“Cassidy!” A distant voice drew my gaze from the water washing over my crystal bracelets.
I shook my hands as I stood, squinting through the darkness. “Adam?”
“Get out of that water. You’ll get pneumonia.” He tore off his hoodie as he stomped through the sand.
“What areyoudoing here?”
“Josie was feeding Harrison, so I offered to come get you. I’ve been trying to call, but you’re not answering your phone.”
I stared back at my handbag, half buried in the sand and winced. “Sorry…I wasn’t thinking.”
“Clearly.” He handed me his sweatshirt. “Put this on.”
I pulled it over my head until it swamped my body. I hadn’t realized how cold I was until I was surrounded by Adam’s body warmth. “Thanks,” I said, hugging myself.
Adam stared at me for a moment. “Well, that was the shortest date in history.”
“You could say that.”
“Must’ve been bad if you’re cleansing those crystals again.”
I dropped my gaze as my grip tightened around my waist. “Yep.”
“Hey, are you okay?” He edged closer. “Did he hurt you?”
“No…nothing like that.” I exhaled my frustration as I peered up at him. “Can you just take me home?”
With a curt nod, he turned, picked up my handbag and stalked back to the parking lot.
“Nice ride,” I said while brushing the sand off my feet.
Adam waited patiently by an old Rolls Royce before opening the door for me. “It’s Gramps’.”
Perhaps I didn’t give Adam enough credit for his manners. His grandfather wasn’t here to witness his chivalry now.
Once we were on the road, Adam took an unfamiliar turn. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m making a little detour. I’m starving.”
“What about your pizza night?” I hugged my stomach to muffle its rumble.
“Amy called halfway into my first slice, and I prefer my pizza hot.”
I winced. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Adam threw me a glance. “I’m sick of pizza anyway. Plus, I want to try out this new restaurant in town.”
“Well, as long as they do takeout, I’m happy.”
Adam kept his eyes on the road but said nothing.
“Adam…”
“Come on, Cass, you’re all dressed up. I’m not taking you home until you’ve at least had a nice dinner.”
“But I’m covered in sand.”
Adam ran his gaze down my body. “I’ll get a private room, then. You won’t even have to put your shoes back on.”
My head jerked back. “Really?”