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*April 2003*
Amy bit her lip nervously as she drove, her hands nearly shaking as she gripped the steering wheel. Was she doing the right thing? She honestly wasn't sure.
It was her day off, and she'd been lucky enough that Jay had had to attend to something. As she saw it, this would probably be her only chance... And it was a chance she had to take.
Her stomach lurched as she reached the house. How would he react to her coming over for a visit with him unexpectedly? As she parked the car just at the edge of the driveway, she sat there and thought about her last visit with him... She'd been devastated when she and Jay had been going up the front walk when she'd spotted Torrie leaving the house. What on earth was his ex-wife doing there? It was damn strange. Although initially, from the small distance, it had appeared to the redhead that the platinum blonde looked unhappy, as she'd grown nearer as she'd been passing by, that didn't seem to be the case. On the contrary, Torrie's head had risen high as she'd oh-so-briefly exchanged glances with Amy, a glint in her blue eyes, a smug-looking half-smile playing on her lips. To the redhead, it had seemed as though the other woman were gloating with triumph...
... Once she and Jay had gone into the house, she'd wanted so badly to just come out and question the tall blond man about his ex-wife's visit - but she hadn't been able to bring herself to do so.
She roused from her reverie, shaking off the cobwebs as she stared over at the house. Was she crazy for doing this? The diva sighed and undid her seatbelt, then exited the car. There was really only one way to find out.
Her heart was beating about a million miles per minute as she started the walk up to the front door. She was *so* nervous. Then, she wondered why that was... She was only visiting a friend - albeit, a friend she was in love with.
Amy stood anxiously at the front door, glancing over her shoulder back at her car. Maybe she could just turn back and leave, and he'd be none the wiser.
However, not a moment later, the door suddenly opened, startling her in the process so badly that she jumped slightly. She hadn't even rang the doorbell!
"Amy?"
The redhead caught her breath in her throat, her gaze riveted to his green eyes. God, he was gorgeous... At this point, Adam was no longer wearing the hard neck brace, but a soft collar in its place. He looked tired and slightly rumpled, but still gorgeous nonetheless. She started to feel weak in the knees.
"H-hi, Adam," she stammered. She bit her lip as their eyes remained locked. Why was she finding it so increasingly difficult to speak? She swallowed hard, hating the parchness of her throat. It hadn't been so dry a minute ago.
The blond man managed a smile for her. What a surprise it was, seeing her here right outside his door. He'd been sitting in his living room, watching TV, when something outside had caught his attention. He'd thought that, in his peripheral vision, he'd detected a movement. And then, sure enough, he'd looked out the window and seen the beautiful redhead.
"What are you doing here?" he asked softly, curiosity and wonder consuming him. "Not that I mind to see you." Inwardly, he thought, 'If I had my way, you'd be here with me all the time,' but he spoke not a word of that aloud.
"I... I came to see you," she finally answered. Damn it, she could feel her cheeks beginning to burn. "I... hope you don't mind-"
The Canadian silenced her with a wave of his hand, his emerald eyes sparkling as he fixed them on her lovely hazel eyes, which were now downcast.
"Don't be silly, Amy," he said. "You're always welcome here, and I'm happy you stopped by to visit me."
She raised her gaze slowly, sheepishly, and felt herself melting. He was so damn handsome, and she couldn't help but feel comfortable by his warmth. It was funny, though - she'd never felt uncomfortable around him before because they'd always been such good friends.
"Come on - come in," he said softly, holding the door open wider and stepping back to allow her entrance. He kept his gaze fixed on her as she stepped inside. He could hardly believe she was really here and not just a figment of his imagination. And she was here alone, without Jay. He couldn't help but wonder about that. At the same time, he wasn't going to complain.
She crossed the living room directly to the couch, where she sat down on its edge. Somehow, she still appeared somewhat nervous in his eyes. He found that cute - but he was touched that she'd paid him this visit. He followed her over and sat down near her.
"So..." she said, her head cocking to one side as she met his green eyes. "... How are you? I see you've had the hard brace removed, there."
"Holding up okay," he admitted. "I'm so glad that thing is finally off. It's damn claustrauphobic!"
"Oh, I *know*!" the redhead said. "It sucks. You *know* I can totally relate to you and what you're going through." She raised a hand to her hair and raked her fingers through it, shaking it out a bit.
Adam's gaze was steady and unwavering on her as she performed the gesture. God, the effect this woman had on him. He could feel his breath quickening as he continued to gaze at her. He wondered if she knew just what the simple act of shaking out her lush, rich auburn hair beside him was doing to him. The strands even brushed against his bare arm, tickling him and sending chills rushing up his spine. And the fragrance... It was so intoxicating.
They were sitting pretty close to each other, and he stretched his long legs out even more until his thigh brushed against hers. He had to fight against the urge to turn to her and just pull her against him and kiss her long and hard.
Amy sucked in a breath, the feel of his thigh suddenly pressed to hers not at all lost on her. God, her body was reacting to that. She felt the urge to move so that they weren't touching but couldn't bring herself to do so. Besides, it felt *so* nice.
There was a comfortable but noticeable silence in the air between them for a beat, and then they both started to speak at once. Adam gestured to her with his hand, somehow refraining from touching her much smaller one or her arm or shoulder.
"Ladies first..."
"Oh, I was just going to say that..." She glanced around and toward the window for a second, then back at him, meeting those incredible pools of green. "... Well, Jay doesn't even know I'm here."
The tall blond man arched an eyebrow at that. That was interesting to know.
"Oh." He eyed her silently for a long moment, wishing beyond anything that she *wasn't* with his best friend, that she was free for him to touch, to kiss... Fate really loved to spit in his face and mock him. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. He looked away reluctantly, trying to get hold of himself and spoke again. "Hey... Where are my manners? Let me get you something to drink." He rose before the redhead had a chance to say anything, retreating to the kitchen.
When he was inside the kitchen, he leaned up against the side of the refrigerator and closed his eyes, a long breath escaping him. Why did this have to be so damn hard? Why did he have to be in love with his best friend's girlfriend? And yet, he still wanted to take her, do things with her and to her, and the hell with Jay or anyone else.
Getting hold of himself, Adam again took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. This was insane. 'Stop it,' he told
himself. He grabbed a clean glass from beside the sink and grabbed a pitcher of iced tea from the fridge, cursing himself
mentally for not even having asked Amy what she wanted. Oh, hell... He poured the glass and then, when he felt composed
enough, went back out there to her.