Unexpected Love.

Elizabeth touched Adam’s card through the fabric of her purse. She told herself the warm flutter in her chest was satisfaction at finally making progress on the house. She told herself a great many things that evening.

At ten forty-three, her phone lit up on the kitchen counter.

Adam: Did you choose the right blue?

She had told herself she was only checking that Adam was safe. But when he opened the door, with that tired, relieved look on his face, she forgot the speech she had rehearsed.

“I had to see you,” she said.

He didn’t move aside right away.

The humor faded. Adam’s eyes held hers.

“Do you still want me?” he asked.

The question did not sound like vanity. It sounded like fear.