Beginnings (22 page)

My mom didn't acknowledge me when we arrived. Alyssa flew out of her chair to greet me and I gave her a big bear hug. I nodded at my brother and he did the same.

My mom couldn't stop herself from being a good hostess and poured us some tea while we both sat down.

“Mom, I've come to apologize. You raised me better than to be rude to my family, especially my grandparents,” she was still refusing to look at me. “A friend needed me last night. I should have stopped to explain, but my worry was clouding my judgment.”

“So explain now,” she said coldly.

“I did. You know I would never behave like that if there wasn't a good reason.”

“Fine. Are you staying for lunch?” She was still icy towards me, but I knew the matter was forgiven.

I had no choice but to say yes. I needed her happy with me before I continued with the real reason for coming over. We all made small talk until lunch was ready. I spoke up when my mom's mood appeared to be lifted, which didn't happen until lunch was over and we had started heading into the parlor. My father and Asher were about to go back to his study to talk business, or whatever it was they did.

“Wait, please. Sit for a minute,” the seriousness in my voice made them all sit down. I decided to jump right in and get to the point.

“I don't plan on going to work for Kenward Enterprises after I graduate.”

“Oh, really?” My mother asked, her expression unreadable, “And what do you plan on doing?”

“I'm not sure. I also plan on changing my major to English Literature,” I sat as confidently as I could; the moment I showed any self-doubt I was done for.

“What do you plan on doing with that?” My father asked, clearly revolted by the idea.

“I'm still figuring that out. All I know is it feels right.”

“I'm not sure what you want me to say Adam,” my mother had uncrossed her ankles and sat up straighter – not a good sign. “Are you going through a rebellious stage? You bypassed all that, and it's all coming out now?”

“No, it's has nothing to do with that. I've always wanted to study literature more in depth. College seems like a good place for it.”

“Do it on your free time, don't go wasting a college education on it!” My father was getting angry, “I didn't pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past four years for you to throw it away on a pointless degree!”
He would see it that way
.

I wasn't backing down. This was what I wanted, what I'd pictured myself doing if I went to college.

“I didn't come here to argue. I'm not changing my mind. I'm here out of respect. I know all of you have made sacrifices for me and I'm beyond thankful, but that doesn't mean my life is yours to map out. I don't expect you to understand or accept what I'm telling you. I just thought you should know.”

“I'm not paying for you to mess around,” my father spat out, still angry.

“That's fine,” and it was. I would figure out how to pay for it on my own.

“Dad, look at how far Adam has come.” We were all surprised when Asher spoke up. He always kept personal opinions to himself. “We never thought his brain would absorb all that it has. Adam will be successful no matter what he does. Give him a chance to prove himself. He's only just begun to live his life, who knows what he's capable of.”

My father took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, “I still expect you to graduate with honors.”

“Of course.” I had every intention to.

My mother stood up, “Lets talk more another day. Really think about this Adam. Think about if this is the kind of life you want for yourself.”
You mean the kind of life you want for me.

“I will.”

My mind was made up, as they would soon realize it. I said my goodbyes and headed back to the House, hoping to get a nap in before tonight; I was exhausted. Eventually I would let them know I was with Annie, but I figured one thing at a time.

As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. Luckily, I had planned ahead and set my alarm to go off at five. I showered and got dressed for my evening with Annie.

My body remained calm until I had arrived at her apartment. I was taking Annie out to dinner, our first date. It felt incredible.

I rang the doorbell and Jeremy answered. He opened the door wider for me to come in.

“Don't break her heart.” His arms were crossed and he was glaring at me, “You better be serious about this date.”

“If she wants me, I'm hers,” I responded, matching his seriousness. I never thought I would be glad Annie had Jeremy in her life. He looked after her when I couldn't, and for that I would always respect him.

We both heard her coming down the hall so we turned. My jaw dropped. She looked beautiful, stunning, my mind stopped working. She walked right up to me.

“Hi,” her voice was heaven. I had never seen anyone more gorgeous in my life.
How am I going to avoid touching her tonight?

“You look...wow,” I ran a hand through my hair. I understood her feeling shy around me. I didn't know what to do with this goddess standing in front of me. I knew I was staring, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.

Jeremy leaned over and whispered something in her ear that seemed to please her.

“Shall we?” She asked.

I barely remembered to nod. She started for the door and I gave a slight wave to Haley, before following her out. I stopped in my tracks when I saw the back of her dress, or lack there of.

“Holy shit,” the words just fell out of my mouth. Sexy didn't even begin to describe the back of that dress on her. Movement was impossible; the only thing I could do was watch as she made her way down the stairs. I shook my head to clear it.

What are you trying to do to me Annie?

I rushed to catch up with her.

“Are you trying to kill me?” I asked while opening the car door for her.

“I just wanted you to want me.”

I blocked her against the car with my arms.

“Trust me, that has never been the problem.” Even when I didn't know who she was I wanted her. Our faces were so close, the pull to kiss her was taking over. She slid down into her seat. I let out a sigh of relief and shut the door. I needed to gain some control or I'd never make it through dinner.

Why was I so intent on having dinner with her first?
Because you're scared.
And I was, which baffled me.
It's Annie
.

I started the car, “I'm dying for a steak. You cool with that?”

“I love steak.”

