So did the fact that Preslee was no longer working out all because of him. She had come so far, and he didn’t want her to let it all go for nothing. Nor did he want her to feel as though she wasn’t worth meeting her goal. She was. God, she was worth so much more than that. Especially to him. But now she would never know that, and he would never have another chance with her.

Served him right.

Kurt must’ve picked up on his train of thought because he said, “I’m sorry, Adam. I feel like it’s my fault that you lost Preslee. I never should’ve dragged you into another one of my bets. If I hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“No,” Adam said, shaking his head. “Preslee was right. I’m a big boy and have to take responsibility for my own actions. You didn’t drag me into anything. I could’ve said no to you, but I didn’t. I went along with the bet willingly. That was my own fault.”

“We’re idiots.”

Adam nodded, agreeing with his friend. “Yeah.”

A comfortable silence settled between them as the front entrance door chimed. Glancing up, Kurt cleared his throat. Loudly. “Um, Adam? I think you might want to take a look at this. You’re not going to believe what I’m seeing.”

Head still hung, Adam continued to lean forward with his elbows on his knees. “What is it?”

Kurt grinned. “It’s Preslee.”

“What about her?”

“No, I mean it’s her. She just walked through the front door.”

Surging upward, Adam lurched to his feet. “What? Where?” Sure enough, Preslee had entered the building and was crossing the room, heading in the direction of the bathrooms. And she looked better than ever. “Shit,” Adam said, running a hand over the scruff on his face. “What do I do?”

“Well, first of all, you get the constipated look off your face. Then you go over and talk to her.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

Adam cringed. “Look at me, man. I look like crap.”

Kurt laughed. “I told you so. But you don’t have a choice. You might not get another chance to talk to her. Now get over there.”

Adam hesitated. “Wish me luck.”

“You know I do,” Kurt said, offering him a fist bump. “Go get your woman back.”

Gazing down at his wrinkled T-shirt, Adam sighed. Get his woman? As bad as he looked right now, he’d be lucky if he could get some spare change. But Kurt was right. It was the first time Adam had seen her since she’d walked out on him, and it might be the only shot he got. He wasn’t going to waste it. If there was the slightest chance that he could get her to hear him out, he had to give it a go.