by Alexa Davis
“You should go say, hi,” Max suggested with a grin. “I bet she’d like to see you.”
“I think I will,” I told him happily.
He gave me the thumbs up before heading back into the crowd, and I headed toward the patio. My palms were sweaty as I opened the door and stepped out into the cold, winter air.
I froze on the landing, unable to move before she turned around to face me.
Chapter 6
Vanessa
Sunday
From inside, the sounds of the Christmas party roared with laughter and excitement.
“Just a few of your father’s friends,” Mom had promised. Right.
I knew better. That’s why I’d spent the better part of an hour curling my hair and picking out the perfect shade of lipstick to match the strapless teal party dress that fell just below my knee and flared out around my hips.
Mom had positively beamed when she saw me come out of the room before the guests began to arrive. I had to admit; I was feeling pretty good about myself. It had taken a while to get ready, but the results were worth it.
However, there were times when I got a little overwhelmed by crowds. It wasn’t long after everyone started to arrive that I’d been bombarded by well-meaning relatives and had to step outside to get some air. Every time I thought about going back inside, my Aunt Betsy would walk by the window, and I decided it was better to stay hidden. I didn’t need anyone else asking my career plans or trying to hook me up with some cute guy who attended their church. No, thank you.
The sound of the back door opening startled me and sent a twinge of dread through me as I turned around to face whatever relative had found my hiding spot and was about to interrupt my peace and quiet. But when I turned, it wasn’t Aunt Betsy. Standing there, looking just as bewildered as me, was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. Mahogany brown hair framed a strong jawline, and I found myself locked into a daze with a set of vibrant blue eyes that left me breathless.
“C-can I help you?” I shuddered nervously.
He gazed back at me in wonder, looking me up and down: not in a sleazy way, just observing. It made me feel beautiful. I blushed at his attention and turned to face him properly
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just came to say hello. Max said you were out here on the patio.”
I raised an eyebrow at the mention of my brother and asked, “Max sent you to find me?”
The handsome man shut the door behind him and stepped out onto the patio. “Yeah, I think he thought you could use some company.”
My breath hitched when he stepped closer, and the fluttering in my stomach caught me off guard. I smiled slightly and offered him my hand. “Well, I suppose I should say thank you, I guess. I’m Vanessa.”
The man chuckled as he took my hand and smiled. It was a warm, comfortable sort of sound that I knew I could get accustomed to hearing. “Yes, I know. We went to high school together.”
I furrowed my brow, a little confused. I immediately began wracking my brain, trying to figure out how or why I couldn’t remember him. I mean, how could I not remember him? The man before me was certainly unforgettable. “I’m so sorry, you’re going to have to refresh my memory,” I said curiously.
A heart stopping smile turned up one corner of his lips. “Adam Hillis,” he explained.
Adam Hillis. Holy crap.
The Adam Hillis I remembered was cocky, arrogant, and altogether obnoxious. Not to mention, a bit on the skinny side compared to the man standing in front of me. This Adam, though, didn’t seem at all like that cocky kid. He seemed…nice.
For all the times I had daydreamed about the cute friend my bother kept parading around the house, it had never prepared me for seeing the way he had turned out. The suit he was wearing and the way he filled it out was positively sinful. Something inside of me instinctually wanted to rip it off with my teeth.
He kept his eyes on me and smiled a beautiful crooked smile. Damn him for being beautiful.
“Would you like a drink?” he offered kindly while gesturing to the bar. “I could get champagne, or water if you’d prefer.”
“Champagne?” I asked him teasingly. “What exactly are we celebrating?”
He cocked an eyebrow curiously and responded. “Why, your graduation, of course. That’s a major accomplishment; you should be proud. Did you know only one percent of the world’s population has a bachelor’s degree?”
“I did not,” I responded honestly.
He grinned, leaning forward, and whispered, “Welcome to the one percent.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, looking up at him through hooded lashes. He easily stood six inches over me, and I was wearing heels. “Well, since you put it that way. Sure, why not? Champagne would be nice.”
Adam’s smile widened when he replied, “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded, watching him retreat into the house. What are you doing, Vanessa? I scolded myself quietly. This isn’t part of the plan. I tried to get my hormones in check while he was gone.
He returned a few minutes later with two glasses filled with bubbly pink fluid and a coat folded over one arm. I looked at it curiously.
“I thought you might be a little chilly out here,” he said with a smile before placing the two glasses on a nearby patio table and draping the coat over my shoulders.
“Thank you,” I whispered as his fingertips brushed over my shoulders. A spark of electricity surged between us. I felt a strange draw to him, an attraction that went beyond the handsome features of his face. My cheeks began to blush when our eyes met, and an unfamiliar rousing in places I didn’t even know existed rushed through me. He was entirely too close for comfort. Then again, I doubted it would make a difference if he were ten feet away.
“So, what are you doing out here all by yourself?” he asked me casually as he picked up the glasses again and handed one to me. There was no judgment or condescension in his tone, just curiosity.
