Page 23 of When Love Comes Home

"You don’t have to apologize," he says, his voice reassuring. "The important thing is that we’re here now. And I’m back in my house."

A grin spreads across my face, and I can’t help but laugh. He joins in, the sound deep and genuine, carrying away whatever lingering hurts remained between us. In that moment, surrounded by the creak of the swing and the hum of the night, something shifts between us. The laughter feels like a thread, weaving our hearts together in a way that’s exciting, new, and somehow forever.

***

During lunch—turkey sandwiches and cucumber salad—we talk about our faith. How going to church on Sundays was mandatory when we were growing up. During the four years Adam spent almost living with my family, he joined us for service every Sunday. Dad would swing by and pick him up from his foster parents’ home. We’d go to church, then he’d stay for lunch, sometimes even dinner.

We talk about the fourteen birthday cards he sent me, which I never opened. Guilt courses through my veins, but he puts me at ease, reassuring me that it’s okay.

"I did open the card you sent me when Tater died," I say. "My heart was so broken. I really needed words of support, and somehow, I knew that your words would comfort me."

"I'm glad it helped," he smiles.

His gaze is so intense, I can feel it touching my heart. I look away, immediately changing the subject. "Do you want to play a game?" I suggest.

"That depends," he smiles. "What are the stakes?"

"If you win, I make you dinner tomorrow," I say. "If I win, I watch you make me dinner tomorrow."

"What's the game?" he asks, already grinning ear to ear.

"It’s calledDo You Really Know Me?"

"Okay," he says. "I'm game but let me warn you. Thanks to your dad, I know you pretty well."

"Yeah, well, my Dad kept me informed about you as well," I confess.

He wasn’t kidding though. He got every single question right.

"Why is green your favorite color?" I ask, giving myself another point.

"Because your eyes are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen," he says. His words are so full of candor that I'm left speechless. I glance down at my watch to avoid his gaze and realize dinner is in two hours. "Adam, it's four o'clock!" I exclaim. "If I miss dinner at my parents' house one more time, they'll disown me."

After cleaning the kitchen, we both retreat into our separate bedrooms to get ready. A smile spreads across my face as I spot my laptop sitting on the bed. I make a mental note to change my email password toAdamMadeMeSmile.

Chapter 11

Adam

Isitonthesofa, flipping through People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive issue. Half an hour later, I hear the bedroom door open and look up to see her walking toward me.

She’s wearing dark blue jeans and a pink sweater, with a delicate gold necklace around her neck. Gold hoop earrings and ankle boots complete the look. Her hair is tied up in what women call a messy bun, with soft, loose strands framing her face. I don’t think she’s wearing any makeup, except maybe some lip gloss.

Without thinking, I walk over to her, take one of the loose strands between my fingertips, and tuck it behind her ear. Her subtle, sweet perfume overwhelms my senses, and all I want to do is pull her close. But I settle for a compliment. "You look beautiful."

On our way to Jon’s, Katie opens up about working with him. “Working with Dad has always been my dream," she says. "He’s teaching me everything there is to know about real estate. I love meeting clients, generating leads, showing properties, and marketing. But most of all, I love working with him. Linder Realty is my future.”

"Your face lights up when you talk about him," I say. "I know his plan is to leave you at the helm so he and Sharon can travel the world."

"He doesn’t think I’m too young?" she asks.

"You’re a competent realtor, Katie," I say. "He has complete confidence in your ability to run the firm."

She is her father’s daughter, I think to myself.

"Do you like what you do?" she asks.

“I do," I admit. "I usually have multiple real estate investment deals going at once. Up until now, I’ve been a one-man show, but I recently decided to take on a partner. It'll help me stay on top of everything without having to travel so much. I want to put down roots here.”

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