“I know.”  I gave her a full blown smile. Now that there was some distance, and I could no longer see the back of her dress, my excitement was returning. This was going to be fun.

Annie started fidgeting. Something was bothering her, “I'm not sure how to say this, so I'm just going to let it out.” She looked down at her hands, and it pained me to see how hesitant she was to talk to me, “I won't be the other woman. When you asked me out this morning I was too stunned to really think, but after tonight no more dates until you no longer have a girlfriend, and I definitely won't be kissing you until then.”

I fell more in love with her for saying that.

“I broke up with her after I left your place this morning. That was one of the things I needed to take care of today.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Before I knew what was happening I felt her lips on my cheek. The simple contact set my body on fire. I lost control of the car and almost swerved off the road.

“Sorry.”

Every nerve in my body was alive and tingling. I found my palms rubbing the steering wheel, trying to calm myself, “It's okay, you just took me by surprise.”

Her lips were seared into my skin. If just a peck on the cheek aroused such emotion, I was done for if we kissed. Every part of me screamed to touch her, to feel her lips on mine. Her lips were softer than I'd expected. Was it possible for lips to feel innocent? That's what her lips felt like; innocence.

“You have really soft lips.”

She put her fingers to her lips and gave a shy smile.

The steakhouse was perfect. The exact romantic atmosphere I was hoping for. The hostess showed us to a table by the fireplace. Without Annie noticing, I tipped her for finding us the perfect spot.

“I've never been here. It's so nice,” her eyes went around the room, absorbing everything.

“I wanted our first date to be special.”

Before I had a chance to glance at the menu the waiter came over and explained the specials. As soon as I heard him talk about this being the last weekend they offered their fifty-two day aged steak, I knew that was what Annie and I had to get. I ordered us the first appetizer I saw on the menu, some kind of crab dish. Crab made me think of the countless times Annie and I had talked about spending lobster season in Maine and Canada, doing nothing but eating lobster all day. I was wealthy now, we could do everything we'd always dreamed about. I could give Annie the world. That alone made my heart fly of with elation.

“I already know what our second date will be,” I was restless with excitement.

“You think there will be more than one?” She was trying to hide her joy with satire, but I knew her too well to fall for that.

I gave her a smile I felt from the tips of my toes, “There will be thousands.”

She regarded me with fascination. I was different and she could tell, but I wasn't sure how much.

“Do you know what steak you want?” I asked her.

“Not yet.”

“I want to order us the special. Did that sound good to you?” My mouth was watering just thinking about it.

Her face dropped, “The fifty-two dry aged one?”

“Yeah.”

“No, that's okay.” Her response surprised me.

“Why not? I bet it's the best steak we will ever have.”

“Didn't sound that appealing to me.”

“Why are you really saying no?” Her eyes always gave her away.

Her hands were fidgeting. She was uncomfortable and didn't want to admit why. “I only brought so much cash with me.”

“You think I'm going to let you pay for your steak? I asked you out.” I'd thought it was evident I was paying.

“It's not nineteen-fifty, we are equals. I can buy my own dinner.”

“I wanted to buy you dinner,” I was devastated. I could tell her mind was made up, but I still had to try, “Please, I don't think you realize how much this means to me that I'm able to take you out for dinner. I can't let you say no.”

She paused for a moment contemplating as her hand twisting got worse.
Please, Annie, let me buy you dinner.

“Okay,” she smiled warmly back at me. I didn't want to do a victory dance until I was sure.

“Okay? As in I-can-buy-you-dinner-and-a-totally-awesome-steak, okay?” I raised both eyebrows in anticipation of her response.

“Yup,” she replied with certainty, which made me happier than she would ever realize.

“Good. For a minute there I wasn’t sure if you'd let me. You can be the most stubborn person.”

“You have no idea,” she teased, and I had a hard time not laughing.

I winked back at her, “I'm pretty sure I do.”

The waiter appeared with the appetizer and I gave him our dinner requests. I took a bite and my taste buds exploded. It had to be the best thing I had ever eaten. I slumped back in my chair in ecstasy and I heard Annie giggle.
That has to be one of the best sounds in the entire world
.

“I don't know what was more amazing,” I started to tell her, sitting back up. “Seeing you in that dress, or that bite. Both blew my mind.”

I took another bite, which was even better than the first. Annie was staring back at me with stars in her eyes and a happy grin on her face.
Man, I love her
.

“I'm getting some of this to bring home for tonight. Wow!” My mouth was full when I spoke but it was too good.

The steak came and it was better than the crab. I almost lost it from the flavor that burst in my mouth. I couldn't believe I had gone so long without caving in and having food with some “excitement” to it. I ate some more in pure taste bud heaven, “We are doing this once a month at least!”

Annie kept stopping to watch me. She looked so happy, I'd never seen her look like that before. Besides how unbelievably incredible she looked, there was something else about her tonight, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

“Can I get you two a dessert?” The waiter asked, interrupting me from fully immersing myself in Annie's eyes.

All the desserts had sounded delicious and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a dessert. My eighth birthday, maybe?

“I can't decide. Want to try them all?” I asked her.

“I think I want to marry you for saying that. I can never decide,” she answered laughing.

“Don't worry, we'll do that too.”

I knew she was joking, but I was tempted to fly her to Vegas right now. The only thing stopping me was the fact that she deserved the best proposal in the history of proposals.