He held her in a crushing embrace, and they stood in silent mourning for the life of the small deer. She was sure he could feel the pounding of her heart against his chest. After a moment, he released her, his eyes moist. “We’d better hurry. I saw a flash of lightning.”
They buried the body, scooping the last of the dirt on top just as the rain started to fall. Megan ran to the car, Adam on her heels. Dale was already in the back seat.
No one spoke as Adam drove her home. When they got to her apartment doorstep, he stepped back. “Sorry. I’m a mess.”
Her throat closed with emotion. She didn’t care about the blood on his shirt or the dirt under his nails. She’d caught a glimpse into Adam’s heart tonight. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sure you won’t want me to—”
She silenced him with her kiss. He seemed surprised at first, but then put his arms around her. Her head swam, and she pulled back.
He stared at her, as if trying to figure out what she was thinking.
“Good night,” she whispered.
After shutting her door, she leaned against it, her heart fluttering. What was wrong with her? Adam wasn’t to be trusted. She knew that. He was in cahoots with Leon.
But she’d seen a softer side of him tonight. Right?
Wait. She shook her head. He put on a facade every day for the cameras. It had to be fake. He had to be playing it up for the cameras. The whole thing with the deer was an act. A show for the viewers, and to fool her into liking him.
Anger built up inside her, and she tossed her shoes in the closet. She’d almost fallen for it. Adam, the sensitive. Right. He was such a jerk.
But something about the evening bugged her. And when she slipped into her nightgown it hit her.
He hadn’t once looked at his car to see if there was any damage.
11
Adam drove down the wetstreet, Dale in the passenger seat, the camera on his lap. A chime sounded, and he took out his phone. “Leon wants us to film you and Megan dying eggs tomorrow.”
Adam nodded. Of course. He’d known that would happen. “Sure. Whatever.” Irritation slid over him. Didn’t he get any time with Megan away from the camera? Where did his private life end, and his public life begin? He stopped the car in the station parking lot. “I hope Leon’s paying you enough.”
Dale slid out of the car, grinning. “Oh, yeah. By the time this is done, I’ll be rich.” He ran into the building.
The rain had stopped, and a fresh spring smell filled the air. Instead of pulling out of the lot, Adam picked up his phone and dialed Megan.
“Hello?”
“Hey. I wanted to talk to you without…you know…anyone listening in.”
A muffled sound came through the phone, like she was holding it against her shoulder. “Yeah?”
Might as well plunge right in. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you to spend Easter with me.”
“Oh, I wasn’t fishing for an invitation.”
“No, I’d love for you to come with me. To meet my father.”
She was silent, and sudden nerves assaulted him. Was that too forward? Was he presuming too much?
Another muffled sound came through. “Um, sure. Okay.”
He’d better downplay it. “I mean, it’s no big deal. It’s not like the big ‘meet the family’ thing.” More silence, and he slapped his palm against his forehead. Why had he said that?
“Yeah. I wasn’t thinking it was.”
“Of course you weren’t. It’s just…well, my father…he’s a little different.” He inwardly groaned. Could he possibly screw this conversation up more? Way to sell the idea to her. Maybe he could throw in a promise to toss her down the stairs and pour lemon juice on her cuts.