Unlike some of the others, I found his interest in me refreshing. It seemed genuine and without the slightest hint of ulterior motive; I hadn’t felt that in quite some time.
I looked down at the glass in my hand and sighed, “It’s quieter out here,” I explained. “I’m trying to avoid the crowd.”
Adam frowned in confusion. “Why would you do that?”
“Because everyone’s so keen on asking me what my plans are now that I’ve graduated, and I don’t know what to tell them.”
“Well, that’s a reasonable question,” he offered. “Maybe they just care about you and are trying to be supportive.”
“Yeah, I know, but since I don’t really have an answer, I don’t want to deal with it right now.”
“Fair enough. Do you mind if I keep you company?” he asked.
“Not at all.”
We started talking about everything that had happened over the last few years. He’d recently taken a position at a law firm, which was impressive, and bought a condo not too far from here.
Adam was funny and easy to talk to, and I found myself relaxing almost immediately in his company. We exchanged stories about our roommates back in college and how our parents both drove us crazy. It was exactly what I needed.
He paused for a moment in the conversation, looking at me as if he were seeing me for the first time ever. Our eyes met, and something in the way he looked at me made my pulse quicken.
Just like that, I was back in high school, letting the same boy create unwanted butterflies in my stomach. Except it wasn’t like high school because he didn’t look at me the same. We were all grown up now, and the childish games had stopped. There was no guise to the chemistry between us; it was real.
I knew he felt it, too, because more than once I caught him staring. The way he stuttered, trying to pretend like nothing happened was adorable.
I liked the new Adam Hillis; he was more than a goofy teenager. So much more.
We were in the middle of recalling a story
about how Max had gotten busted for drinking in high school when Adam’s father came outside and put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. I couldn’t help noticing how he looked almost exactly like his father, only a younger version. Mr. Hillis had the same warm brown eyes as his son. His smile was wide and genuine, meeting his eyes beneath a pair of thick-rimmed glasses. He carried a glass of eggnog in his hand that seemed to fit perfectly with the over-the-top festive sweater he wore. It's too bad we weren't having an ugly sweater competition because he would he would have won it handily. Truthfully, it was kind of adorable.
“Hey, son. How’s it going?” his dad asked.
Adam smirked but didn’t take his eyes off me for a moment when he responded. “It’s going quite well. I was just taking to Vanessa here.”
Mr. Hillis removed his hand from Adam’s shoulder and offered it to me with a smile. “Hello, Vanessa. It’s good to see you, dear. You look positively stunning. I heard you recently graduated. Congratulations.”
I blushed, accepting his offer shyly and shook the older man’s hand. “Yes, sir, and thank you.”
“This is quite a party,” he complimented, looking through the window to inside. “Did you help your mother plan it?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” I responded.
“Well, it’s very impressive. I know your parents are thrilled to have you back. What are your plans these days?”
I sighed, tucking a blonde curl behind my ear and told him what I had been keeping to myself, “Well, I’m hoping to start a business that revolves around my love of photography, but I need capital first.”
“Photography,” Adam’s father mused. “How very interesting. It just so happens that Adam has a condo within walking distance of that huge photography company here in town. What was the name of it?” he looked at Adam like he was waiting for a response.
“Overbee’s,” I inserted. “I know them well. I would love to work for a company like that,” I responded dreamily.
He smiled knowingly with a twinkle in his eye and added, “In fact, I think he has a spare bedroom you could stay in if you’re in need of a roommate. Cost of living isn’t cheap these days, and I know it can’t be easy for you living with your parents. You should consider it.”
I nearly choked on the drink in my mouth. I looked over at Adam, dumbfounded. My eyes grew wider with every word.
Adam immediately tried to diffuse the situation.
“Dad…” Adam warned him gently with a look. “I’m sure Vanessa has everything under control.”
“I’m just giving her options,” he explained. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a roommate that you can talk to now and then?”
Adam groaned, and I could sense his growing embarrassment. “Sure, but that’s not the kind of decision that needs to be shoved down a person’s throat.”
“Alright, I’ll let you two discuss it privately,” he conceded with a sly grin as if he knew exactly what he was doing, only we weren’t in on his game plan. “At least it gives you something to think about. It was nice to see you again, Vanessa. Merry Christmas.” Mr. Hillis gave us each a nod before he went back inside, leaving Adam and me alone.
After his departure, Adam scratched the back of his head uncomfortably and offered a feeble apology. “Sorry about that. I don’t want you to feel ambushed or anything. Unfortunately, my dad doesn’t have much of a filter.”
I chuckled and waved it off, taking a sip of my champagne. “Not at all, he’s just trying to help.”
“Yeah, but he can be rather forward at times.”
I laughed. “You don’t have to defend your dad’s behavior to me,” I told him honestly. “I promise, my parents are a thousand times worse.”
“Still, it wasn’t a terrible suggestion, was it?”
“No…I guess not.”
