Page 60 of As the Years Pass

Going on a trip with Adam, back to California, with only us…

My heart is thrilled.

My brain is worried.

I guess if things don’t go great, I can fake being sick and hide out in my room for whatever time is left. Or come up with an excuse about the bar and Pete needing me. There are options, at least.

But what may be more scary, is the other side of that.

What if things go so well? What if my time with him in California is so amazing that I don’t want to come back? Of course I know we’ll have to, but how will I rid myself of those feelings? How will I ever accept that he only wants to be friends with me?

What ifmorehappens, and then I get that awkward morning after?

I shouldn’t think about any of this. I shouldn’t worry about it.

When coming to Seattle, I was so confident about what I wanted, and I’m not sure what changed. I mean, I still know exactly what I want, but being around Adam again, it’s made me feel different. Worried, I guess. It’s making me take things slow, and maybe that isn’t a bad thing, but maybe it is. What if I never get the courage to take the next step because I’m afraid of ruining what he’s willing to give me?

I scrub a hand down my face, my phone pinging with a text.

Adam

Did you leave yet?

He offered to pick me up, but I told him I had a few things to do before heading out, and I didn’t want to risk him being late. Of course, he then said if I let him pick me up, neither of us would be late. I couldn’t really argue with that, but assured him I would be fine.

If I don’t leave within the next ten minutes, I very well could miss the flight.

So before answering his text, I order a car and shut down my laptop that I’ll leave here. My duffel bag is packed and sitting bymy desk, ready to go. Once I’m in the car and on my way to the airport, I respond to Adam.

Yep. See you soon.

It’s not a lie now. I am on my way.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Adam

“No, there is a mistake,” I tell the hotel staff adamantly.

“I’m sorry, sir, but there is only one room booked.”

“I am certain I booked two rooms,” I say firmly.

I didn’t screw this up. I booked two rooms. One for me and one for Emmet. I specifically remember changing it to two rooms.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Emmet says, putting his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll get another room.”

“Though that seems like the simplest solution here,” the staff begins, typing something on the computer before looking up at us. “We are booked solid.”

Booked solid.

I grit my teeth and open my mouth, my temper threatening to come out.

“It’s okay,” Emmet says, stepping up to the counter and taking charge. “One room is fine. I assume there is a couch or something?”

“There is, yes. It’s small, but uh…” She looks him up and down. “You may fit.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he says calmly, as if this isn’t a big deal. “Just get us the key and whatever he needs to sign.”