselves with each other: unguarded, relaxed, friendly. And, being with her only made him miss her more.
When he’d left for Atlanta, he’d at least had distance on his side where he’d tried to adopt the out of sight, out of mind approach. But here, where every street corner a
nd face held memories of her, distance was as unwelcome as it was impossible.
He pressed the button to pick up the pace. Even though he was no longer playing ball, running was too ingrained in him not to continue. It was part of his routine, and although he needed a new one, running was a comforting habit. And, it gave him a chance to think.
A flash of blond hair caught his attention and when he looked in the mirror he saw her. Jenny was heading for the exit with another girl. He stopped his machine, grabbed his towel off of the bar where it was hanging, and wiped his face as he cut across the room.
“Jenny,” he called, “hold up.”
She stopped near the exit and waited, no longer smiling. He didn’t recognize the girl she was with, but she was pretty. Not striking in the same way Jenny was, but pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way.
“Hello, Adam,” Jenny’s tone wasn’t cold, but not exactly friendly, either.
“Hey.” He nodded to the other girl. “Adam Hamilton. I’d shake your hand, but I’m all sweaty and you ladies look like you’ve already cleaned up.”
“Adam, this is Samantha Parker,” Jenny said, “Spencer’s fiancée.”
“Oh, well, would you look at that. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too, but please call me Sam.”
Her mannerisms were shy, but her smile warm. Adam smiled, too. So, she was the one who’d won Spencer over. He couldn’t help but feel at least a little surprised. She wasn’t the sort of girl Spencer usually went for, which also explained why it must’ve worked.
“Sam it is then.” He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded when someone waved as they entered the gym. “Where are you ladies running off to?”
“Lunch, I hope,” Sam rubbed a hand over her stomach.
“Yes, and then to the office for me.”
“Still working with that pain-in-the-butt client?” He grinned.
The corners of Jenny’s mouth twitched. “Can’t seem to shake him.”
A hand landed on Adam’s shoulder and he turned. “Coach Pritchard.”
“Adam, my boy.”
They embraced and patted each other on the back. Though, nearly the same height now, Coach Pritchard had changed in the last ten years. His hair was more gray than black and his face was deeply lined after years spent in the sun at practices and games. Still, Adam’s heart warmed when he saw him. He’d helped Adam find a place on the team in college and had even come to see him play professionally a few times.
“Hello, Jenny.”
“Hi, Coach Pritchard. This is Spencer’s fiancée, Sam.”
“Yes, we’ve met.” Coach Pritchard nodded at her. “How are you, Sam? What’re you kids up to today? Causing trouble?”
“Hardly,” Jenny jerked her head in Adam’s direction. “But, you never know about this guy.”
“Ain’t it the truth,” Coach agreed. “How long’s it been since I’ve seen you? Four years?”
“Six,” Adam shrugged. “You were at the no hitter. I remember because I decided you were my good luck charm after that.”
Adam’s comment sent the coach into a fit of laughter causing several heads to turn in their direction. “Well, I don’t know about all that, but I sure am glad I got to see it in person.”
“What about you, Jenny? Did you ever get to see Adam play?”
Some of the joy seemed to drain out of Jenny as she shook her head. “No, I’m afraid I don’t keep up with sports much.”
Adam’s heart sank. He’d always hoped she’d secretly been there cheering him on from afar. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d looked up into the seats and hoped to catch a glimpse of her.
Coach whistled. “I got to see him in the World Series, too. Never seen anything like it. You really missed out, girl.”
Sam’s eyes cut to Jenny, but her expression remained blank.
Adam cleared his throat. “You know how it is, Coach. Jenny’s always working these days.”
“Don’t I know it? Everywhere I look I see her pretty face on a bench or a billboard somewhere.” He slapped Adam on the back again. “I just got used to having Jenny cheering at all our games. I guess I figured she’d always be there.”
“Jenny, we need to get going,” Sam turned her cell phone toward her to show her the time. “We’re supposed to meet Ann, remember?”
