A surge of what felt suspiciously like jealousy washed through him and he shook his head. Damn, he was losing his mind. Jealous over some guy he’d never met. But maybe it wasn’t jealousy-maybe it was more like envy. Yeah, that’s all it was. Envy. What guy wouldn’t want a woman to go to the effort of taking sexy pictures for him? To look at him like he was the only man on earth and she wanted to gobble him up in one bite? The fact that she’d taken such sexy photos proved she still possessed the adventurous sense of fun he’d found so captivating. Whoever Mallory’s man was, he was one lucky bastard and Adam hoped the guy appreciated what he had. It was certainly something Adam wished he had.
That thought brought him up short and a frown yanked down his brows. What the hell was he thinking? He didn’t want that. A woman didn’t spend the time and money to have such intimate photos taken for a man unless they were in a relationship. Unless she had strong feelings for him. And relationships and strong feelings were the last things on Adam’s current three-months-in-Europe, bachelor agenda. Mallory had wreaked havoc on his travel plans once before. She was the sort of woman he suspected could also wreak havoc with a guy’s bachelor plans. Good thing she wasn’t available.
His gaze drifted back down to the contact sheets. He’d lost touch with Mallory five years ago, right after his life had taken such a dramatic turn due to his dad’s unexpected death. Hadn’t seen her since.
Well, he’d seen her again now. And damn, he’d liked everything he’d seen. And everything he’d seen had dredged up those memories he’d tried so hard to bury. But unfortunately those memories had haunted him constantly this past week.
He’d been stunned to learn she wasn’t married. During their brief chat last week, he’d made a comment about the photos being for her husband and she’d told him they were for her boyfriend-that her engagement had ended before the wedding had taken place.
Pulling his gaze away from the photos, he looked at his watch. Just past noon. Would she come into the studio today to pick up her proofs? He’d called her this morning-shaking his head as he recalled how his heart had pounded. An answering machine had clicked on after the third ring and a recorded voice had asked that he leave a message. After saying that her proofs were ready, he’d hung up, feeling ridiculously let down that he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her.
His thoughts were interrupted when the front door opened. Adam’s heart jumped only to settle back into place when Nick Daly walked into the studio. Friends since high school, Nick was the brother Adam had never had-yet in all those years, he’d never seen Nick look more bleary-eyed or rumpled.
“How is it possible for a guy to look so exhausted and so happy at the same time?” Adam asked with a grin.
“If you expect me to answer any complicated questions, you’ve lost your mind.”
He took in the colossal foam coffee cup clutched in Nick’s hand. “I didn’t know the Java Hut made to-go cups that big.”
“Trust me, there isn’t a container big enough for the caffeine hit I need,” Nick said with a tired smile. “I think I should just request an IV drip. Sorry to be so late.”
“No problem. That’s why I’m here-to hold down the fort for the proud new dad.”
A grin that could only be described as totally besotted curved Nick’s mouth. “Oh, man, Adam, I don’t think there’s ever been a more beautiful baby in the history of babies than Caroline.”
“Can’t argue with you there. I was the proudest honorary uncle at the nursery when I visited her at the hospital. But I bet your parents said the same thing about you when you were born.” He made a great show of looking Nick over. “Then again, maybe they didn’t.”
“Ha-ha. Tread carefully, my friend. You’re dealing with someone who’s had about seven hours of sleep in the last seven days. Caroline may be adorable and gorgeous, but whew, can that kid yell. Gotta tell ya, whoever made up that phrase ‘sleep like a baby’ clearly never spent any time with an actual baby because let me tell you-babies do not sleep. At least not for more than like twenty minutes at a time. And you know what? When the baby isn’t asleep, the parents aren’t asleep.” He stifled a yawn. “Things will be easier after Annie’s mom arrives the day after tomorrow to help out. Nothing like having a doting grandma on the premises. Annie and I’ll finally get some sleep and I can get back to work. And you’ll be off the hook.”
Adam dragged a hand through his hair. “Listen, I still feel bad about leaving-”
Nick held up his hand to cut off the words. “Do not feel bad. You’ve wanted to take this trip as long as I’ve known you. Hell, you even scheduled it so you’d be around for a few weeks after the baby was born. Who knew she’d decide to be two weeks late?” He shook his head and grinned. “Typical female. But don’t worry-uber-grandma is coming to the rescue.”
“How’s Annie doing?” Adam asked, wondering if she was as frazzled as her husband.
“Terrific. Same as me-thrilled, exhausted, totally in love with our daughter. Looking forward to her mom’s two-week visit.” He lifted the cup to his lips and took a long, deep swallow. “Maybe if I drink five more of these I’ll be able to stay awake till lunchtime.”
“It’s lunchtime now.”
Nick looked at his watch then shook his head. “Damn. How are today’s bookings? Saturday’s my busiest day.”
“Relax. Everything’s fine. I told you-I juggled things around so Kevin’s handling the Baxter wedding. He’s also doing the Anderson anniversary party for you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know you told me. My brain’s just not firing on all cylinders. Thanks for stepping in. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. I may not be an experienced photographer, but organization is right up my alley.”
“You’ve known enough to keep me afloat till things calm down at home.”
“Yeah, and I work cheap, too.”
“Good. ’Cause with the extra money I’m going to have to pay Kevin, I can’t afford to pay you much. Do you know how much baby stuff costs? Major bucks, my friend. Which, by the way, Annie and I want to thank you for all the stuff you’ve bought Caroline. The clothes, books, dolls. They’re great. I never knew you liked to shop.”
“I never had the time-or an adorable princess to buy for. I can’t wait till she’s old enough for video games.”
Nick laughed. “I bet.” He approached the counter and nodded his chin at the proof sheets. “What’re those?”
“Contact sheets from some photos I took last week.” At Nick’s surprised look, Adam said, “I guess I should have told you, but it seemed like you had enough on your plate. Last week when Annie went into labor and you dashed out of here like your shorts were on fire, you told me to reschedule the day’s studio appointments-”
“I remember.”
“Well, I was able to reach everyone except two. So when the customers arrived, I took the pictures.”
Nick’s brows raised. “How’d you do?”
Adam slid the glossy proof sheets across the counter. “You tell me.”
Nick glanced at the proofs, then did a double take. “Ah, the boudoir pics that were scheduled. I was supposed to take them.”
“Can’t say I was real disappointed I had to pinch-hit for you, buddy.”
“Jeez, I guess not,” Nick said, sliding the proof sheets nearer.
“It was my intention to ask her to reschedule when she arrived, but I took one look at her and ‘wanna reschedule’ came out as ‘Adam Clayton, photographer, at your service.’”