Page 117 of See You at the Finish Line

“What?” I whisper, unsure of his look.

“Boyfriend . . .”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to presume. I mean, I’m moving all my stuff in so even though we haven’t really had the conversation, you did say that we’d fight for our relationship, so I guess I just took a leap and—”

His lips cut me off, my unease melting away as he presses me into the counter. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and the contact calms my mind—more like empties out my mind entirely. He tastes like mint and coffee and my entire future. I know that technically doesn’t make sense, but I swear that’s what he tastes like.

My hands rove over his broad shoulders and he twists my head, getting a new angle. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and heat builds in my core.

Wereallydon’t have time. His family will be here any minute. I slide my hands under his soft white T-shirt, and at the touch of my skin on his, he jerks his hips forward. I feel every considerable inch of him through his joggers, and if I angle myself just right—

Someone clears their throat.

Adam yanks his face away from mine as my hands shoot out of his shirt. I turn to find the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

She is clearly Adam’s mother, Margaret, with the same dark hair, but streaked with white, and piercing blue eyes.

Heat rises to my face at her stern look, and I instantly regret all the worry I devoted to meeting his dad. Adam said his mom was easy to love, but maybeI’mnot easy to love. Her steely features make me feel like a small child getting scolded.

Just as I’m about to speak, apologize, maybe change my name and leave the country, Adam’s body starts shaking underneath mine and his mother’s expression shifts.

Her disapproving stare transforms into a smile of mischief and a familiar spark of joy, which I’ve seen in Adam’s matching eyes, flashes as she looks between us.

Adam places a kiss on the top of my head and then takes my hand, pulling me to the foyer to officially meet his mother.

“Mom, this is the elusive Paige Harrison.”

She reaches out to take my outstretched hand. Her skin is soft and warm. The heart attack she nearly gave me still looms, lingering nerves making my voice shake.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Dr. Ashford,” I say politely.

“Oh, none of that. Please call me Maggie.” She beams at me. “Are you a hugger or would you like to stick to handshakes?”

Her question surprises me but I feel more at ease. “Definitely a hugger.”

“Perfect,” she says, pulling me into a warm hug. There’s no hesitation, though I’m a stranger to her.

Tears prick the back of my eyes. In the last few months of my mom’s life, her body was frail, so our embraces were careful and gentle. It’s been over a year since I’ve been hugged by any motherly figure.

Leah becoming a mom does not count. Maggie’s arms are soft but firm, and she squeezes me before letting go.

“I am so, so excited to finally meet you,” she says, every wordringing with sincerity.

“Mom,” Adam mutters under his breath. She turns her attention away from me and onto her youngest son.

“Oh, excuse me, I didn’t realize we were pretending you haven’t been sulking around, waiting for her for two years.”

I chuckle as Adam’s face turns red.

“I was not sulking,” he says under his breath as the door opens. A whirlwind of blond hair and grocery bags careens through the door. I’m assuming it’s Isabel when she drops the bags and hugs Maggie from behind.

“No fair, you beat me here!” she exclaims before manhandling her mom and pushing her out of the way. Maggie shakes her head but obliges, stepping to the side.

Isabel throws herself at Adam and me, pulling us into a three-person hug. It’s kind of hilarious because she’s tiny and both Adam and I are taller than she is. She makes it work. Before she lets go, she jiggles us.

“I’m so happy I don’t have to go out with Sadam anymore and hear him whine about you,” she says as she releases us.

“Sadam?” I say, looking between them.

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