Page 53 of Sky Full of Stars

“I need to sit down.” I laugh as she drops back into her chair, using one foot to spin it back and forth slightly, looking dazed. “Hold the phone, you want me to meet him? Tonight?”

“Yes, if Lou is okay with it. He can’t just walk in there when the place is full. It’d be mobbed. Will you come?”

Brooke puts her hands over her face and screams behind them. “Fuck yes.”

Chapter Sixteen

“You look hot,” Brooke tells me as we sit in McAllister’s at the bar.

Lou agreed to lock up early and there are a few regulars inside we know we can trust, because quite frankly, they won’t care who Adam is. I look down at myself. I decided to wear a dress tonight, it’s not over the top sexy like Brooke is making out but it does fit in all the right places. “When is he getting here?”

“He’ll text when he’s outside.”

“I’m sweating,” she runs a hand through her hair.

She looks gorgeous, she’s tried too, more than either of us would normally for a few drinks in McAllister’s. I know Brooke would never try anything but a part of me is anxious Adam is going to look at her and forget all about me. I’ve never felt that way around Brooke before, but I’ve never really been with a guy that I didn’t want to take his eyes off me.

“Here,” Lou plonks two bottles of Blue Moon in front of us. “This guy gonna cause me any trouble?”

“No, Lou, he’s good,” I assure him. Lou nods at the barred list on the wall. They’re not all for me, obviously but he makes his point. “Be nice.”

My phone pings. “He’s here.” Brooke squeals. “Get the fan girl out now and for fucks sake do not ask him for an autograph like a teenager.”

“Not promising anything,” she laughs.

I get up and unlock the front door. I open it and see him standing there. He’s wearing a white t-shirt, dark jeans and boots and an unbuttoned pea-coat with the collar pulled up around his ears. He looks like sex on legs and again, I swoon, wondering how the hell I’m going to get through tonight without jumping him. He gives me a smile as I pull the door open wider for him to come through. He leans over and kisses me softly on the lips. I am gooey. Brooke is right. This guy is making a mess of me.

“You look beautiful,” his eyes run up and down me. Then he turns and looks around the bar. I glance back, the only person staring is Brooke. No one else cares who he is. Lou looks over though, giving Adam a hard stare. “Looks like I’m gonna be watched tonight,” he gives me a little laugh.

“That’s just Lou,” I tell him as I re-lock the door. “He was my dad’s best friend.”

“Got it, watch my hands around Lou.”

I laugh and tilt my head for him to follow me. Brooke nearly falls off her chair. Adam smiles at her. “You must be Brooke,” he takes her hand.

“Fuck,” she breathes.

“Brooke,” I shake my head.

“Sorry,” she laughs. “I get one moment to fan girl, right?”

“One,” I laugh back. “This is Adam.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” he says, giving her one of his electric smiles.

“Beer?” I ask him. He nods so I go over to Lou. “What?” He’s staring hard at me. “Relax, he’s a good guy, you’ll see.” He doesn’t answer. He’s always been the strong, silent, gonna kick your ass if you hurt my girls, kind of guy.

I look back and see Adam talking with Brooke and she laughs, her head tipping back. Something clutches in my chest and I have to tell myself to stop worrying. Adam smiles when he looks at me, relaxed like he knows he doesn’t have to worry about anything here. He doesn’t, here in my little world, he is just Adam. The sound on the TV is down and music is playing quieter than when the bar is open.

I take the three beers and we head to one of the booths. Adam lets me in and slides in next to me. He takes off his coat and grabs his beer, then he puts his other arm around the back of the booth behind me.

“This place is great,” he smiles. “This is where you guys hang out?”

“Ever since we were old enough to drink,” Brooke says. “We had to go to another bar before that because Lou would kill us if he knew we were drinking underage,” she whispers. Adam smiles and Brooke nearly faints. “So, Adam, what brings you to New York?”

“Jenna,” he puts his hand on my shoulder and I blush. He laughs when he sees it. I’m reminded of him telling me I’m not allowed to blush because it turns him on.

“My girl is definitely worth flying across the country for,” Brooke smiles at me.

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