“This is the center Spencer plans to equip with a music studio ...” David’s voice is drowned out by the memory of that very conversation Bo and I had when he first drove me around Concord. I like that David calls him Spencer. I catch Rae and Adrian staring at me, each seemingly unaware of the other, and I refocus my attention on David.
When all the contracts are signed, David speaks again. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Adrian Turner, a contracted member of our legal team, for aiding in the success of this collaboration. I wish we could pay you enough to stay on full time, Adrian. We’re sorry to see you go. It’s been a real pleasure working with you.”
Adrian nods and starts a speech of thanks.
I’m trying to listen to him when Monica nudges my arm and slides me a note. It reads, “I’m going to kill you for not telling me.” I stifle a laugh and shrug in response. She kicks me under the table.
As people file out of the meeting room, I’m overcome with a twinge of guilt for what happened between Bo and me outside. I really wanted to talk things out with him boundary wise, but seeing his face and those eyes made it impossible. He respected me enough in my moment of tears to leave me alone, but I can’t leave Concord without another go at it. I thumb through my phone to the last time he called and text the number.
Me: Meeting’s over. Can we talk somewhere private?
Bo: Yes. Meet me at Les’s Diner. It’s on Main.
Me: Be there in ten.
“I didn’t know you were planning on leaving DROP, Adrian.” Monica’s voice pulls me away from my phone. It’s seductively accusing.
He shakes his head and shoves papers into his leather messenger bag. “Get that grin off your face, Mon. Like I’d stay here after all that ...”
“Uh huh ...” Monica’s grin elicits an eye roll from Adrian. “Ready, Em? We’ve gotta get back home so you can practice for the show tomorrow.”
Adrian’s brow furrows. “Won’t all of that singing and playing stuff just remind you of Cavanaugh?”
While he has a decent point for a guy, it annoys me—especially since I already told him about the band and the show. “You know what, Adrian? Maybe. If I sing and play it will be because of him in some way; but if I stop it will be all because of him. I like it, so I’m going to keep doing it.” I take a careful pause before turning to Monica. “We’ve got to head to Les’s Diner on Main first. I’m giving my chat with Bo another try.”
“What?” Adrian spits out as Monica’s eyes widen.
“Mon, can you give us just a minute?” I ask, one peg below pleading.
“Yep.” With raised eyebrows she leaves the room, but not before giving Adrian a careful once over.
Adrian paces toward me and then leans against the table a few inches from my body. “You talked to him already today?”
“We tried. I cried all over the brick wall ...” I sigh, and in an instant Adrian’s hand is on top of mine.
“You don’t have to do this, you know. You don’t have to talk to him right now.” He squeezes my hand.
“I do. I’ll be spending half of every week up here from now until god-knows-when. Even if I’m not going to be working with him directly, I’m still in his friggin building. We need to set boundaries.”
Wow. That sounded professional.
“I’ll come with you.” Adrian interlaces his fingers with mine as we walk to the door and I don’t pull it away. My own reaction confuses me.
“Adrian, please.” I roll my eyes. “It’s fine. It’s just a diner, and no matter what he was trying to talk to me about earlier—it can’t happen.” I recall the hope in Bo’s eyes when he first saw me in the hall.
“You’re right. Sorry. I’ll be there tomorrow, OK?” His tone is brighter.
“Of course. See you then. Have a safe drive home.” I squeeze his hand once before pulling mine away.
He heads down to the back offices as I turn for the door. Rachel is standing in the hall a short distance from where Adrian and I were talking. I briefly wonder if she saw anything, and then realize it doesn’t really matter. I wave politely and head for Monica’s car. We head to Les’s Diner without a single word passing between us.
Chapter Five
Monica parks in front of Les’s Diner and both of our heads turn to Bo’s car, which sits empty. He’s inside already.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Adrian leaving DROP?” She asks as I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Why do you assume I knew?”
“Because you didn’t so much as bat an eyelash when they said goodbye to him.”
I sigh. “Monica, he told me on Wednesday when we had dinner. He knows I’m not the ‘surprise’ kind of girl these days.”
Understanding spreads across her face. “Just don’t be into him because you’re trying to get away from Bo.”
“You’re awfully bossy the last few days. Give it a rest. Are you coming inside or staying out here?” I change the subject as I exit the car.
Monica chuckles and shakes her head, giving me a mocking look as she kills the engine and crosses her arms. Given her fiery temper, she’s been quiet about the ‘Bo situation,’ as she’s come to call it. I’m sure it has more to do with the fact that she doesn’t have all the details because, well, neither do I.