This Time He Pursues Me With All Chapter 23

I didn't argue. I buckled my seatbelt and stared straight ahead.

The car pulled smoothly into traffic. The cabin was dead silent.

Adam didn't speak. I didn't speak. The awkwardness from yesterday hung between us like smoke.

After a few minutes, he asked, "Want to listen to something?"

I was about to say no when Amy piped up from the backseat. "Yes!"

"What do you want to hear?"

Amy thought for a second. "Start Again."

Adam tapped the screen. The opening notes filled the car.

Amy started swaying in her seat, waving her little hands and kicking her feet in time with the music.

I turned my face toward the window.

---

Half an hour later, we pulled into the parking lot of a massive auto shop.

I reached for my phone. "How much was the repair? I'll transfer it to you."

Adam turned off the engine. "You can take me to a movie instead."

I froze. "What?"

"The repair cost," he said, his tone flat. "Trade it for one movie. That's not unreasonable, is it?"

It *was* reasonable. The repair bill was probably hundreds of dollars. A movie ticket? Fifteen bucks.

It was a steal. A ridiculously good deal.

"When?" I asked.

"*There's a 10:35 showing of *Second Chances*." He glanced at me. "Let's go."

*Let's go.*

Those two words hit me like a fist to the chest.

*Let's go.*

That's what he used to say. All the time.

*I want to go hiking.*

*Let's go.*

*I want to try the shooting range.*

*Let's go.*

*I want Mexican food.*

*Let's go.*

*Actually, no—Thai food.*

*Let's go.*

He never said no. He just... went. Wherever I wanted. Whatever I wanted to do.

"Auntie Maya."

Amy's voice snapped me back to the present. "Look! There's a car seat in this one too!"

I blinked and turned around.

Adam was holding open the back door of my Toyota. Inside, strapped securely to the seat, was a brand-new child safety seat.

My throat tightened.

*He installed one in his car. And now he installed one in mine.*

*Why?*

*Why would he do that?*

"Maya." Adam's voice cut through my thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"

I looked up. He'd already buckled Amy into the seat and was standing by the passenger door, holding it open.

"Mr. Sterling," I said slowly. "Aren't you going to drive your own car?"

He gestured toward the shop. "My car's staying here for maintenance. You don't mind if I ride with you, do you?"

I hesitated. Then I said, "Fine. But I'm counting the drive to the theater as payment for the car seat you bought Amy."

His expression went cold. "If you're not taking me, you don't owe me anything."

---

I opened the GPS app and selected the nearest theater.

We drove in silence for a few minutes. Then Adam said, "Your driving has improved."

"Yeah," I said. "I've been driving Julian around a lot the past two years. Practice makes perfect."

"Julian drinks at business dinners," I continued. "So he has me drive him home. I was terrified at first—I'd barely touched a steering wheel since I got my license. But I needed the job, so I did it anyway. I don't know what I was thinking. It was so dangerous."

I laughed bitterly. "And Julian's got balls, I'll give him that. Letting a total novice drive him around. He could've died in a crash."

"After a few times, though, I got braver. Better. Now I'm actually pretty good—"

I glanced over at Adam.

His jaw was tight. His fists were clenched in his lap, knuckles white.

His face looked like a thundercloud.

"Mr. Sterling?" I frowned. "Are you okay?"

He didn't answer.

I rolled my eyes. *Fine. Whatever.*

If he wanted to sulk, that was his problem. I wasn't going to beg him to talk.

Then Amy's voice came from the backseat, sweet and matter-of-fact.

"Uncle Adam, if you have something to say, you should say it. Don't just make faces. It makes people not like you."

Adam turned his head sharply and stared at her.

"Stay out of grown-up business, kid," he said flatly.

Amy made a *tch* sound. "Stubborn jerk."

"You little brat," Adam shot back. "What do you know?"

Amy grinned. "Uncle Adam, Auntie Chloe says grumpy men end up alone."

Adam's eyes narrowed. "Keep talking and I'm taking back the car seat I bought you."

I glanced at the GPS. "We're here, baby."

"Great. Let me out now. I don't need your car seat anymore."

---

We found our seats in the VIP section—big, plush recliners with footrests and cupholders.

Amy immediately climbed into hers and started fiddling with the reclining lever.

Adam sat down in the seat next to mine, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

The lights dimmed. The previews started.

Amy was completely absorbed, her eyes glued to the screen.

I tried to focus on the movie. I really did.

But I was painfully aware of Adam sitting next to me. The faint scent of his cologne. The way his arm rested on the armrest between us, just inches from mine.

*Don't think about it.*

*Don't think about yesterday.*

*Don't think about the kiss.*

But I *was* thinking about it.

I could still feel his hand on the back of my neck. The way his mouth had moved against mine. The way my body had responded, even though my brain was screaming at me to push him away.

I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs.

Adam glanced at me.

I stared straight ahead, pretending I didn't notice.

---

Halfway through the movie, Amy fell asleep.

"She's out," Adam said quietly.

"Yeah. She didn't sleep well last night."

He didn't respond. Just kept looking at me.

I turned back to the screen, my heart pounding.

*Stop staring at me.*

Another few minutes passed.

Then I felt it.

His hand.

On the armrest. Right next to mine.

His pinky finger brushed against the side of my hand.

I froze.

*It's an accident. He's just adjusting his position.*

But then he did it again.

A slow, deliberate slide of his finger against mine.

My breath caught.

I didn't move. Didn't pull away.

His hand shifted. His fingers covered mine.

I closed my eyes.

*Maya. Don't.*

But I didn't move.

His thumb traced slow circles on the back of my hand.

I bit my lip hard, trying to keep my breathing steady.

---

When the credits rolled, I gently pulled my hand away and stood up.

"Amy, baby. Wake up. The movie's over."

Amy stirred and yawned. "Is it done?"

"Yeah, sweetie. Time to go."

Adam stood and stretched, his shirt pulling tight across his shoulders.

*Stop looking.*

I bent down and helped Amy out of her seat.

We walked out of the theater together, the three of us.

Like a family.

*Don't think that. Don't you dare think that.*