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Adam came back to the locker room still grinning from ear-to-ear. Naturally, he had known he would be winning the World Heavyweight title again, but it didn't sour the feeling one bit.
He smiled as he raised the shiny gold belt and hefted it up onto his shoulder. He checked his reflection in the mirror, flipping some of his still damp shoulder-length blond hair back as he did so. Damn, this just felt so nice.
He was startled by the sudden knocking on the locker room door. He put the championship belt down and cleared his throat to speak.
"Just a minute!" He knew it was silly and that probably every single person who'd ever won a title did the same at least once, he was a little embarrassed.
Adam went to the door and opened it, surprise coursing through him as to the identity of his visitor.
"Hi," he said, somewhat taken aback. He smiled. He couldn't help it.
"Hi yourself," Amy said as she stood there. She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway. "I guess congratulations are in order."
"Thanks."
She cocked her head to one side, a playful expression dominating her beautiful face.
"That was really clever," she said. "Was it your idea?"
He knew she was referring to having Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins pose as the double - and triple - in his match earlier that night.
"Actually, it wasn't," he answered. "It was Stephanie's idea and was brought to my attention just this afternoon."
The redhead arched an eyebrow, expressing her surprise at that revelation.
"Wow," she said. "Well, that's definitely surprising."
Adam nodded.
"Yeah, I know." In the years since she had been head of the creative team, Stephanie McMahon had never been much of a brainstormer - but he had to give it to her this time. She'd done a terrific job with this "Edgeheads" idea. He only hoped it would lead to a good push for the former Major Brothers and not end up with them getting lost in the shuffle.
"Hey," he said, suddenly remembering that she had had her first match back that night, "nice work in the diva battle royal." He offered her an appreciative smile.
"Oh. Thanks." She raised a hand to her long red hair, tossing it a little. She really hadn't given much thought to her own match after witnessing his.
They stood there in silence for a moment, just looking at each other. Then, Adam reached for his suitcase, which had been packed except for the title belt. He placed it in, on top of his clothing and then closed the bag.
"Hey," he began, "here's an idea... Would you care to join me for a quick bite before heading back to the hotel?"
Her eyes seemed to widen just a touch, and she felt a genuine twinge of... something inside. This was how their affair had started little more than four years earlier. They'd been friends, and they'd begun traveling together, going out to eat alone, just the two of them. It had started out all very innocently, but they had fallen in love. This was very dangerous territory, and she knew it.
"Oh, no..." She held up a hand in a gesture of protest. "No, but thanks."
The tall blond man felt crushed but wondered why. All he'd asked was for her to join him in a fast bite before they turned into their separate quarters for the night. Yet, it actually hurt his feelings that she was turning him down. He knew she was his ex-girlfriend... But she was also a friend, always had been.
"Come on," he said, a smile pulling at his lips. "Just two old friends eating and catching up. Nothing more," he promised. "It's on me."
Amy bit her lip and looked into his emerald eyes. If she wasn't careful, she thought she might actually lose herself in them. She fidgeted with her hands and tried to explain.
"Well, the thing is... Trish..." She prayed she wouldn't stumble over her own words. She knew how lame she sounded right about then. "... We traveled together, and-"
"And Trish will be just fine if you abandon her tonight."
Both Amy and Adam looked toward the hallway to see the blonde diva herself standing there. Her face wore a big smile as she stood there watching them.
The redhead felt more embarrassed and thought about smacking her friend later on.
"What?"
"Jeff and I are taking off," Trish elaborated. "He's taking me for a pizza at a place he knows around here." She winked and gestured to them. "So, you're free to go with Adam, Amy. You won't be abandoning me." She shifted her chocolate-brown eyes from the redhead to the new World Heavyweight Champion, flashing another winning smile. She then glanced down at her wrist, making a very obvious point of checking her watch. "Well, I've got to run. Jeff wanted me to meet him right about now. Bye, guys!" She waved happily before leaving.
Amy felt herself burning up inside at her friend's apparent scheming. It seemed Trish had fixed things so that she would be put into such a situation with Adam. She bowed her head as she thought about it, realizing she was being silly. Trish had always liked Jeff... That and that alone was her agenda.
She raised her head and met her ex-boyfriend's amused green eyes. Sheepishly, she voiced what was on her mind.
"You know, on second thought... A bite sounds good."