Page 55 of Champagne Kisses
“I suggest you figure that out. Then you’ll know what your next move is.” We sit in silence as I mull over his words.
“Thanks for the talk, man. I know it’s weird, us talking about this girl stuff, but I really appreciate it.”
“Not as weird as this,” he says, nudging me with his elbow. I look down to see him holding both his balls in a clenched fist. I punch him in the shoulder and jump up off the couch.
“Gross, dude. That’s my cue to leave,” I say over my shoulder on the way to the door. He’s still laughing as the door closes behind me. What a dick.
Thankfully the wedding stuff is about to be done. It’s just a little over a month until the big day. Bryan may be a bit of a douche sometimes, but I’m really happy for him. He and Jessi are obviously in love. I know the feeling.
Ugh. Things between Maya and I are…weird. I think I love her, but I don’t really know how things are gonna go. I don’t know if we can get past the bullshit with my brother and the bullshit with Emily, and just be together. She might just run away. Am I still willing to chase her after all this drama?
Chapter thirty
Maya
Ihad to park six blocks from my apartment, but I don't mind. There's a cool breeze and it smells like someone is burning leaves nearby. Fall in New York is my favorite, hands down. The humidity lets up, the leaves start to change, and I can finally wear all my sweaters without getting weird looks. Adam never minded my sweaters, but…
I pick up the pace and turn the music in my earbuds up louder to clear that unpleasant thought. It’s been three weeks since Damon’s going-away dinner…and the huge fight afterward. Adam's been answering my texts but it’s…different. He's closed off and distant. He doesn’t call anymore. He doesn’t answer when I try to call. And we haven’t seen each other since that night. I've showed up a few times, but I never get past the buzzer. Despite Denise's hopes,—and mine—the weird, crazy, amazing, spectacular,fantasticthing I had going with Adam seems like it's over for good.
Once I got home that horrible night and wasn’t seeing red, I knew I was to blame. Emily is a skank and I hope she trips down a flight of stairs, but I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about what happened. I should've listened when Adam tried to explain. Even if shewashitting on him, can I really blame him for that? I mean, heissuper hot. And he was right. Ididknow him well enough to know he didn’t want to be with her.
With the pause between Adam and I, I've been killing it at work. I'm still glowing with the thought of continuing to teach my Summer kids when school starts. And I'm so relieved Denise and I made up. It hurt, and we both made mistakes, but I think I made more of them.
Also with the help of the pause, I can appreciate exactly how much my friends are here for me when I need them. After the last time I tried to see Adam (unsuccessfully), I went to Tiffany's and we belted out Kelly Clarkson and Cardi B for hours at the karaoke bar down the block. It beats crying. Then once D and I were back on good terms, the girls and I did a movie marathon (no romance movies allowed), and another boozy brunch.
I drop my bag, keys, and a box of art supplies right inside the door of my apartment. Khan greets me with head butts—he's always happy to see me, or at least he pretends to be because I feed him daily. I give him a rueful smile as he winds figure eights around my legs. I nearly wipe out, and my cell phone flies fromthe pocket of my oversized sweater. When I pick it up to put it on the counter, Adam's texts are like a slap in the face.
Adam
Are you sure you can’t come over?
Adam:I want to. Just don’t think it would be a good idea.
I absently pet Khan. He’s purring loud enough to drown out a sewing machine. At leastsomeoneis feeling good right now. I prepare Khan's wet food and put the kettle on. Maybe some chamomile will soothe my nerves. Khan dives face first into his bowl, completely forgetting me. Let's hope that's not a trait shared by all males.
It's almost killed me not to see Adam, to feel him, not to get a chance to apologize…because he was right about me. Just because Cory managed to voice all my insecurities, didn’t mean Adam felt the same way. Adam’s words and actions never said anything but that he loved being with me, and loved making love to me. Sure, he hadn’t said those three words that were always on the tip of my tongue when we were together, but that didn’t mean he was faking anything with me. From the moment I met him, he seemed genuine. He wasn't afraid to say he was interested, he wasn't afraid to be seen with me in public, and he wasn't afraid to show his affection…sometimes three times in a night.
My cheeks turn pink and I try to get my mind out of the gutter. Things might be over between us, but Ms. Kitty downstairs hasnot gotten the memo! Practically every night sincethatnight, I've woken up with my hand inside my panties. The sex isn't the only reason I'm in love with Adam, but damn if it doesn't help a lot!
The whistle from the kettle breaks into my thoughts and I scroll to his texts from a week after the fight.
Adam
Adam:FYI: I talked to Cory.
You did?
Adam:He’s really sorry about what he said. When I talked to him, he said he’d already talked to Mom and Dad about what a dick he was at dinner.
I appreciate the apology, but you didn’t have to fight with your brother on my account.
Adam:Yes I did. He was out of line.
Did you maybe want to come over andtalk? No pressure.
Adam:Can’t tonight.
Oh, OK.
