Adam had been polite and attentive during dinner. He hadn’t mentioned my dad or Mase once, which was a relief. It helped wash that worry away. Old habits die hard, and I was good at putting up walls when I was suspicious of guys using me to get to my dad.
We had watched an action movie because we both liked them. It was nice not to be “on” and worried about conversation for two hours. Then he had taken me home. Nan’s car was gone and so was Mase’s truck. I could invite him in, I guessed. Was that what I was supposed to do?
“I had a good time tonight,” I told him as we walked toward the door.
“Me, too. I’m hoping we can do it again,” he said with sincerity in his voice.
“I’d like that,” I answered honestly. Because it was true. I had been nervous but the date had been easy. It had also given me something to do tonight.
I reached into my purse and pulled out the keys. “Would you like to come in for a drink? I have coffee,” I suggested, not sure if I should be offering something stronger.
Adam grinned. “Yeah, I would. I wasn’t really ready to say good-bye just yet.”
I sighed with relief. I had done the right thing.
I opened the door and held it for him as he walked inside.
“Come on in,” I said.
He let out a low whistle. I glanced around. The place was kind of impressive for a house on a beach. “Nan has expensive taste,” I explained and set my purse down on the table by the entrance. “Kitchen is this way,” I said before walking toward it.
“You adjusting to living with someone you don’t get along with?” he asked.
“Yes and no. It is what it is. We’re working through it but ignoring each other,” I replied. We entered the kitchen. “You want coffee or something else? Nan has a full bar.”
“I need to drive home so coffee is good,” he said.
I kept myself busy making the coffee and let Adam look around the place as he waited. “Is your brother staying here, too?” His question immediately made me tense. I had to remind myself that he was just trying to make small talk. Talking about Mase did not mean he was interested in my dad.
“He’s staying here while he’s visiting.”
“A family gathering,” he said with a smile.
I wouldn’t think about that. I would not. I had to learn to trust people. Just because he was mentioning my family did not mean he was a fan of my father’s. I had to overcome that insecurity.
“Not exactly,” I replied, and pulled two cups down from the cabinet.
I heard the beep that sounded when an entry door or window opened and I froze. If it was Nan this could be bad. Then I heard her voice laughing and a deeper voice. I felt sick to my stomach. Please, God, don’t let that be Grant. Not right now. I can’t deal with that. I wasn’t ready just yet.
Her heels clacked against the marble as she walked down the hallway. They were headed this way.
“Nan,” I explained to him as I poured a cup of coffee.
“Ah,” he said simply.
“Cream and sugar?” I asked.
“Black is good,” he replied.
I handed him the cup as Nan came staggering into the kitchen on the arm of a tall blond guy with a dark tan. He was dressed in a pale pink polo and a pair of plaid shorts. If he weren’t so attractive the outfit would have looked ridiculous on him.
“Well, hello,” he said, smiling at me in a way that made me uncomfortable. Then his gaze moved to Adam and his eyes widened a bit. “Adam, hey,” he said as Nan looked sourly at both of us.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped.
“I live here, and he’s my company,” I replied, stirring the sugar into my coffee and praying she would just go away.
“Pull in the claws, kitty. It’s your sister and Adam. Be nice.”