Yes I want this. I don’t know for sure where it’s going to lead, but it feels damn good right now.

I walk away, letting them read in peace. In another ten minutes, Adam walks out of Hailey’s room, shaking his head and smiling wide.

“She’s knocked out,” he says and sits next to me on the couch, pulling me to him. He nudges my face up so he can kiss me, long and deep.

“For someone who claims to be a confirmed bachelor, you’re sure good with my kid.”

He wants honesty? I’ll give it to him. But rather than floundering, he just kisses my forehead and tucks me next to him.

“I told you before, sugar, you and your kid don’t scare me. That surprises me,” he says, offering honesty of his own. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

For how long? I don’t have the guts to ask him that question, and instead I make a vow to enjoy him, to enjoy this, for as long as it lasts.

Chapter Seven

~Adam~

The next afternoon, I’m stocking bottled beer behind the bar, lost in thought. At this time of day, business is slow, so my mind wanders.

And lately, it’s been wandering to a certain beautiful brunette.

“Why are you so chipper?”

My head whirls around at Callie’s voice. “I’m not chipper.”

“You’re whistling,” she says with a laugh and grabs a wet rag to wipe down the already clean bar. “You’re happy about something.”

“Why shouldn’t I be happy?” I counter and toss the empty crate to the side of the bar. “We have a great business and it’s a beautiful day.”

“And you’ve been spending a lot of time with a certain woman,” she says and raises a brow in my direction.

“Truth,” I reply and smile.

“She’s pretty,” Callie says thoughtfully. “And you said she has a child?”

“Yes, Hailey. She’s five.”

“How long has Sarah been divorced?”

I frown. “She’s not. She’s widowed.”

“Oh.” Callie frowns and looks down at the bar and then back at me. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah. He was a cop, killed in the line of duty.”

“That’s horrible.” She leans on the bar and crosses her arms over her chest, watching me.

It’s not that I’ve been keeping Sarah and Hailey a secret. Not at all. I’ve been consumed by them. When I’m not here, I’m with them, and Callie has been in Nashville with her husband, Declan, while he produced a new album for a country singer.

I glance up to find her still staring at me.

“What?” I demand.

“You probably don’t want to hear this.”

“That’s never stopped you before,” I reply. “What’s on your mind?”

“You’d better not hurt her,” Callie says sternly. “Seriously, Adam, she’s…fragile.”

“Bullshit.” I pace away, then turn back and brace my hands on my hips. “She’s not weak, Callie. She’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”

“I’m not saying she’s weak,” she says, shaking her head. “But she has to be in a vulnerable place, Adam. She lost her husband violently and she has a young child to care for. Look at how lost and vulnerable my dad was after my mom died. I lost him completely.”

“This isn’t the same,” I insist. “Callie, she’s bright and full of life. She’s so fucking strong. She’s honest about her husband and what happened. She doesn’t hide it. She’s exactly the opposite of your dad. Besides, why are you sticking up for her? You don’t even know her.”

“I don’t have to know her to know that she’s special to have you all twisted into knots. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her, and you never do that. You haven’t even looked at another woman since you met her.”

“I like her.” I shrug. “She’s great.”

“And she has a kid,” she reminds me again.

“I like Hailey too.”

She pauses and watches me closely. “You’re pretty invested in this.”

“Yes. Sarah’s great, and she has an amazing little girl.”

“So what happens when you lose interest?” she asks, making me frown. “Because I know you, Adam Spencer, and you will lose interest. You always do. In the meantime, this strong, bright woman and her amazing child are falling in love with you. So I’m warning you, right now, do not hurt them.”

“Who the fuck says I’m going to lose interest?” I lean on the bar, pissed now. I don’t even want to think about the love comment. Not yet. “I’m not a monster, Callie.”

“Not at all,” she agrees coolly. “But you are you. And you play the field, at your own admission. You like variety. So just be careful with them and their feelings. If you decide that you want to commit to them, great. But if that’s not your plan, you need to seriously consider stepping back.”

“You’re wrong.” Except she isn’t wrong. She’s right. That has been my philosophy my whole adult life. Variety is the spice of life, and I’ve been unapologetic about it.

But I can’t imagine leaving Sarah and Hailey at this point. Jesus, I crave time with them.

“Just keep it in your mind,” Callie replies. “But, for the record? I already like what she’s done for you. You’ve always been a happy man, but it’s different now. You seem…lighter. And you rarely whistle.”