Page 112 of Sin City Lights

“Right.” Dave looked at him with a sharp eye. The man had known him since Adam was a teenager.“This is the call girl.”

It was a statement, not a question.

Apparently, the gossip had reached Dave faster than Adam thought it would. He’d never hidden Eve because he hadn’t cared if people talked. Nothing was inaccurate about what his friend said, but hearing it got under Adam’s skin.

His hand tightened over the glass, his teeth grinding.

Dave chuckled, pointing at Adam around his glass of tea.“That look, right there, is all I needed to know.” He leaned back in his chair.“I thought something was up when you kept asking for flowers. In case you wanted an opinion, I really like her. She’s a sweet girl, and the way she looks at you…”

Adam smiled.“I like her too.”

Dave cleared his throat.“What happened to that albatross around your neck?”

Adam frowned into his empty glass.“Still there.”

“This should have been taken care of a long time ago,” Dave grumbled.

“I know.”

Dave raised an eyebrow. He motioned with his chin toward Eve, who was now happily snipping blooms.“Doessheknow?”

Adam didn’t answer. He tipped the glass to his mouth and caught an ice cube, chewing.

Dave frowned.“So, that’s a negative. When were you planning on telling her?”

I wasn’t.

Adam shrugged.“It’s close to being resolved, so I don’t see the point.”

Dave shook his head, disapproval all over his face.“If this is serious, and if she hears it from anyone other than you, it’s gonna be really ugly, son.”

He didn’t have time to reply because Eve was returning, a bucketof colorful blooms in one hand, a single coral rose in the other. Sun and pure pleasure had pinked her cheeks, her dark, glossy hair framed her sweet face, and her brown eyes sparkled the instant they alighted on Adam.

She came to stand beside him, and he couldn’t resist placing his hand at the small of her back and stroking.

“That’s quite the harvest.”

Eve nodded happily. She brought the single rose to his cheek, caressing his face, then trailed it to his nose.“Smell this one.”

He smiled, thinking how she literally made him stop and smell the roses. He inhaled the sweet fragrance, his eyes on her lips.“That’s really nice. What is the name of it?”

She beamed.“It’s Eve.”

•

Eve

Adam: Landed.

Eve: I know. Ten minutes ago. I heard you.

Adam: ?

Eve: I downloaded the ATC app. You sounded sexy talking to the tower.

Adam: I’ll sound even sexier in person. I’ll be home in twenty.

Eve: I’m at my place.

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