Page 6 of Her Senator's Second Chance

“Youleftme, Natasha.Youended things between us. That was your choice. Not mine. So, you don’t get to ask about my private relationships. You lost that right when you left.”

It had been her choice. But she’d done it to protect herself. But now, a small, scared part of her was wondering what might have been.

“You didn’t even explain yourself,” he said, his voice quieter now.

“You wouldn’t have understood.”

“That’s easy for you to say! You didn’t even give me a chance to understand. You just shut me out. I was just a kid.”

“Just a kid? You were Adam Larson. Invincible. Like Superman.”

“It hurt, Natasha. I still don’t know what I did wrong. And I think that’s what hurts the worst. You didn’t trust me enough to talk things out with me. Do you know what it’s like to spend ten years wondering if there’s something broken about you?”

Natasha had to look away from the pain in Adam’s eyes. She’d been so brave to face him before, but this was getting to be too much. She turned to leave the pantry, but the door swung shut on its own, the lock clicking from the outside.

“What the-?” Natasha jerked on the doorknob, but it didn’t budge. Panic rose in her chest. She had to get away from Adam and quickly. “Jenny?” She banged on the door. “Can you hear me?”

“What’s going on?” Adam asked, moving close to her.

“Somehow the door swung shut and locked from the outside.”

“Here, let me try.”

Natasha stepped aside and let Adam attempt to open the door. But he didn’t seem to have any better luck. “Jenny!” he called.

Laughter floated through the door. Deep belly laughs. “This really is too great.”

“Very funny, Jenny,” Adam said in a tired voice. “Can you please unlock the door and let us out of here? I’m exhausted. I’ve had an extremely long day. I just want to get my cell phone and go home.”

“You know what?” Jenny said. “I don’t think I will. You two obviously have some catching up to do. And since Natasha loves to run away without facing her feelings, this is the perfect opportunity to talk things out.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Natasha said.

“Nope,” Jenny replied. “I’m not kidding. I’m not letting you two out until you work things out between the two of you. Adam, you clearly don’t love Darla. You know that as well as I do. Don’t throw your life away on the wrong woman. Besides, I really don’t want her as a sister-in-law. She makes my skin crawl.”

“Jenny! Open the door right now!” Adam demanded.

“You can’t just leave us in here,” Natasha insisted. Jenny was officially insane. She’d completely lost it.

“Natasha, you live upstairs, right?” Jenny asked in a chipper tone.

“Yes…” Natasha answered with hesitation. Whatever Jenny had in mind couldn’t be good.

“Do you mind if I crash upstairs and make myself at home? I’m getting the impression that you guys might be awhile. I mean, if your little fight is any sign…”

“This is ridiculous.” Adam sounded like he was saying it through gritted teeth.

“I’m calling the police,” Natasha said. “You won’t get away with this.”

“What are you going to call them with? Your cell phone is sitting right here on the counter. You’ve been running away from Adam for far too long. I’m not going to let my brother make the worst mistake of his life. Anyway, I’ll talk to Dave at the police station and explain the situation to him. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Jenny and Dave were best friends from third grade all the way through high school. Even if she had her phone, there wasn’t a chance he would put a stop to her antics. He’d probably think it was hilarious. And it wasn’t like Adam had his phone. Jenny still hadn’t given it to him. She was probably holding it right now.

“You don’t by chance have another phone on you, do you?” Natasha dared to look over at Adam.

He let out a curt laugh. “No. Unfortunately, not.”

“Well, you two lovebirds have fun in there, I’m going upstairs to see if Natasha has anything good to eat. Have fun!” Jenny’s cheerful tone set Natasha’s teeth on edge.

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