But Ida wasn’t wrong either. I didn’t know if what I was doing here was the right move or not. I didn’t want to blow up Adele’s life, I just needed to see her. Though, she already knew how I felt, I needed her to confront me like the Ghost of Christmas Past.
I re-folded the paper and set it down on the table. I’d just picked up my coffee when I saw her. Actually, I saw Pixy first. A goat has a way of grabbing your attention when you see it anywhere other than a petting zoo or farm.
Chance, Aubrey, and CJ walked in front of her. Adele followed; arms crossed over her chest like she was cold. Her hair was longer, down around her shoulders. Dressed in jeans and a plain white t-shirt, she looked comfortable, casual, and fucking sexy as hell. Living with her those two weeks I’d mostly seen her in work clothes – conservative dresses and skirts that looked too old for her – too stuffy and prim like she was playing dress up.
I’d come to love her yoga pants and tanks because I hadn’t felt like she hid behind them, but seeing her like this made me feel like I’d missed out, like I hadn’t been privy to every version of her.
I didn’t care which version I got – I wanted them all or whichever she’d give me. I just wanted her, but I was insanely jealous that I hadn’t seen this one before.
A cab pulled up at the curb and they all took turns hugging Adele before getting inside. When it was just her left on the sidewalk, I finally got to really see her. The smile on her face was genuine as she held her hand up to wave as the cab pulled away.
She turned to go back inside, and my gut twisted with my answer. She was happy here.
Flo’s voice woke me some time later. “Morning, handsome.”
I pulled my head from the table and groaned at my stiff muscles.
“I’m about to head out. My shift is over. Can I get you anything else?”
“What time is it?”
“Almost six.”
“A.M.?” God, no wonder I felt like hell.
Flo shrugged. “We don’t normally let people sleep in here, but it was a slow night and Reggie, the manager, wasn’t here. Don’t get any ideas, though. You’re cute, but I’m not risking my job for another pretty face.”
“Don’t worry, I’m leaving today.”
Flo’s brows lifted in surprise, but she just nodded.
I’d already paid my bill last night, but I grabbed my wallet and pulled out some more cash and dropped it on the table before standing. I needed to grab my stuff from the hotel and see if I could get a flight back. I shivered outside. I was ready to get back to California.
“Hey, handsome, wait up.”
Flo came out the door of the diner with a to-go cup. She handed it to me with a smile. The red lipstick had been wiped off and she was in regular clothes now instead of her uniform getup. Well regular-ish. A plaid schoolgirl skirt with black tights and boots with a long button-down shirt that looked big and bulky enough to belong to a man.
“For the road.” She winked and took off down the street. I was going in the opposite direction so I watched her a moment to make sure she was okay, but the way she strutted down the street I had no doubt if anyone messed with her they’d be the one that was sorry.
I took a sip of the hot coffee and turned to head to my hotel, but a woman stood right in front of me. Jaw slack and eyes wide.
“It is you,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Adele.”
We stared at one another like neither of us could believe the other was real.
She was the first to break the silence. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” I told her honestly.
She narrowed her gaze. “You came here to see me? Without calling or emailing? How did you know where to find me?”
“Look can we go somewhere and talk?”
“No.” She didn’t move. She crossed her arms over her chest. She had on a beige jacket over a black skirt and white lacy blouse. Hair pulled up into a bun and sensible shoes – she was like a kindergarten teacher again. “I have to go to work.”
“Alright. Lead the way. I’ll talk.”
Hesitantly, she took a step and then another.
“How’ve you been?”
She didn’t answer.
“Were you surprised when Chance showed up?” I chuckled nervously. “I can’t believe they drove across the country with that damn goat.”
Adele halted abruptly. “Just stop and tell me why you’re here. Did Chance tell you that Richard and I broke up? Is that what this is? Because just because I’m single, doesn’t mean you can swoop in and—”
“You and Richard broke up?” I wanted to drop to my knees and kiss the ground in thanks or maybe just drop her to the ground and kiss her instead. I hadn’t thought to look at her left hand, but I did now and found it gloriously ring free.
“You didn’t know?” She narrowed her eyes and watched my face carefully as I answered.
“No, I swear it.”
Some of the rigidness she carried softened. “Finn, what are you doing here?”
“I had to see you. I needed to know if you were okay.”
“I’m just fine. Contrary to what everyone thinks, I can take care of myself. I don’t need Richard or Chance and I definitely don’t need you.”
Ouch.
“I didn’t mean that you weren’t capable on your own. It’s just since you left, there’s this emptiness inside and I needed to see you in person to know if you felt it too. I swear sometimes it’s like I dreamed the whole thing.”
“What thing?”
“Me and you.”
“There was no me and you.”
“But there was. There so was. It was in every smile, every annoyed glare. The small moments. Making dinner, watching TV… maybe I really did imagine it. If I did, then I’ll walk away and accept that it was all me, but I don’t think it was, Adele.”
I’d been blabbering on and hadn’t realized we’d stopped in front of her building. “Can I see you later?”
“I have plans. My brother is only in town for another day or two and I want to spend some time with them.”
“What about after they go back to their hotel tonight? CJ’s gotta go to bed early, right?”
Her mouth pulled into a tight line.
“Don’t answer now. Just promise me you’ll think about it. I’ll be at the diner across the street if you can make it.”
She nodded.
I hoped she’d come tonight, but if not, this would be my last chance. I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’ve missed you.”
She lingered only a second before pulling away. “I have to get to work.” A hint of sadness tugged at her voice. “Bye Finn.”
Finn
Flo took a seat opposite me in the booth. “Wow, you clean up nice. I’m gonna need a new nickname for you because Handsome isn’t cutting it.”
“You could just call me by my name, it’s—”
“Finn McCash. I know. I saw it on your credit card last night. I looked you up. Not an international spy.”
“Told you.”
“Tell me, what is a California soccer star doing in New York?”