“Wait! What about—?” But Adam had hung up. If it isn’t Vera with him, who is it? Robbie shrugged and went back to what was becoming a large, loud party.

It wasn’t until Sunday afternoon that Kelly and Adam actually talked seriously. They were lying in bed, side by side.

“What happens now?” she asked.

“I thought we answered that question, but if you need a reminder, I’m happy to oblige.” He rolled toward her.

Kelly put her hand up. “I mean, will you and Vera get back together?” He moved to his back and said nothing. “I understand. I was just rebound sex. It’s always been you and Vera.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “Vera and I are done. And you and I are...” He waved his hand as though it didn’t matter. “I have something to tell you. Remember that double date from hell?”

“The one where you were angry at Miguel?”

“The one where the bastard kept touching you. What were you thinking wearing a dress like that? He was all over you.”

“All that stuff about Miguel being able to afford a house was about me?”

“Yes,” Adam said. “It was.”

“Oh.”

“But anyway, remember when you and I were in the back and I was begging you not to be angry at me and you were telling me to go rot?”

“That’s not how I remember it, but I do know what you’re talking about.”

“The man who stopped us is the head coach at KU. He offered me a full-time coaching job. It starts in the fall.”

“But you’re going to Africa and...” Kelly trailed off. A vision of Vera and Miguel naked came to her. “Have your plans changed?” she whispered.

“I didn’t realize it, but they changed as soon as I saw Robbie. He needs a home. He needs supervision.”

“Of course he does.”

He turned to look at her. “Kelly, I know this is sudden and maybe I’m too quick in asking, but you and I... I mean, maybe we could become an ‘us.’ You know, dating, that sort of thing. Take your time thinking about it but—”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely, positively, completely sure.”

He smiled. “Maybe with time you’ll get over your doubts and—”

“Do shut up,” she said as she kissed him.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

One month later

Kelly was clipping the wings of a sun conure parrot. The poor thing had flown at a window and nearly broken its beak. If it had escaped, it would have died on the first cold Kansas day.

She clipped carefully. Too long and it was useless, too short and the wings would bleed and maybe not heal. The owners, a mother and daughter, were watching her with a nerve-racking intensity. The bird was a much-loved pet.