The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (177 page)

“I know, I know.  I get it, Emmy.  But it doesn’t make me feel any better.”

Adam wraps his long arms around my waist and squeezes, letting me know without any doubt that I am loved and cared for.

“I love you so much,” I tell him, holding him close to me.  “Thank you for understanding.”

He releases me from his tight grip and reassures me.  “Go have a good day at work and I’ll call you when I’m on my way home.”  He gives me a kiss and a pat on the ass as I hop back onto my feet.  “Go make some money to pay the bills,” he teases.  “And don’t say a word to anyone.”

I call back to him as I leave the room.  “I will.  I mean I won’t.  Call when you know something.”  His interview isn’t for two more hours and who knows how long the meeting will last.  I might not hear from him for hours.  I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the day.

“O
kay, Emmy – what’s going on?  That’s like the tenth time you’ve checked your watch since you got to work today.”  Derek and I have been working together behind the bar for a long time and he knows me as well as anyone.  It’s going to be hard to keep this secret from him.  Hell, it’s hard for me to keep secrets from anyone!

“Adam has an appointment at noon.  I’m just hoping he got there on time,” I tell him.

“Oh, yeah?  Is everything okay?” Derek asks, his question laced with concern.

“Sure.  He’s meeting with our, uh, financial advisor.  We’re trying to figure out how long I can stay home after the baby’s born.”  I hate lying, but in some small way, it’s kind of the truth.  If he gets this job, I will be able to stay home if I want to.

That answer seems to satisfy Derek, because he doesn’t ask any more questions.  Minutes turn into hours as the clock moves painfully slowly.  Adam promised he would call me as soon as the meeting ended and now it’s nearly two o’clock.  Maybe they’re negotiating his new contract.  Or maybe he’s just touring their stadium.  Damn, I wish I knew what’s happening.

“Okay, what did he do?” Reese asks, coming up to the bar a few minutes later.

“Who?” I ask uncertainly.

“Adam. You’ve been moping around all day. That usually means the boyfriend did something to upset you.” She and Derek leaned across the bar expectantly. “So, spill. Money? Family? Oh my God, is it the baby?”  Reese’s green eyes look panic-stricken at the thought.

“No, nothing like that.” Reese and Derek exchange disapproving looks.  Then Reese tosses her flaming auburn hair over her shoulder. “Fine, keep your secrets.” She moans as she turns and goes back to work in the kitchen preparing meals for the busy restaurant.

After she leaves, Derek looks at me conspiratorially. “Okay ... she’s gone, you can tell me.”

I shake my head. “There’s really nothing to tell, Derek. Sorry, it’s like I said.  Adam had an appointment and I thought I’d hear from him by now.”

Shortly after, the newlyweds arrive in the restaurant and the entire place erupts with raucous cheers.  Evan and Jette McGuire have been honeymooning in the South Pacific.  After a brief stop home to pack, Evan whisked her away to a remote island somewhere near Fiji.  They arrived home late yesterday, and this is their first visit since the wedding.

“Look, it’s Evanette,” Derek teases as he goes back to mixing drinks.  I think there’s a small part of him that wishes things had turned out differently.  He’s been crushing on Jette from the moment she walked into the bar last year.  They got close, probably a little too close if you ask me, but it was Evan who stole her heart.  Besides, Derek has Shea now and I think she’s a much better fit for him.

“Be nice,” I warn.

“I’m always nice,” Derek smirks slyly.  He turns to a small group of young women sitting at the bar.  “Isn’t that right, ladies?  I might not be Sriracha sauce, but I know how to spice up your life.”

They just giggle their response.

The happy couple makes their way through the room, greeting staff and patrons warmly and openly.  I understand the effect Evan McGuire has on women.  There was a time when I was enamored by him, too.  His Calvin Klein underwear ad was my screen saver for months.  Back then, he wasn’t a real person.  He was a celebrity crush.  I joined the ranks of millions of women who swooned every time they heard the name “Big Mac”.

But over the last year, he’s morphed into the man who married one of my best friends and the shine is long gone from his glittery image.  Despite the magnificent body, the stunning features, and the charming personality, Evan is a mere human, a male, in fact, with flaws and shortcomings not unlike other men I know.

Derek and I rush to make sure all our customers are taken care of so we can greet the happy couple.  The moment they get close to the bar, I race out and throw my arms around one of my besties.  “Jette, I’m so glad you’re home.  We’ve missed you.  How was Fiji?”

“Fiji was ah-mazing.”  I drag her over to one of the empty bar stools and wait to hear more.  “I can’t say enough about this place. It’s just simply the most relaxing, remote, beautiful place I have ever visited.  We went snorkeling, deep sea fishing, went on nature hikes, had picnics on the beach, and napped on hammocks tied between palm trees.”

Her skin is sun-kissed with a beautiful golden glow that stands out in the cold bleak winter.  But I think it’s the happiness that radiates off her that I envy the most.  She looks ... blissful.

Evan joins us, standing behind his blushing bride.  “See, Juliette, I told you the place would still be standing when we returned,” he tells her.

Derek takes his place behind the bar filling the drink orders that never seem to stop arriving.  Jette notices, too.  “Wow, the place is pretty busy for a Wednesday.  Has it been like this the whole time?” she asks.

“Yup,” I tell her.  “We’ve been crazy busy almost every day.”

We sit and chat for the longest time.  I’ve missed my friend and I love hearing about her dream honeymoon. 