“Right,” Jenny shook her head. “It was great running into you both.”
“You, too, Jenny girl. Take care.”
She smiled, but Adam saw the sadness in her eyes before she turned away from him and disappeared out the door.
Chapter 9
Jenny raised her hand to knock, and then stopped. What was she supposed to say to James? Nothing’s changed. Don’t be silly. I hate Adam Hamilton. A week ago, that’s exactly what she would’ve said.
She pressed her lips together and bit down. James didn’t deserve to have a girlfriend who was distracted by another man. Or, one who lay in bed at night thinking of another man’s hands touching her body, wondering if it would spark another fire under her skin and if she’d be able to turn away if it did.
She shook her head, disgusted with herself. She wasn’t the girl who jerked people around. It was time she put Adam out of her mind before she blew it with a great guy. It was time to stop living in the past. The trip down memory lane had been fun, but it was over.
She knocked and turned on her brightest smile when James answered the door. “Miss me?”
His shoulders were rigid and his expression grim. “I think the real question is, did you miss me?”
Heat rose in her cheeks so she pushed her way past him into his apartment to hide her face. “Of course I did. All I’ve done is work since you’ve been gone.”
He closed the door and moved over to the black and white kitchen. Instead of pouring them each a glass of wine like he usually did, he stopped beside the bar and studied her with his hands in his pockets. “Are we going to talk about last night?”
Jenny sighed. “What more do you want me to say? I’ve apologized ten times. It was nothing.”
“If it was nothing, you would’ve told me.” His words rang a little too true, but it didn’t matter. She would stop seeing Adam soon and all of James’ worrying would have been for nothing.
“I was going to tell you, but it was so unimportant to me, I didn’t think about it.” She set her purse on the bar and moved to stand in front of him. “James, I’m not involved with Adam. He’s my client and that’s it.”
His shoulders relaxed and he reached a hand out to pull her toward him. “I just don’t want anyone messing up what we have. Not now. Not when we’re so close to getting everything we want.”
As he hugged her against his chest, alarm bells began sounding in Jenny’s head, but she ignored them and squeezed her eyes shut. This was right. This was where she was meant to be and if she was having to work at keeping Adam out of her head, she assured herself it was only because she’d been spending too much time with him.
And, she would be putting an end to it the following day. There were only two other properties available to show Adam which came close to fitting his requirements. One way or the other, she was cutting him loose.
A knock sounded on James’ door and he broke free. “That’ll be dinner.”
“Great. I’m starving.” As James paid for dinner, she heard her phone buzz inside her purse. On instinct, she reached for it and answered without looking to see who it was.
“Hey, are we still on for tomorrow?”
At the sound of Adam’s voice, all the confidence she’d mustered turned to smoke. “Y-yes, I’ll see you at nine.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw James step back into the kitchen with a plastic bag stuffed with two take-out orders. He mouthed the word ‘Work?’ to h
er and she nodded. Guilt churned deep within, forcing her to admit James was right. The stirring of emotions she tried to keep at bay sparked to life around Adam. If he was merely a client, there’d be no reason to lie and no reason to feel such urgency to sever communication with him.
“Are you going to pick me up? Come to think of it, maybe I should bring my own car. Just in case you get mad at me again.”
As tempted as she was to play into his banter, she refrained and kept her tone professional. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem. See you at nine.” She hung up without giving Adam a chance to say anything else.
James was at the table waiting for her and he seemed pacified. She didn’t want to do anything to upset him again so soon by telling him who was on the phone. Besides, she wasn’t lying. It was for work.
“Hurry, babe, your chicken’s getting cold.”
She slid her phone back into her purse and joined him at the table. He was still wearing one of his many university golf shirts and khakis from being on the road. “How long are you in town for this time?”
“Not long I’m afraid. Coach found a kid in Virginia he wants me to go see, but don’t worry, I’ll be back for the wedding.”
She smiled and continued to push the rice around on her plate. Somewhere between the beginning and end of the call with Adam, she’d lost her appetite.
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