Page 61 of Dear Adam
A natural blush peeks through all the Chanel makeup she is wearing. “I saw it at a boutique today and thought Adam might like it.”
“Did you bring that, too?” I ask, pointing to the stuffed wiener dog I found on the Fourth of July.
“I did.”
I chew on this information before answering. “Why?”
Mom glances around the room before her eyes finally meet mine. “I know how much he loves that dog. And…when he wakes up, I want him to know I care. He’s my son. I love him.”
I’m surprised to find tears welling in my eyes. “I’m sure he’ll love them both, Mom.” And knowing Adam, he really will. The second he’s able, there’s no doubt he’ll be proudly flashing that bumper sticker all over Charleston.
“I care about you too, you know,” she says. “And I’m proud of you both.”
Unable to say anything, I simply nod and turn to face the other wall to wipe the tears that have fallen. I feel her hand on my back before she encompasses me into a hug.
“I can cover for you if you want to take the day off,” Emma says tentatively as soon as I step into Bloomie’s.
“Do I look that bad?” I ask, glancing at my reflection in the shop window. A piece of hair stands straight up, and I pat it down.
“You look…tired,” Emma says carefully.
Iamtired. After my fight with Levi, I haven’t slept very well, and visiting my brother this morning left me even more emotionally drained.
“I’m fine,” I reassure Emma. “Just a long night of tossing and turning and hoping a wild animal didn’t come through the hole in the side of the house.”
“I told you we should’ve let a professional take your porch off,” Emma says, crossing her arms. “And it’s not even that big.”
After only a few minutes of hammering yesterday, Emma found out she actually really loves demolition. However, one wrong swing left a hole in the siding large enough for a bear to fit through.
When the bell above the door tinkles, I turn to greet the customer.
“Good morn—” I say, falling silent when I realize it’s Hudson.
“Good morning, Aly,” he says smoothly and glides to where I’m standing. I can’t help but glance down at his feet to see if maybe, by some small miracle, he’s wearing socks today.
He’s not.
“How is our favorite flower shop owner?” he asks, and I cringe when he takes my hands. If he notices, he pretends he doesn’t because he keeps holding them. His hands are actually very soft…toosoft. I tug out of his grasp and shove them into the front pocket of my apron.
“I’m good, Hudson,” I say dryly. “What can I help you with?”
“Let’s see. What canyouhelpmewith?” He rests his finger on his chin, and it takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. He’s so dramatic. “How about I pick you up Friday night around six and we go out together?”
“Friday night? That’s the night of the gala,” I say.
“Exactly. Don’t tell me you’re still set on taking that boy who drives a Mini Cooper with eyelashes.”
I almost tell him,of course I am,but then I remember Levi isn’t here, and he’s not coming back. Especially not after our fight. My stomach sinks at the memory, but I shove it to the farthest corner of my mind.
“Well?” Hudson asks.
“I’m not going with anyone,” I say firmly.
“So, if we bump into each other at the gala and sit together, it wouldn’t hurt. Is that what you’re saying?” Hudson asks.
I consider that. I guess,technically, it wouldn’t hurt anything. I would be saved from Mom and Dad’s wrath, the night would go a lot smoother, and as long as he didn’t pick me up, it couldn’t be considered a date. I’d also have my own way home in case things got to be too much.
I tap my index finger against my lower lip before answering. “No, I guess that wouldn’t hurt anything.”
