My Heart Is Open

Kiss You Slow

*Lacey's pov

18 months later (September 2016)*

"Lacey come on love!" Adam shouted from the bedroom. "I'm coming I'm coming!" I said into the bathroom mirror. "You've been saying that for 20 minutes!" He laughed. I rolled my eyes and finished my make up and started getting dressed. "I heard that eye roll!" He said and I'm sure he smirked. "Watch yourself Levine" I said and heard him singing again. I smiled and stepped out of the bathroom. "Wow" he grinned. I blushed, "that's what you're wearing?" I asked staring at his printed busy shirt and printed shorts. "Well actually I was gonna wear a pair of black pants but I left them in the bathroom in my rush to let you in the shower" he said poking my side. "Excuses, excuses, let's go Levine" I said and sat on the bed next to Briar Rose. "Momma pretty" she managed in her broken little one year old speech. I hugged her kissing her head, "thanks baby" I said. "Alright, let's go" Adam said. "Oh do we have too?" I groaned holding Briar Rose close. "Yes Lace, come on she'll be fine," he said his eyes begging me, "I need tonight with you" he said pulling me close. "I know," I said melting against him, "I just haven't really left her." "I know" he whispered.

The bell rang and I groaned. "Mimi!" Briar Rose yelled and toddled toward the stairs. Adam scooped her up as I grabbed my bag and heels and followed them. "Hi sweetheart" Patsy said when I finally made it downstairs. "How're you doing?" She asked. I sighed, "I'm okay, just wish he wasn't going away again." I slipped on my heels and linked arms with Adam. "Come on we'll walk you out, otherwise we'll be late" he said eyeing me and poking my side. We walked Patsy to the car and I watched her strap in Briar Rose, saying goodbye several more times before Adam could pull me to our car. "It's okay you know, to be away from her. It's normal" he said caressing my leg. I nodded "I know" I said resting my hand on his.

We ended up at this new hole in the wall Italian restaurant, a surprise to me when we parked. He led me inside and the hostess stumbled and stuttered when he smiled. "R...right this way" she managed. I giggled softly into Adam's arm. We sat and flipped through the menu, "can I get you something to drink?" She asked her nervous energy almost tangible. "Your best bottle of wine" Adam said looking up at her. She blushed and rushed off. "Wow she's really into you" I smiled watching him, "nothing new" he laughed. She came back and popped the bottle and pour us some. She set mine down and reached for Adam's glass, "thanks uh, Cassie" he said looking at her name tag. She shivered hearing him say her name and spilled red wine on his shirt. "Oh my God!" She said gasping. I burst out laughing, "oh thank you that shirt needed that" I said unable to control it. "I'm so so sorry!" She said grabbing a towel and blotting the stain.

Adam laughed, "no worries, it's only a shirt, I have plenty more" he assured her. The manager came out then, "Mr. Levine, I am so sorry for my waiters clumsiness, please let me pay to get it cleaned" he said. Adam shook his head, "it's fine, my wife hated it anyway, it's a blessing in disguise really, she didn't have to steal it and burn it and I don't have to worry about hiding it out in the closet" he said laughing. "Please sir, this meal is on me" she said. "Absolutely not Cassie, it was an accident, nothing more. Now how about we order" he smiled. The manager went to insist further but Adam continued before he could, "a chicken parmigiana and a house special" he grinned wildly. Cassie nodded and rushed off. "Don't be too hard on her, she's nervous, and from what I gather this place is pretty new, I would hate for this to get out all because you paid to get my shirt cleaned, and ruin your reputation. It's just a shirt, I have a million more, I'm not worried" he said assuring the manager. He nodded and turned to go. "You're too sweet" I smiled, "I try" he smirked.

We chatted softly avoiding obvious topics of tour and Briar Rose. Adam paid after a leisurely dinner and left a hefty tip behind and a note. I smiled reading it, "just breathe, we're people too" and a smiley face. His hand fell to my lower back holding me close. I leaned against the car watching him unlock it, "mmm" I grinned biting my lip. He looked at me pulling the keys out of the door and grinned, "get in girl" he said kissing me. I laughed and got in watching him run around. He rushed us home caressing my thigh the entire way. He parked and carried me inside and up the stairs. I laughed and curled around him, "mmm thanks for dinner" I grinned unbuttoning the ugly shirt busy shirt he wore. He kissed my neck, "anything for my girl." My dress fell to the floor and he pulled me over him.