“But what about this one?” He pointed to a beautiful portrait of a child holding a newborn baby. “It has the same signature as the others.”
“You’re right.” Adam frowned at the scrawled initials in the corner. “Perhaps she dabbled in portraits, too.”
Finn pointed to the older child. “He kinda looks like you.”
Adam stepped closer. “Huh…I never noticed…”
“Perhaps we should head downstairs.” I knew exactly who we were looking at. “Finn is dying to see the indoor pool.”
With one last glance at the painting, Adam directed us back to the grand staircase and down to the ground floor. Ignoring all the rooms I’d shown Finn the day prior, Adam went straight to the good stuff; the indoor theater, the gym, the billiard room, and numerous other areas I’d never ventured to for fear of getting lost.
“Wait until you see the ballroom,” Adam said as Finn gaped over the indoor pool.
“There’s a ballroom?!” Finn and I said in unison.
Adam frowned at me. “You’ve been here three months and you’ve never wondered what’s behind those doors?” He pointed to the lavish double doors at the end of the corridor.
“It’s not in my best interest to snoop around.”
Adam sighed as he grasped the door handles. “You are both welcome here.”
My jaw dropped as he pulled open the doors to reveal an enormous room adorned with crystal chandeliers, velvet draped walls, and polished parquetry floors. Piles of chairs and tables were stacked in the corner, along with candelabras covered in white sheets.
Adam’s steps echoed as he entered the vast space. “My grandparents had their wedding reception here.”
“Liam and Betty? Oh, wow,” I gushed. “What on earth do you use this room for now?”
“Well…one summer, when my brother and I were teenagers, we converted it into our own type of ballroom.” Adam wandered over to the far wall and lifted a bundle of dusty sheets off two old basketballs. He picked one up and tossed it from hand to hand.
Finn’s smile grew large. “Awesome!”
“That’s not all.” Adam pulled one of the drapes aside to uncover a basketball hoop attached to the wall behind it.
Finn bounced up and down on his toes. “That is so cool!” He held out his hands. “Pass!”
Adam tossed the ball his way and picked up the other while Finn proceeded to dribble twice and shoot.
As it swished through the hoop, Adam’s eyes widened. “Your mom never mentioned you played.”
“I don’t.” Finn ran to collect the ball, then did a layup.
“You should.”
Finn’s gaze flickered my way before shrugging. “It doesn’t matter.”
Guilt tore through me. “He had to pick. We couldn’t afford to do both swimmingandbasketball. So, he chose swimming.”
A small line materialized between Adam’s eyebrows as he bounced his ball. “Well, you must be a kickass swimmer if basketball was your second preference.”
“I’m alright.” Blush filled his freckled cheeks.
“Alright?” I scoffed before turning to Adam. “Finn made the state finals.”
A spark flickered through Adam’s aura. “Are you kidding? That’s amazing! When’s the big race?”
“February 12th.”
Adam crossed his arms, clearly impressed. “I’ll have to come watch.”