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"Great match, you guys!"
As Adam turned around to face his best friend, a fierce rage ran through him. It seemed as though Jay was always around, always in their business. And he didn't like it one bit.
"Thanks, Jay," he said, forcing a warm grin for the other man's benefit as well as Amy's. But the shorter Canadian was not even looking at him. Instead, he was staring at Amy - and the redhead seemed to be enjoying his attention.
"I think I'm suffering from a bit of ring rust..." the diva admitted sheepishly.
Now, Adam jumped in.
"You were great, Ames... Besides, even if you *did* have ring rust, it's only because you're afraid of reinjuring your neck." He gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "I get the same fear, now that I'm back with a surgically-repaired neck myself."
"Well, even so..." The redhead sighed. "I *do* think I need a little extra training."
"It couldn't hurt," Jay said, his blue eyes fixed to her with appreciation. "If you want-"
"That's a great idea, Amy," Adam interrupted, now dominating her full attention as his green eyes met her hazel. "I could probably use some, too. Lord knows, we're definitely in the same boat here." The tall blond man ignored the look his best friend was giving him. "We can train together if you like..."
"That's a great idea, Adam!"
The Canadian flashed her a winning, toothy grin. He had her right where he wanted, all right... And the best part was that she wasn't even asking Jay to finish his thought.
Inside, Adam snickered. How could Jay ever compete with *him*? *He* was the better-looking one, the wittier one, the one with all the charm. And while he knew there were women who found his best friend magnetic, he knew it was *he* who made them all weak in the knees. He just had a way about him, and he knew exactly what to say and do to please a woman. And he couldn't *wait* to utilize those talents on Amy. In fact, he was so anxious and excited by the prospect that he could practically taste it.
Jay looked back and forth from Adam to Amy and felt a strange twinge inside. Something was going on here, happening between the two of them. In one sense, it hurt, because since the diva's return back in September, it had been *they* who had been growing closer. There was no denying his attraction toward Amy, and he'd been pretty certain that attraction was mutual. And they definitely liked each other. Although he hadn't told Adam any of this, he would think his best friend would *see* that.
And now, Adam seemed to be moving in on the redhead. He'd seen this all before, ten years earlier when they'd been in college. There had been this girl he'd liked, and they'd been getting closer. But before he knew what hit him, Adam had come along and met her, and she'd become entranced by him. Jay had had to endure watching the girl of his dreams dating his best friend for close to a year and a half...
"Thank you, Adam," Amy was saying, a bright smile on her pretty face. "You're so thoughtful!"
"Ahh, don't mention it. Anything for *you*, Ames..." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her nearer, and flashed a smile for Jay's benefit as well. And then, he felt Amy snuggle against him a bit.
This was good... This was *very* good. And right in front of Jay - it couldn't be any more perfect.
"Hey," the tall blond man said as he peered down into the young woman's still beaming face, "what do you say we celebrate our first victory as a team by going out to a late dinner?"
Amy's smile broadened. Her heartbeat and pulse were quickening by the minute. There was just something about the way Adam was looking at her that she found incredible. She hoped she wouldn't stammer as she answered him. Damn, he was gorgeous.
"I'd love it..."