The cold water running over her sweaty hands did nothing against the anxiety she felt. It has been rushing through her veins since last night and did not vanish since.
George would ask what made her put their water bill to an all- time high and she'd pretend it was because of the glazing for the chicken wings which was too sticky on her hands. He probably didn't believe her but didn't make a comment about it either and instead kept preparing the food.
Adeline's insomnia got especially bad the last two days, depriving her from sleep completely. Both nights she ended up calling Nora and they'd talk until the line fell silent and Nora must have fallen asleep.
Her friend tried to talk some sense into her. And finally, as she was very convincing, Adeline decided for telling Adam once he was back —while that sounded easy her heart began racing every time she thought about the actual act.
"Take him away from everyone for a while, talk in privacy! Perhaps when everyone has left already take him to your room —but no fucking!"
"Hey! Who is the pregnant one?" She joked but changed her tone right after.
"But what would I even say?"
"Well I think first of he'd appreciate it if you apologized, you know you could've handled everything better..."
"Yeah."
"And then...tell him how you feel that you over-acted and that you're having a hard time dealing with commitment, he'll understand!"
"I think he hates me." Adeline said fully convinced.
"Adeline, I do not believe that...that man is head over heels for you. Love doesn't disappear that quickly."
"I don't know..."
"Adeline, promise me to tell him!"
And now she stood in the kitchen an hour before everyone would arrive for the dinner party at their flat.
The worst part was probably, that it happened at the same place she lived now —there was no escape. Overall in comparison to Nora, George had people over way more often.
This morning, after she first got up from bed another friend of his visited, his name slipped her mind but he ruined the ramble she was about to have concerning the documentary she watched to pass the night. While George needed to have people around to really feel comfortable she felt the opposite way. And while she knew it was on herself to get adjusted to it, it made her even more anxious.
Half an hour. She was curious to know if he'd look any different tonight, a stupid though really. Why would he? It has only been a few weeks while she last saw him with her own eyes and even in the meantime she got bombarded with pictures. He didn't seem to change in those pictures, perhaps the sun on the Côte d'Azur grazed him with a nice tan but that was about it.
Adeline also knew it wouldn't be a completely normal night. Everyone who was going to be there understood their now complicated relation, she probably couldn't prevent from the tension that was going to be in the air once in a while. She wanted to puke at the thought but kept on chopping the carrots in front of her. "Adeline?" George asked.
"Hmm?" "Do you want to sit down for a while?" He asked and grabbed the knife that was once in her hand, sensing her nervousness.
"Yeah...yeah..." She sat down on the couch and took a deep breath.
Soon enough though, the bell rang and the first couple arrived. It was Ruby and Tom and Adeline fixed them a glass of wine from the bottle their brought as gift. Ruby and Adeline talked about the ruthless job world as they both had trouble finding a job after their graduated while Tom now helped in the kitchen. She lightened her mood gradually until the bell rang again. Adam wasn't always punctual, she knew that but still feared he'd come in through the door next. It wasn't him. She breathed out again.
Jenna arrived and surprisingly brought her new girlfriend, she was gorgeous and the group was happy for her, especially after her terrible breakup.
Once the food was served Jim and Nora also arrived and quickly sat down. Her belly was a bit more obvious now and Adeline couldn't help but notice how much more protective Jim was of her now. It was cute though, he'd fix her a glass of water whenever hers was just half empty or keep a hand on her belly constantly.
George was the last to sit down.
"Adam still needs a bit, he just texted me, said we could start already though. So, dig in!"
It bothered her that he was late, the anticipation killed her and she barely knew how to keep a straight face let alone eat in such as state. Nora gave her a reassuring smile.
Half an hour in, their bellies were filled and the bell rang another time. Adeline was startled at the sound and Jim went and opened the door. It was hard to breathe.
She heard his voice coming from the hallway and tried to inconspicuously catch a look –until she heard another voice. A female one. Adam stepped into the room smiling with beautiful girl attached to him. Her heart stopped for a moment.
Adam didn't really know if he should bring Rebecca for the night, but once she heard about the dinner party she couldn't be stopped. "I really want to meet your friends! Come one! Are you afraid I'm not going to behave?" She asked seductively and knew he couldn't say no now. So, he gave in.
He didn't know if he should bring her back to London in the first place, but here he was. Even after they changed their label to dating, he couldn't say how serious this whole thing was. It sure is fun and games when you're at a beautiful cost away from home where the summers were just a little brighter. He didn't know what to expect when they were together in the normal side of his life though. A week of Hollywood was exhausting and he sure as hell was happy when it ended but what if she wasn't?
Perhaps he could also just have completely irrational doubts —but what if she was indeed perfect and they'd stay together forever? What if he didn't even like that thought?
No matter how hard he tried and how much time he'd spend with the model, he never could forget Adeline completely. It sure as hell didn't slip his mind that she'd be present tonight, she lived there after all, but it made him nervous to think about. Rebecca didn't make it better, he almost felt ashamed as he sat down on the large dinner table next to her. Adam introduced Rebecca to his friends and he could sense the tension in the room. He told none of his friends about her and they now seemed somewhat shocked. He also tried his best to not look at Adeline, it has been three weeks...
Adam knew she must look pretty after having caught a short glimpse of her figure but he would have needed to observe her for a second longer to really see her. He refrained from it though, too afraid he'd find sadness in her eyes.
After they have overcome the silence they couldn't stop asking Adam about Cannes, they loved the stories he told about the actors he met, the movies he's seen...
While he was in the middle of talking he saw Adeline excuse herself, he watched her intently as she left the room. She indeed looked beautiful.
When Nora left just one moment after though, he got worried. Adam didn't want to purposely hurt her, he never did. But if she really didn't love him —what should he do?
Little did he know Adeline was crying in Nora's arms in the bathroom.
A/N: pic: https://www.treehugger.com/thmb/H9Dbuv6aEUhWXjMXTSWEwgQKv5c=/998x998/smart/filters:no_upscale()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__treehugger__images__2019__05__Dinner-Home-Setting-Celebration-Table-Elegant-1433494-788e27dd89d54bb58780bd2a431f6a14.jpg
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Warmth | ✔️ #wattys2021
RomanceAdam Talley has made himself quite the name as an actor. As well as a reputation of a charmer in the lady department. And although he loves his job, a normal evening with friends still makes him the happiest. Even more so, when he first lays his eye...
