I couldn’t help but think of the times Adair had been the one to reach for me. Today. This past week.
Ever since we’d met, really.
I spun around and took Adair’s face between my hands and kissed the surprised gasp right off his lips. His hands flew to my waist, anchoring me to him. When the elevator jolted to a stop just moments later, our lips slowed, and we breathed each other’s air for those two suspended seconds before the doors opened.
The dazed look on his face as we left the elevator matched whatever was going on in my chest.
Just by letting me kiss him, by being him, he might’ve made me less of a liar.
41
ADAIR
“Wow,” Delly said when Ireland came out of the bathroom on the third floor. “Good job finishing your hair. It really has that ’90s teased effect.”
Ireland touched the back of her hair, which was still sticking up every which way. “Yep.” She glanced my way, then back to Delly. “That’s what I was going for.”
My cheeks hurt from holding back a smile, and I went to grip the back of my neck, then froze.
Lordy. I should go wash up too.Without a word, I casually wheeled into the nearest bathroom.
I might also just need a minute, too, because… yeah.
Blowing out a breath, I raised my gaze to the mirror, surprised that I still looked like me even though I’d just made my girlfriendcome. In public.
I smiled at my reflection, shaking my head as I washed up, then took a few extra moments to get my body to simmer down before going back out.
Following the chatter, I stopped at the doorway of Apartment 3A, and I could’ve kissed Cole on the mouth at what I saw.
Ireland wasbeamingas Cole took Beck’s portrait.
I guessed with the natural light from the windows, Cole only needed one extra off-camera light, so his setup was minimal.
Beck was posed with a paintbrush and easel, his carton of crayons peeking out from the breast pocket of one of his signature linen shirts.
He asked Ireland a question over his shoulder, and Cole clicked away, catching the moment she stood behind him and looked at his painting, and they shared a…
Hmm.
Ireland’s lips quirked as he cocked an eyebrow at her, gesturing with his paintbrush. Not quite a smile, but it was sothem.
Pops came out of his room, using a cane as he walked toward me.
I’d forgotten about that.
He put a shaky arm around me, and I hugged him back, inhaling the smell of cedar andhome.
“Hey, Bud.”
“Hey, Pops.”
After a closer, unsubtle—judging by the unimpressed look he gave me—assessment of him, my gaze went right back to the photo shoot.
To Ireland.
Beck was lounging on the couch now, and Pops went to join him.
Delly tugged on the metal basket on the front of my scooter and pulled me forward. “Sit there,” she commanded, pointing to the stool Beck had vacated. “And I’ll be right back.”