“Well, it’s something to think about. I could always use the help with rent, and it would be nice to have the company. If you want to come by sometime and see it, you are more than welcome to.”
The offer had a certain level of appeal, but I wasn’t sure if it was for the right reasons. I didn’t want to put Adam out more than anything, so I smiled and simply said, “Thanks for the offer. I will definitely keep that in mind.”
Adam sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out one of his fancy lawyer business cards and handed it to me with a smile. “Listen, my Dad’s probably going to want to leave sooner rather than later, but if you’d like to hang out sometime or have dinner with me—and I sincerely hope you do—give me a call.”
I took the business card and made a show of tucking it into the top of my dress since I didn’t have any pockets or a purse on me. “Alright, Mr. Fancy Pants; I think I will.”
Chapter 7
Adam
(New Year’s Eve) Sunday
My phone started ringing noisily from the corner of my kitchen table, and I looked up from the papers I was looking at to answer it. “Max Butler” blinked across the caller ID, and I hit accept.
“Hey, man, how’s it going?”
“No complaints; what are you doing right now?”
My mind drew a blank, and I looked at my calendar to make sure I didn’t have anything planned, remembering that it was, in fact, New Year’s Eve. “Uh, nothing I guess. Why do you ask?”
“You should get your ass over here!” he insisted.
I scoffed, looking down at the papers on my desk and told him. “Yeah, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’ve got a ton of work to catch up on.”
“Aw, come on, man, it’s the holidays! Vanessa and I were really looking forward to seeing you.”
When he mentioned Vanessa, I sat up in my chair, intrigued. “What’s Vanessa doing there?” Not that I was one to be casting dispersions, but she didn’t seem like a party girl to me.
Max sighed on the other line and told me, “I don’t know, honestly. I mentioned that I was going out and the next thing I knew, she was climbing in the car with me. I think living with my parents is getting to her and she needed to get the hell out of Dodge and unwind.”
“That makes sense. What bar are y’all at?”
“St. Michael’s Pub.”
Glancing up at the clock on the wall, I saw that it was already nine fifteen. “Alright, tell you what. I’ll meet you there in an hour, ‘kay? Then we can rock in the New Year with style.”
Max laughed over the sound of other patrons in the background and said, “Cool, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
We hung up, and I placed my phone on the table next to me with a tired sigh. I wouldn’t have gone, except he mentioned Vanessa. Ever since the Christmas party, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Nor had I been able to stop thinking about Dad blurting out the suggestion that she move into my spare bedroom, which would have been a catastrophe if I wasn’t so completely enamored with her.
Going out drinking with the two of them would hopefully allow me to set the record straight and see what she was thinking.
I finished with the paperwork and grabbed my coat before heading out the door to hail a cab. If I was going to be out drinking, then it would definitely have to be a chauffeured event.
After having them drive me to the bar, I was glad that Max had invited me. I spotted him and Vanessa through the front window, sitting at the bar. She had her hair pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing a brown leather jacket with a pair of jeans. The two of them were laughing together and had a couple of empty glasses on the bar in front of them.
Looks like they definitely started this party without me, I chuckled to myself indulgently.
I opened the door to join them and started threading my way across the loud and rambunctious crowd. It was a safe bet almost everyone there was in some state of inebriation.
When he saw me, Max’s face lit up with recognition, and he waved me over to where they were seated. “Adam!”
I smiled, giving them both a little wave and took a seat at the bar next to them. “What’ll ya have?” the bartender
asked me suddenly.
“Whatever ale you have on tap,” I responded instantly.
Max had already downed a few himself; I could tell by the way he was talking. He took a swig of the drink in his hand and said, “Glad you could finally join us. Are you up for a game of darts? A couple of my buddies from work are over there already getting shit-faced.”
Vanessa smirked, looking down at her drink, and I waved him off apologetically. “Maybe in a little bit. Let me get a few beers in me; then we can talk.”
Max just shrugged, stepping off his seat and landing on the floor. “Suit yourself. I’m gonna go show some ladies how it’s done.”
I rolled my eyes at him and glanced back just as the barkeep was hanging me a mug. “Here you go, enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
I took the lager ale and downed a few swigs. I tried to act unaware of Vanessa watching me. She looked incredible, even better than when I’d seen her at the party, if that was at all possible. Her shiny blonde hair had been pulled down into a low ponytail with some soft waves framing her face. She was just wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but even still, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Sorry he dragged you into this,” she apologized, a delicate blush spreading across her cheeks.
I shrugged, easing down onto my seat next to her. “Nah, don’t worry about it. I’m glad you guys thought about me. Sometimes, I need the extra push to get me out of the house or the office in the first place. Besides, the company is much more pleasant.” I winked at her suggestively on the final statement and took another swig of the amber liquid.
She smiled, the edges of her soft pink lips turning up. “Are you always this charming, or is it something you put on just for me?”
I laughed. “Well, I like to think I am, but I think you bring it out in me. Unless I’m making you uncomfortable. If that’s the case, then I’m going to blame the alcohol.”