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*That Friday*
Adam smiled as he peered into the slightly ajar door to the women's locker room. He'd been in search for Amy earlier for the car that would deliver her daughter to her for the weekend.
The room appeared to be empty except for the redhead and the little girl. That suited the tall blond man just fine, and he reached out and rapped on the door with his knuckles.
Amy looked up abruptly as the door swung open, and Mandy's eyes lit up.
"Uncle Adam!" The little girl ran forward and jumped up at him. The tall Canadian laughed as he stooped down to gather her into his arms.
"Heya, kiddo..."
Amy's breath caught in her throat as she watched the two of them. They were so crazy about each other, and it touched her so deeply, she could have just broken down and cried. Was it possible that, deep down inside, Adam knew? And even little Mandy - that even *she* knew? Lord knew, Amanda had taken to the tall blond man *so* quickly. She positively *adored* him. At the same time, she knew that Adam loved kids.
She was further moved as Adam planted a hearty kiss on the child's cheek.
"Give me a kiss," the blond man said, turning his head and pointing to his right cheek. A small smile adorned his face, but it grew to a full-fledged grin when Amanda complied.
Amy felt herself getting choked up with emotion. Suddenly, she wished the three of them could become a real family. This was just too precious, too warming to her heart. She'd been realizing more and more her feelings for the Canadian had been increasing. She wondered if it were possible for her to fall even more deeply in love with him.
Suddenly, he swung his gaze her way, and their eyes locked and held. His green orbs seemed to be silently questioning her, and she bit her lip as she recalled the most recent confession she'd made to him.
Adam gently set Mandy on her feet and again met Amy's eyes.
Damn it... Why couldn't she do anything these days? She had to tell him - she *had* to! He deserved to know, and so did Mandy. They both deserved the chance to have that relationship with one another - that strong, loving bond that existed only between a father and daughter. And she needed to speak to Matt. It wasn't fair to him *or* to herself for her to stay in a relationship she no longer felt.
She felt her eyes misting and bit her lip, hating the fact that she was breaking down in front of her child.
Adam's expression changed to one of great concern as he noted the emotion overtaking Amy. Keeping his gaze on the redhead, he spoke to the little girl.
"C'mon, Mandy - let's go find your Uncle Jeff." He gestured to Amy, mouthing that he would be right back. Then, he grabbed hold of Amanda's hand and left the room.
Amy was relieved the locker room was deserted as she sank back into a chair. She felt the sobs coming and bowed her head, holding it in her hands. It hurt so much. She felt so helpless.
In minutes, she heard him return to the room, and she didn't even bother to look up as she heard him close and then lock the door.
The blond man crossed the room to her, kneeling down in front of the distressed woman.
She felt his large hand gently on her knee, and she moved her hands from her brow. Her eyes instantly met his concerned pools of forest green, and she lost it.
"I can't... I wimped out, Adam," she breathed. "I can't stay with Matt, and I... I don't want to be with him anymore, but..." She stopped as more tears came.
The blond man gazed up at her with tender concern, his hands gripping hers. Gently, he allowed the pads of his thumbs to caress the backs of her small, smooth hands.
"I guess you'll just do it when you're ready," he said softly. "Honey, don't cry..." He
released her right hand and pressed his large, warm left hand to her cheek, where he dried the
tears. Her eyes closed at the sensation of his fingers on her face. "And don't you ever forget
that I'm here for you - and I always *will* be."