Adam
The last place on earthI wanted to be was Saul Goodman’s home. But there was not a chance on that same earth I’d let Adelaide go alone. She’d never have to face him alone again.
She’d been twitchy all morning. Nervous. A little sad since it was her mom’s birthday. But that was why we were here, knocking on his door. She had her shoulders set and her chin high. She was determined. It sucked that she had to put that front on with her dad, but I understood it down to my marrow.
It was absolutely wild to me that my good girl and I were at the same place with our parents—barely hanging on because of the choices we’d made with our lives. If Saul had ended up with a son like me, he’d have lost his mind, and my parents would most likely kill for a daughter like Adelaide. I already knew they were going to like her more than me when I introduced her to them. I was pretty much fine being the least likable half of our pair.
Saul whipped the door open, his hangdog face set in a scowl. “Since when do you knock?” he gruffed, moving aside to usher us in.
“Since the last time I came here and saw things a daughter should never see.”
Oh shit, Adelaide was bringing out the big guns already. I really hoped my laugh was muffled in her curls.
A rumble from Saul’s chest told me maybe it wasn’t. “Wainwright.”
I tipped my chin at him. “Saul. Lovely home you have.”
“Mmm, hard to believe my only daughter went from this to slumming it in Astoria.”
Adelaide set the pastry box she’d brought down on the stark-white marble bar counter that divided the kitchen from the dining area, which led into a living area.
“Actually, I don’t live in Astoria anymore, but I hardly think it qualifies as a slum,” Adelaide told him.
He swiveled to face her, his stretched collar cutting into his hanging jowls. “Where the hell are you living then?”
I gave him a wave, drawing his attention away from Adelaide. “With me, where she belongs. We’re getting married, after all.”
My chest puffed up every time I said that—and I said it a hell of a lot. To people in the elevator of our building, delivery guys, drivers, strangers who inadvertently made eye contact. I’d have to cut it out soon, but I was too proud not to brag about a job well done.
His brow dropped. “Isn’t it too soon to move in together?”
Adelaide sighed. “We’ve known each other for over a year and have been in love for most of that time. So no, nothing about our relationship is too soon. If you’d like to know more about us as a couple instead of passing judgment based strictly on conjecture, I’d be happy to share with you. But honestly, I’d like today to be about Mom instead of the rift between us.”
“There is no rift,” Saul proclaimed. “A disagreement, yes, but no rift.”
If it made it easier for him to sleep at night, he could believe that.
“Okay, Dad.”
Adelaide went into the kitchen to check out the brunch spread. Saul followed close behind. I noted his wringing hands and considered he might have actually been genuinely concerned about his relationship with his daughter. I stayed in the kitchen entry, letting them have a modicum of privacy while keeping an eye on his treatment of her.
A tap on my shoulder had me whirling around. Before I could process the woman standing before me, she launched herself at me, tugging my head down to plant her lips on my cheek.
“Surprise!” Natalie giggled. “It’s so good to see you, Adam. Welcome to my home.”
Gripping her shoulders, I set her away from me. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Her red lips pushed into a pout. “I know, but plans changed. Daddy said we could have some family bonding time. Can you believe you and I will be part of the same family now? Bonded for life!”
Daddy? Fucking gross.
“What the hell?”
Dropping my grip on Natalie, I spun back around to find Adelaide frozen, potholders on her hands. Saul was beside her, wringing his hands even harder. That was when it hit me. He hadn’t been concerned about his relationship with his daughter but over her reaction to Natalie being here when she was supposed to be absent.
He placed a hand on her back. “A pipe burst in Natalie’s parents’ house, so she couldn’t visit this weekend. We’ll all have a nice time together.”
“Will we?” I asked.