Page 20 of Tangled Up In You

Adam arrivedat Brodie and Chelsea's home a little after five on Saturday night. He'd hoped to get Drew to join him for his sister's barbecue, but Drew had refused, saying he wasn't hungry. He'd told him if that changed there were frozen pizzas in the freezer and a salad in the fridge. Drew had given him a grunt, gone into the guest room and closed the door. He was beginning to wonder if having Drew stay with him was a big mistake. He hadn't realized the level of antipathy that Drew held for him. At one point, the kid had idolized him, but, of course, a lot had changed since then.

Still, it was early. Maybe Drew would loosen up after he was in the mountains for a while. He'd agreed to go on the hike tomorrow with Brodie's group, so that was a start. Meeting some younger people might make him realize he could have some fun here.

But Adam did remember being nineteen and wanting his own life. Maybe he needed to tell Drew that, let him know he understood, that he just wanted to be a friend, not a jailer or a pseudo-father figure. That conversation would have to wait until tomorrow.

As he got out of his car, he ran into Hannah and Jake on the sidewalk. Hannah's fiery red hair was swept up in a ponytail, and she wore white linen pants and a tank top falling off her fair, freckled shoulders. Jake was in his usual jeans and a T-shirt. They both looked incredibly happy since tying the knot a few months ago.

"How's your foot?" Jake asked him.

"It's getting better."

"Are you resting it?" Hannah gave him a suspicious look that had probably been honed by her years as a nurse. "Or are you trying to impatiently move that part of the healing process forward?"

"I've been resting it."

"Make sure you do. In the long run, the healing will go faster and better."

"That's what I've been told. Patience is not one of my strengths."

Hannah frowned. "You have to take the time off, Adam. The world will not end if you're not in action for a few weeks."

Hannah was never one to sugarcoat her suggestions, but he liked that she was direct. Yes, Nurse Hannah," he teased.

She made a face at him, then led the way to the front door. They didn't bother to knock, just walked into the house, which was beautiful, large, and new. Brodie and Chelsea had taken the previous home down to the studs to rebuild and had turned the adjacent barn into a recording studio for Chelsea's very successful music career.

Brodie came through the patio door, wearing a bright-red apron that was labeled Grill Master.

Adam grinned. "Nice apron."

"Chelsea thought it was funny, and I'm wearing it so she has something to smile about."

"What's wrong?" he asked quickly.

"She's just spending a lot of time in the bathroom. The baby doesn't seem to care for anything that she eats."

"Poor thing," Hannah said. "I'll go check on her."

"She's upstairs."

As Hannah left, Brodie gave them a worried and helpless look. "I hate to see Chelsea suffering like this. I thought she'd be better by now. There's nothing I can do that makes anything better."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate you wearing the apron," he said. "Hopefully, she's almost out of this morning sickness phase."

"We both keep thinking that, but it goes on and on. Anyway, come on back. There are cold beers, wine, and Zach just made very strong margaritas."

"I'm in," Jake said, heading first through the French doors leading out to the patio.

As Adam followed the guys outside, his gaze swept the crowd. The usual suspects were all there: his sister Lizzie and her husband Justin, Zach and Gianna, Hannah and Jake, Chloe, Leo, and…

He stiffened in surprise, his stomach flipping over as a beautiful brunette with stunning green eyes smiled at Leo and tickled him in the stomach, drawing a giddy little laugh from Chloe's little boy.

Chloe must have invited Molly. They had been friends when they were young. He should have anticipated that she'd be here, that Chloe would want Molly to reunite with her old friends.

He shouldn't care. But his lips tingled as he remembered their hot and very unexpected kiss.

Her gaze suddenly swung to his. Her lips parted, her eyes wary.

Had she known this barbecue was at his sister's house?Was that why she'd come—so she could see him?

---