“Yeah,” I say, walking into the kitchen, bare feet on the cold floor. My legs feel so naked. I’m worried he doesn’t want me, that I’m doing something wrong and that’s why he didn’t come back to bed, why he doesn’t want me to touch him. I’m worried it means I won’t be welcome for long, that maybe I’m not even welcome now, but then he brushes my hair out of my face and says, “God, you’re gorgeous.” He gives me the kind of kiss that makes me grab the counter to steady myself because I’m not sure which end is up.

Adam holds my good hand while we walk to the coffee shop together. And we’re clean and smell like peppermint soap, and I’m wearing one of his sweaters with the sleeves rolled up, because we’re going to wash all my clothes in the laundry room in the basement of his building tonight and fold them while we watch Seinfeld and order calzones from the place down the street, and I know it’s stupid, but it means everything to me to have plans further ahead than the next twenty minutes.

When we get to The Commons, Adam drops my hand and says, “Here. Take my key again.” He’s blushing. “You know, in case you need to stop in at your lunch break, or you go home before I do.”

I know he’s saying home like it’s nothing, just the place he lives, so I try not to be that girl, the kind who takes the most stupid little word and lets it turn her inside out.

“Thanks,” I say quickly.

He brushes his lips against my cheek. “I’ll let you go in first, so they don’t think we’re together.”

My blood stops short in my veins. I’m sure I don’t look like I’m playing it cool this time, because he kisses me on the mouth and says, “Just so it’s easier on you at work. And so I can watch you walk away.”

— Chapter 18 —

“Pilgrim! How goes it?” Bodie says in his lazy lilt when I walk in. He’s taking orders up front, and the line is almost out the door. He has a pencil behind his ear and chews on a red coffee stirrer like it’s a piece of hay. “Do you know how to total when there’s more than one item?” he asks, while I duck under the counter.

I reach from behind him and hit the add button. “Now put the next one in,” I say.

“Thanks, P.” Bodie gives me that great big grin that makes his eyes all but disappear. “Carly called. She’ll be in late. Problem with the espresso delivery.”