Page 84 of Saving Soul

I chuckled at her description. “I know what you mean.”

“You see it, too?”

“All the time. One minute he’s the fucking devil, and the next…” I froze, unable to express my feelings without revealing too much.

“You can’t think of anyone else?” Josie tilted her head, trying to see truth in my eyes. “I know how that feels.”

“I…” Fear stole my words.

“It’s okay, Cass.” Josie’s understanding filtered through her energy.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Not to the untrained eye.”

My shoulders plummeted. “It’s so stupid, I know.”

“It’s not stupid…and it’s definitely not one-sided.”

“Are you sure about that? He slept with someone else less than a week ago.”

Josie withdrew her glass from her mouth. “He told you that?”

“Well, no…but I can safely assume.”

“I don’t think you can safely assume anything with Adam.”

I shook my head. “Regardless, I’m nothing more than a convenient distraction while he’s here. If anything, I’m making this entire situation worse. Liam wants me to guide Adam through this grief, and I can’t…” I closed my eyes. “I can’t be that person for him.”

“Then be someone else.” Josie moved to my side and took my hand. “Stop resisting your heart, and see where it goes. I’m not promising he won’t fuck it all up, but I know it’s worth the risk.”

“Josie…”

“If it doesn’t work out, you’ll never have to see him again. You’ve been through worse things than a broken heart.”

“But what about Finn?”

“If he genuinely cares about you, he’ll care about him, too.”

“Adam doesn’t want kids…you said so yourself.”

“If that’s true, then you’ll know to walk away.”

As I sculled the last of my wine, a cluster of scenarios crashed through my mind like dodgem cars.

“And I really don’t think he slept with Staci. Adam doesn’t repeat mistakes.”

I groaned inwardly. “So, they have history?”

“Barely,” Josie scoffed out. “One drunken night in college, apparently. He only went out with her to appease his mother.” Josie welcomed another mouthful of wine. “Caroline and William are relentless when it comes to their sons’ love lives.”

“Another reason to steer clear.”

“I hear ya.” Josie tittered. “But don’t let them deter you. Adam’s not a pushover…and he rarely does anything he doesn’t want to.”

“Like accepting his grandfather’s diagnosis?”

Josie chest deflated. “Exactly.”