Page 51 of First Comes Forever

Carson continues to blow spit bubbles, ignoring my strained expression.

“Well, I can’t knock again,” I continue in a hushed tone. “I already tried the diaper bag thing.”

Carson simply swings his legs, silent, except for the soft thuds of his heels hitting the cabinets.

I blow out a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll level with you. Uncle Adam is a little out of sorts right now because Amani ismyfriend, and quite frankly I don’t want your dad playing with her.”

Actually, I don’t want any man playing with Amani. As unfair as that is, it’s how I feel. I’m trying to be reasonable. I shouldn’t make a move on Amani knowing I’m the opposite of what she needs, yet at the same time, waking up next to her this morning felt like a long, lost memory. Like a family picture that was blurry until she showed up and everything became a little more clear. But I need time. Do I like the girl? Of course. Am I ready to unravel eight years of tangled, neglected emotions? Not even close.

I scoop Carson off the counter and place him on the ground. Pointing to the bedroom door, I say like a director, “Knock really loud, okay? Action.” Carson doesn’t budge. Rolling my eyes, I squat down to kiss him on the forehead. “I love you, but you’re useless right now.”

Making my way to the bedroom door, I think of excuses. Coffee. There we go. I’ll say I’m ordering coffee from a delivery app and I need to know what they want, stat. That’s a viable excuse.

I raise my fist to knock and the door swings open. Alex’s stupid, smug grin is right in my face.

“Subtle, Adam,” he says, laughing. “Real subtle.”

“Shut it,” I mumble as I peek over his shoulder. A fully dressed Amani gives me a thumbs-up before disappearing into the en suite bathroom. “Is she okay?” I ask Alex.

“Yeah, why?”

I follow him back to the kitchen. “You were in there a while.”

“We talked for five minutes, Adam. Damn. If you like her that much, why don’t you go tell her how you feel? It’s clear she likes you too. This shouldn’t be so difficult.”

“Shouldn’t you be taking your own advice?”

Alex holds up his palms. “Hey, no argument there. I’m absolutely planning on talking to Tara about how I feel and what I want.” He scratches the back of his head. “Right after I buy her entire extended family their dream Disney vacation,” he rushes out.

I laugh. “You’re trying to make it so she can’t say no to you.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much the plan.” Alex collects Carson’s diaper bag, then picks up his son. “Ready, bubba?”

Once Alex and Carson are out the door, I head down the hallway to find Amani. The bedroom door is wide open, but the en suite bathroom door is shut. Knocking softly, I call through the door, “Amani, are you okay?”

She yanks open the door, her phone in her other hand on speaker, the sound of hold music softly echoing in the bathroom. “Yeah, are you?” Her eyes are wide in surprise as she hangs up and sets her phone on the bathroom counter amidst the plethora of makeup she’s unpacked.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your call,” I say, staying put in the doorway.

She grumbles, “Oh, it’s no big deal. I was just busying myself so I could give you and Alex a moment. I’ve been meaning to call my credit card company.” She rolls her eyes.

“Fraud?” I ask. “Because you can usually freeze your card through apps these days if—”

Holding her hands up, she clarifies, “No. I’m trying to get a limit increase. It’s a long shot, but I thought I’d try.”

“Is it something I can help with?”

Her eyes drop to her bare feet on the clean white tile. “You’ve helped more than enough. You can’t fix all my problems.” Scooting a few small bottles and square makeup containers aside, she makes room to plant her ass on the counter. She crosses her legs, wiggling her top foot nervously like she’s uncomfortable with our conversation.

Her sad eyes pull me in. It’s the addiction I’m apparently developing around Amani. Is it sick that I love to be needed by her? Taking two long strides forward, I stand in front of her. The way she’s sitting on the bathroom counter, our hips are level.

“I can try,” I offer.

She shakes her head, but her eyes stay locked on mine. “You are one big puzzle, Adam Montgomery. I can’t quite put you together.”

“How so?”

She raises her brows, her forehead crinkling. “It doesn’t bother you that your brother saw me half naked?”

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