Different. A different time, a different life.
What was she doing?
With a gasp, she pushed herself away from him, and he made no effort to stop her. He was probably as unsettled as she was that desire had heated so quickly between them. Not to mention that she’d so willingly fanned those flames.
His expression was grim when she stared up at him. His suddenly hooded eyes concealed his emotions. She suspected her own were written all over her face, and she wished she could be as controlled as he was.
“Okay,” she said after a long pause, hating the quaver in her voice. “So we do remember a few things from before. But that doesn’t change the fact that we don’t know much about each other now.”
His voice was rough when he conceded, “You’re right, of course. And I can understand why you’d be hesitant to bring a near stranger into your son’s life.”
She couldn’t help noting that he’d said “your” son. It sounded as though he still wasn’t certain he would be a part of Simon’s future. And even though she had her doubts about introducing him into Simon’s life, she felt a jolt of regret at his hesitation, proving he had the power to hurt her—and, potentially, their child—if she wasn’t careful.
A buzz from her pocket brought the stressful conversation to an end. “That’s my phone alarm,” she murmured, silencing it. “Simon will be back soon. He’ll expect me to be waiting for him.”
Adam nodded, looking almost relieved. “Unless you’d like me to walk with you, I’ll hang here for a bit. I have a few calls to make before I head back to the office.”
He couldn’t have made it clearer that he needed space. From her.
Joanna didn’t take offense. She needed a few minutes herself to recover from a kiss that had rocked her all the way to her spa-painted toenails. “No, I can find my way. Thanks.”
Without another word, he reached to open the door for her. He wasn’t quite hustling her out...but he wasn’t encouraging her to linger, either.
She stepped past him onto the walkway. Before he could close the door behind her, she was struck by yet another ill-advised impulse. “I’m taking Simon to dinner at The Crew’s Galley tonight,” she blurted before she could stop herself.
Adam seemed startled by the out-of-the-blue statement, but he merely nodded. “He should enjoy that. Food’s good. Tell him to try the blackberry cobbler. Preferably à la mode. He said he likes à la mode.”
“If you, um, if you want to hear about his outing to the maritime museum, you could—”
He interrupted before she could complete the he
sitant invitation. “Trev and I and a couple other members of the staff are having dinner with some travel agents this evening. You know, talking up the place so they’ll recommend us to their clientele.”
“Of course. I hope it goes well. I’ll be seeing you around.” As she turned to head for the stairs, feeling foolish about so many things, she told herself it was a good thing Adam had other plans. She’d just as soon have Simon to herself, anyway.
* * *
ADAM REALLY WASN’T in the mood to schmooze and glad-hand that evening. Still, he owed Trevor too much to skip out when asked for a favor, and Trevor had requested his presence this evening. Of course, that had been before Joanna turned up with their son in tow. Trevor had asked discreetly before the dinner started if Adam had something else he’d rather do, but Adam had insisted he would fulfill his job responsibilities. Still, he was glad when the perfunctory duties were concluded and he and Trevor were alone again in Trevor’s office.
“How about a drink?” Trevor moved toward the small wet bar built into the walnut credenza against one wall. “You look like you could use one.”
Adam rarely drank, but for once he decided to indulge. He wouldn’t say he needed a drink, exactly, but it sounded pretty good at the moment. “Yeah, thanks. Just a small one.”
Trevor took down a bottle of single malt Irish whiskey and splashed an inch into three glasses. Adam was just about to ask who the third glass was for when someone tapped on the door, then entered without waiting for a response.
Adam sighed. “Really, Trev?”
Walter Becker accepted the glass Trevor handed him and lifted it in Adam’s direction. “Good to see you, too, Adam.”
“Why are you here, Walt?”
“I invited him, obviously.” Trevor gave Adam his drink. “Thought you might want to have a chat with him. Your decision. I haven’t said a word about what’s happening. If you’d rather not talk about it, we’ll stick to baseball. Did either of you catch the Phillies and Blue Jays game last night?”
Walt leaned back against the counter as he took a sip of his whiskey, his dark eyes focused on Adam’s face. “If you want to talk, I’m here. As your lawyer or your friend. Whichever you need. And I did watch the game last night, by the way, so we can argue about that idiotic call at the top of the sixth, if you’d rather.”
“Trevor really hasn’t told you the details?” Adam asked.
Trevor looked mildly insulted. “Of course not. This is your business, not mine. Walt and I are just letting you know you’re not alone if you need anything.”