Page 26 of Dear Adam
Hudson sighs and takes the glass reluctantly, then inspects it thoroughly before sitting it down. The waitress backs away slowly then all but runs back to the kitchen when she realizes he has nothing to say.
“So…how’s business?” I ask, but my phone lights up in my bag, pulling my focus. I reach down, hoping it’s news on Adam, and see one new message from Levi.
Watching a Meg Ryan movie. Wanna join? It can be just like old times.
I stifle a giggle and type back,Can’t right now. At dinner.
Levi:I’ll let you watch the elevator scene twice. I know that part always got you back in the day.
Me:That part gets anyone with a heart and you know it.
Levi:I’m so glad you introduced me to Meg Ryan.
Me:Me? If I remember correctly, I walked in on you and Adam watching it in the basement with a box of tissues between you. That was the first time I’d ever even heard of this movie.
Levi:It sounds better if I say I walked in on you watching it though, doesn’t it?
Me:Ha ha. I’m at dinner though. I’ve gotta go.
“Funny you should ask. I was just named Sales Associate of the Month again.” He wiggles his eyebrows and raises his glass for a toast. “Aly? Did you hear me?”
“What? Oh, yes!” I politely tap my glass against his and mentally calculate how many sales associates Dad has under him. I only come up with five, including Adam. Hudson seems really happy, though, so I decide not to mention it isn’t exactly a big pool to choose from.
“That’s great,” I say, feigning enthusiasm. The waitress sets our entrees on the table, and I immediately reach for the garlic toast. Hudson grimaces and I pull back. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just that…do you know how many carbs are in that piece of bread?” I fake a laugh, knowing there's no way someone in their right mind actually said that without joking, and reach for it again, looking at him. Suddenly, I realize he’s being completely serious. His expression is pure, unadulterated horror.
“Do you not eat carbs?” I ask. I peel off the tiniest bit from the corner and pop it into my mouth. The butter and garlic melt on my taste buds, and it’s so delicious, I could cry.
He visibly shudders. “Do you think I could have the body of a god if I ate carbs like that?”
“I don’t know,” I answer, unsure of what to say.
“You don’t chance ruining perfectly chiseled pecs like these with too many carbs. I mean, have you seen these things?”
“Umm…no I haven’t,” I answer, distracted by the way he’s bouncing his pecs under his perfectly starched white shirt. Is that supposed to be turning me on?
“Don’t worry. You will tonight.” He shoots me a wink and I feel the red wine I’ve been drinking begin its ascent up my throat.
“I’ll be right back,” I say and grab my purse from the floor. “Lady issues,” I whisper and point to my purse. He grimaces and turns back to his steak.
The second my back is turned to him, I text Levi.
On second thought, that sounds great. Pick me up in front of the steak house on the harbor. Not trying to rush you but ASAP would be nice.
Chapter twelve
Levi
I’moncloudnineright now, literally skipping down the front porch steps and humming “Thunderstruck.” I’m unstoppable. Somebody call nine-one-one, because I’m on fire.When Aly texted me to come get her, I’ve never moved so fast in my life. I’m talking Usain Bolt fast. That is until I realize this Knight in Shining Armor’s chariot is nothing less than the Teenie Mobile. When I start the engine and the purple under glow shines to life, I just know my man card has been revoked. It’s dusk, so you canreallysee it, too.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I hit every button on the dash at least twice and nothing turns it off, so reluctantly, I give up. My phone lights up with a slew of incoming messages right as I’m about to turn out of my driveway.
I give it maybe five more minutes before my date comes looking for me. SOS. HELP.
I'm going to start walking.
