Page 53 of It'll Always Be Her

As he set up his laptop, a pretty server with long black hair swishing behind her in a ponytail approached with a glass of water and a basket of artisan-baked rolls.

“Hey, I haven’t seen you here before.” She set the water and bread in front of him. “You’re with the crew?”

He nodded. “Adam Powers.”

“Rory Taylor.” She indicated her name tag. “Have you had the artichoke soup?”

“Yesterday, yeah. I’ll have another bowl and a—”

His voice broke off. He stared across the room at a table by the fireplace where Bee Delaney sat, looking as edible as a little blueberry muffin in a navy blouse with her golden-brown hair falling in shiny waves to her shoulders.

Even from across the room, Adam could see the silver book locket glinting against her skin along with the black stone. The big guy seated across from her was wearing a neatly pressed shirt and sports jacket. Like he wanted to impress her.

Like he was on adate.

What the—

“A burger?” Rory asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Or a steak?”

“A…uh, a steak.” Adam snapped the menu closed and handed it to her. “Medium rare. And a beer, whatever’s on tap.”

“Got it.” She weaved around the tables back to the bar and returned with a foaming pint and a bowl of the world-famous soup. After setting them down, she indicated the kitchen. “The rest of your food won’t be long.”

He thanked her, keeping his eyes on Bee and the guy. She was smiling, leaning forward slightly as if she were interested in whatever he was saying.

Jealousy roiled in Adam’s chest, hot and thick. Barely restraining himself from stalking over there and breaking up whatever was going on, he brought up the script on his laptop and tried to focus.

He told himself to calm the fuck down. Bee wouldn’t go on a date with another guy after the kissing and “experimenting” they’d done.

Then again, they hadn’t made any promises either. He’d agreed to her “just friends” suggestion, and neither of them had actually said they wanted more from each other.

Hehadn’t said that, which made him a world-class fool. When they were in the parking lot, he’d started going off about science and friendship and chemistry or whatever.

If any of his former colleagues had heard the crap he’d been spewing, they’d have kicked him out of the field, even if there hadn’t been any plagiarism charge. Hell, even if he’d won the Nobel Prize.

Did he think a woman like Bee would just be available forever? That some other guy wouldn’t swoop in like a vulture and—

“Here you go.” Rory appeared with a large plate laden with a juicy steak, potatoes, and French style green beans. As she made room on the table and set the plate down, Adam dragged his gaze away from Bee.

“Thanks.” He looked at Rory, trying to keep his tone even. “Interested in grabbing a drink when your shift ends?”

She lifted her left hand and pointed at the silver wedding band on her ring finger, then jerked her thumb toward the bartender.

“Sorry.” Adam gave a short nod, disgusted with himself for trying to use her and glad he hadn’t stood a chance. “My mistake.”

“Actually…” Rory leaned on the back of a chair and pierced him with a knowing stare. “It looks like your mistake has nothing to do with me and everything to do with not asking Bee out first. And if you keep glaring at Scott like that, you’re going to set him on fire.”

Adam frowned.Scott,huh? At least his name wasn’t Todd. But the guy probably still claimed to like long walks in the damn rain.

Did Bee? He had no idea. Actually, he didn’t know much about what she liked and didn’t like.

No, that wasn’t true. He knew more about her likes than he wanted to admit. She liked fantasy novels and cucumber sandwiches. She liked canaries and old cats who needed someone.

She liked the smell of vanilla, delicate silver jewelry, and making people feel at home in her library. And she really liked the way he rubbed his lips over hers and slid his tongue into her mouth while—

“For what it’s worth—” Rory’s voice broke into his thoughts as she nodded toward Bee and Scott, “—this is the first time I’ve seen them together.”

“Who is he?”

---