Derek and Evan are talking animatedly about sports, as usual.  The Super Bowl is right around the corner and Rush Dessert Bar will be hosting an invitation-only Super Bowl Extravaganza.  The place will be filled with Sentinel football players and a few celebrity friends.  I can’t wait to see whom Evan decides to invite.

For the first time all day, time flies rather than crawls.  My shift is nearly over, and still I haven’t heard a word from Adam.  The total radio silence is killing me.

Jette is yakking on and on about fresh island cuisine she’s been enjoying for the last ten days and wants to make all kinds of changes to the menu.  “And the tropical drinks were to die for!” she exclaims.  “We’re getting fresh coconut milk.  They use it to cook and in their cocktails.  Have you ever had breadfruit?” she asks.  I shake my head.  “Well, I have, and if I can find a supplier, it’s going on the menu.”

I try to fain interest, but it’s hard.  All I can think about is Adam’s job interview.  I’m dying of curiosity.  It’s not like him to be completely incommunicado like this.

Jette stops talking suddenly and redirects my attention towards Evan.  Adam has finally arrived and the two men are shaking hands and exchanging bro-hugs and congratulations. 

Evan is telling him something and Adam is laughing with him.  His loose, carefree smile is amazing.  Adam really is achingly handsome. A few women around the two are staring appreciatively.  I don’t mind at all.  Let them look all they want.  He’s mine and I’m planning on never letting him go.

H
E’S HERE – FINALLY
!  I’ve stressed and worried all day and he just strolls in like it’s no big deal.  No phone call.  No text.  Nothing.

Despite it all, I am glad to see him, so I swallow my pride and go claim my boyfriend.  I walk over, snake my arm around his waist, and press my head against his firm chest.  He wraps his long arm around my shoulders and places a kiss on my temple.

Softly, so no one but me can hear him, he whispers, “We need to talk.”

I nod.  He doesn’t want to talk in front of Evan and the others.

Marcus comes out from the back and welcomes the newlyweds.  “Hey boss.  I thought I heard a commotion out here.  When did you two get in?”  He gives Jette a kiss and a hug followed by the obligatory brug for Evan.

Jette and Marcus slip away so he can update her about the restaurant.  As General Manager, Marcus is doing an awesome job running Rush in Jette’s absence.

Derek comes over to announce the arrival of the second shift and swiftly departs for the night.  He’s got a beautiful girlfriend waiting for him at home and most nights he rushes out of here, anxious to see her.

A few fans monopolize Evan’s attention, leaving Adam and me alone to talk.

I run over to Lindsay, the head waitress, and tell her I’m stealing one of the booths in the back.  She can send Evan and Jette back there to join us when they’re free.  I motion for Adam and we scoot into the booth, far away from prying eyes and eager ears. 

“Adam J. Cooke, you better have a damn good reason for not calling me all day.  I have been bugging out.  Derek and Reese know something’s up.  I gave them a bogus story about you having an appointment with our financial planner, so I need you to back me up.”

Adam takes my hands in his and tells me, “I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.  If you’re on board, I think we have an announcement to make.”

“Holy shit, Adam!  Seriously?  What happened?  Why didn’t you call?”  Now I’m frantic to know more.

“I was with them all day, Emmy.  They loved my ideas.  The GM showed me around all the offices and the training facilities.  I toured the stadium and met a few of the trainers and coaches.”  He bites his lip, his face beaming with delight.  “I couldn’t call you.  I had to tell you in person.  I wanted to see the look on your face when I tell you about their offer.”

Excitement floods every part of me.  “Come on, Sparky.  The suspense is killing me.  What did they offer?”

He laughs a little, shaking his head. “They made me a very generous offer, Emmy.”  He reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a copy of the contract.  “And they want me to start immediately.”

He passes it over to me and I flip through the pages of agreements with a considerable amount small print.  There’s entirely too much information.  I pass it back and look to him for answers.  “Just friggin’ tell me already.  What does it say?”

“It says they want to pay me four hundred thousand dollars, Emmy.  And I get to make all the final decisions about player recruitment and player support.  We won’t have to worry so much about money anymore.”

My mouth drops open again and my eyes water just a little bit.  “Four hundred?” I can hardly speak.

Adam smiles and nods.  “Yup.”

“I’m so proud of you.  I know you’ll do a great job.  But is this what you want?  Are you one hundred percent sure?  Will you be happy there?”

Adam beams with pride.  “I want this, Emmy.  I haven’t wanted anything so badly in a long time.”

I turn the pages of the contract searching for something, but I’m not quite sure what.  When I get to the last page, there it is staring me in the face.  He hasn’t signed it.  It’s blank.  I look up into his deep gray eyes and ask, “Adam?  If you really want this job, why didn’t you sign the contract?”

Furrowing his brow in confusion, he explains.  “Don’t you see?  This is a big decision.  I couldn’t make it without you.  We’re in this together – forever.” 

I smile and kiss him.  “Forever.” 

Leaning his head against mine, he closes his eyes and softly whispers, “I love you.”

“I love you more,” I whisper back.

As I stare at him, amazed and warmed, a tear rolls down my cheek. “You still dazzle me,” I whisper, leaning over to kiss him. We tenderly kiss in that booth for a long time. We probably would have kissed longer, but Evan and Jette arrive, interrupting our private celebration.

“Hey, bro – I didn’t know it was contract time.  Didn’t you get a three-year contract like me?” Evan asks, grabbing the contract off the table.  I was so wrapped up in Adam’s arms, I had completely forgotten about the document just sitting there, out in the open.

Adam tries to grab it from Evan’s grasp, but he’s too quick.  “Mac, wait ... gimme a ... let me ...”