Page 53 of The Love Hoax

“Aww, sounds like you’ll miss me. How sweet. Yes, I need to get back to Colorado to help with last minute things. “You,” she points at me, “were one of those last minute things on my very lengthy list. I was directed to set my own eyes on you. Now I can cross that one off.”

Adam says, “I sent you the kissing photo you asked for. Why wasn’t that enough?”

“It was for me,” Anna says, offering an apologetic look. “Steph, however, was of the ridiculous belief that you paid a stranger to be in the photo with you.”

I see Adam fighting to keep his face in check. He’s going for offended and I admit he’s doing a fine job.

But sheesh. Steph sounds like a drill sergeant.

Adam steps away, returning with his mother's purse. “Okay, Mom,” he says, kissing her on the cheek. “Thanks for the surprise drop-in. I guess we’ll see you in a couple of days.”

Anna winks at me. “Subtle, isn’t he?”

I hug Anna who seems touched by the gesture. She’s an unusual woman, to say the least. If she’s the family matriarch, the rest of the crew will be an interesting bunch.

Adam closes the door behind his mother, turning to me. “We should leave soon as well.”

Surprised, I ask, “Why?”

I won’t admit it, but I’m excited for another day with him in this magnificent and secluded setting, alone.

I remind my slow-to-wake brain that he's no more than a friend.

At best, an acquaintance.

No, heisa friend.

Not my fiancé.

I blink away the thoughts. If I'm not vigilant, our carefully-crafted pretense will start feeling all too real.

Or maybe that ship has already left the dock.

I ask, “Does Steph need your help as well?”

Adam shakes his head. “No. And anyway, I wouldn’t risk my life showing up early and stepping into the line of fire. But we should leave fairly soon because we’re driving.”

“We are?”

If my geography is correct, we would need to drive clear across Nevada, Utah, and half of Colorado, all huge states. “Isn’t Breckenridge really far from here? Wouldn’t flying make more sense?”

Adam breaks eye contact. “I prefer driving. It’ll be fun.”

“How long are we talking?”

“It should take about seventeen hours if we don’t stop.”

“Seventeen hours?”

“Driving saves on emissions.”

I hadn’t picked up on Adam's conservation vibes but Californians lead the way with that. “I don’t see how we can drive that far and not stop.”

Or be in the same car for so long together. Platonically.

“You’re right. We'll find a place to stay overnight and break up the drive over two days. We should arrive with hours to spare before the rehearsal dinner. No problem.”

Adam turns away and walks into the living room.