Page 15 of First Comes Forever

Despite the wreckage of my current situation and having zero interest in dating at the moment,thisis the main reason I would never, ever give Adam Montgomery the time of day. He’s such a flirt. I bet he doesn’t even know when he’s doing it. All women do around him is blush and swoon. I’ve been cheated on enough to know to run from naturally charismatic men. They are a guaranteed heartbreak.

“So how’ve you been?” Jessie asks Adam, looking right through me at the handsome man leaning in the doorway. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you.”

He frowns. “It hasn’t beenthatlong…”

Oh, okay. That’s what this is. I know that smile she’s wearing. They must’ve slept together. And it kind of looks like she’s hungry for another round.

“Jessie, I think that’s all I need. I’ll leave you guys to catch up. Um…” I glance back at Adam then turn right around to face Jessie again, ignoring the uncomfortable jealousy bubbling in my stomach.They just don’t look like a good match, though…Not that I get to make that call. “I don’t need to get the carpets cleaned, right? I think my lease said you guys handle that?”

“Yep. We have a cleaning crew too. All you have to do is move out your belongings and we take care of the rest. If you need help moving, I have some companies I can refer. They’ll give you a discount if you mention Elm. I’ll email you if you’d like.”

I rise. “Thank you. That’d be great.”

Adam takes a step into the office, clearing the doorway so I can pass. I pause and match his stare as I pass. He looks like there’s something on the tip of his tongue, but he’s biting it back.

“If I don’t see you again,take care, Adam.”

I feel like I’m floating as I flee the office and slip into my car. After taking a moment to breathe, I push the ignition to no avail. Refusing to believe more bad news, I drive my foot into the brake pedal harder and mash my pointer finger into the start button again.

Start, dammit.

Don’t. You. Fucking. Dare… Not today.

One more time for good measure. I push my finger against the ignition button so hard it hurts.Nothing.Not even a feeble putter. Buthow? This car is less than three years old. There’s no way it’s time for a battery change. I forced myself to be okay after yesterday’s doctor’s appointment. I’m trying to hold it together.I’m really trying.Why is the universe hell-bent on breaking me right now?

I let out a roar of frustration that strips my throat raw. I’d rather scream than cry again, so I beat my palm against my steering wheel, shouting obscenities at my lifeless car.

I’m still yelling, so it’s a wonder I can hear the light knock on my driver’s side window.Of course.I know who it is before I turn my head. Adam points downward, indicating I should roll down my window.

“You okay?” he asks, giving me a pitiful smile.

I smooth my disheveled hair, now frizzy from my theatrics. In my defense, I thought I was alone here in the far back of the leasing office’s parking lot. No way Adam heard my meltdown all the way from the entry of the building.

“Yeah,” I chirp, pretending like I have no idea what he’s talking about.

He raises one eyebrow. “You sure? It sounded like you needed help.”

Shit. Okay, he heard everything.

“I was just listening to a little heavy metal and if you’re not screaming along—”

He interrupts me with a scoff. “Nameoneheavy metal band.”

It’s clear he thinks he has me, so I recite the only heavy metal band I know thanks to one of my best friends, Reese, and her plight to convince me that there’s more to music than Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, and Florida Georgia Line. “HELLYEAH.”

His jaw drops in disbelief. “Name one of their songs.”

Ah, fuck…what was that one I kind of liked called?Quiet… Shush…oh!“Hush.”

“Damn,” he says. “That was almost convincing, except”—he points into my car at the stereo system—“there’s no music.”

I widen my eyes at him. “Fine, detective. I’m having a bad day, okay?” I mumble as I rotate my wrist, watching his light brown eyes catch the sunlight. They look honey-gold as the sun shines right through his pupils. “My car battery is dead. You caught me in a low moment, so please pardon my car tantrum.” I shoo him with my fingers through the window. “Now, off you go.”

“It’s not your battery, Amani. Your windows still roll down. It’s probably your ignition. Why don’t you pop the hood—”

“Adam,” I grumble, “I’ve got it.” There’s tension in my chest, the same tightening that occurs whenever someone asks me if I’m okay. There’s too much pressure in the dam and I need him to stop hacking away the barricade.

“Come on. I’ve been waiting for the moment I get to play the hero. Let me save you.” I swear he tries to smolder as he leans down to make his gaze level with mine.

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