Chapter 22

Evie

Adam and I spend the rest of the morning strategizing and practicing our engagement story. We have to get this right. From what Adam shares, his mother and sister, Steph, are notoriously nosy and love to ask probing questions.

As we're finishing up, Adam's phone rings. He looks down at the caller ID and blanches.

"It's my mom," he says, answering the call. "Hey, Mom . . . yeah, we're just finishing up some stuff . . . what? No, we didn't break up . . . what do you mean? . . . Oh, crap."

I look at Adam, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach.

He hangs up the phone and lets out a deep sigh.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"My mom is making a collage of the family as a surprise gift for Steph and Brad. They want a picture of me and Ronna."

"Okay, how hard can that be?"

"They want a kissing photo."

"Oh." I break eye contact. "Seems odd she didn't mention this to you before."

"Um, she did. I was avoiding it and then sort of forgot."

Uh huh. "Or maybe you suppressed it?"

Adam shrugs. "Yeah, probably."

"When do they need it by?"

He chews the inside of his cheek. "She's at her computer, ready to rush order the collage or it won't arrive on time for the wedding. She needs photos from all the family couples. My folks, grandparents . . . us. Apparently, she's waiting only for ours. Clearly, Mom's putting on the pressure. But honestly, I think this collage is a creative ruse to prove I'm really telling the truth about the engagement. I mean, they never did meet Ronna. Obviously."

I find his rambling adorable.

"Soooo," he goes on. "To answer your question, zero minutes."

I laugh. How hard could it be to kiss Adam? "Okay, fine. In for a pound, right?" I ask, trying to keep it light.

The look on Adam's face is priceless. Like a teenager about to score. "Really?"

Quickly, he steps closer, as if fearful I'll change my mind.

I feel a strange mix of anticipation and qualms. How did I get into this situation? I'm in a stranger's kitchen, about to kiss him, to satisfy his mother!

Correction. A very handsome stranger.

Goosebumps line my arms. "Ready?" he asks.

I can't speak, only nod. He takes my hand and pulls me close. He smells of musky cologne. I look up at him, his blue-gray eyes catching mine. I'm speechless.

He lifts my chin and leans in.

"Adam?" I whisper.

He pauses a millimeter from my lips. "Hmm?"

"The photo?"

The phone is sitting on the counter.

"Right," he says.

If I'm not mistaken there's a mischievous glint in his eye.

He raises the device, taps open the camera app, aiming it at us and turns back to me. "Take two."

And then he kisses me.