Emily's POV
"Hide. Hide now," I hissed.
"What? Where?"
"Anywhere but here! The bathroom—no, the bedroom! Go!"
He bolted just as Amanda’s footsteps echoed closer.
I plastered a fake smile on my face and turned to greet her, my heart racing.
"Hey, Mands," I said, voice slightly higher than usual.
She tilted her head. "You okay? You look... flushed."
"Oh, it’s just hot in here. AC’s acting up."
She plopped down on the couch, completely unaware of the guy currently hiding in my room.
“You didn’t call me after your night with Seb. What happened?” Amanda asked the moment she sat down on the couch, kicking off her sandals like she owned the place.
The question hit like a slap across the face. My heart tumbled back to that moment, Sebastian’s closet, Tammy’s smug nakedness, the betrayal. My smile faded.
Amanda’s brows are knitted. “Emily… what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
I inhaled deeply and looked at her. “I broke up with Sebastian.”
“What?” she practically screamed. “You what? Why?!”
“I caught him with Tammy.” I paused, trying to hold it together. “She was hiding in his closet. Naked.”
Amanda shot to her feet. “You’re joking! That—” She stopped, fists clenched. “I swear to God, I’ll slap that girl back into childhood once summer ends. And Seb? Ugh! I can’t believe him. What a piece of crap!”
I smiled weakly, appreciating her outrage. “Thanks. But I’m fine, really.”
“You’re not fine,” Amanda said, plopping back down. “You’re putting on that fake Emily bravado. Come on, cry it out. Yell. Punch a pillow. Something!”
“I’m not crying over that jerk,” I said with a weak chuckle.
Amanda sighed, resting her hand on mine. “You deserve way better, you know? Hey, if you want, I can hook you up with one of Bryan’s friends. There’s this guy, Dylan—”
“I’ll pass.”
“Suit yourself,” she said with a shrug. Just then, a loud thud came from the bathroom. Amanda’s eyes widened. “Wait, did you hear that? Is someone in there?”
My blood ran cold. “No,” I said quickly. “Probably just one of the cleaners. They’re always bumping into things.”
Amanda stared at the door suspiciously. “Weird timing.”
I nodded quickly, trying to appear calm, though my nerves were unraveling. Adam was still hiding in there, probably cursing the moment he agreed to come in. If I’d known Amanda would show up, I never would’ve let him in.
We talked for a while, mostly Amanda ranting about Seb and Tammy, and throwing in wild ideas for revenge.
I laughed here and there, but my focus was split. Every second that ticked by, I prayed she wouldn’t decide to open that bathroom door.
Suddenly, her phone rang. “Mom?” she said, answering. “Now? Ugh, fine.” She rolled her eyes as she hung up. “I have to go. Mom needs me home ASAP. Some stupid errand.”
Relief washed over me like a tide. “Okay, I’ll call you later, promise.”
She gave me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. “Don’t be a stranger. And seriously, think about the Dylan option!”
The moment the door closed behind her, I bolted to the bathroom. “Adam?” I whispered, pushing the door open.
Empty.
My stomach dropped. “Adam?” I called louder, walking out. Panic fluttered in my chest. Had he left? Was he angry?
Just as I turned to grab my phone, a soft creak sounded behind me. I spun around and nearly screamed.
The closet door eased open and Adam stepped out, grinning like a mischievous kid.
“You!” I burst into laughter.
“You hid me in a closet, Emily. A damn closet.”
“You were in there the whole time?” I giggled, backing away as he stalked toward me.
“I almost suffocated in there.”
“Liar,” I teased.
He lunged and I screamed, darting around the room. “No! Don’t you dare!”
Too late. He caught me, tossing us both onto the bed in a fit of laughter.
“Do you realize what you just did?” he said between breaths. “You turned me into a sneaky, hiding lover.”
At that word—lover—my breath hitched. My heartbeat quickened. We froze, staring at each other.
Then his lips touched mine. When he started to pull away, I stopped him. “Kiss me,” I whispered.
He looked down at me, startled. “Why?”
I held his gaze, daring myself not to look away. “Because I want you, Adam. Take me.”
He didn’t hesitate.
His lips crashed into mine, and everything else melted away.