Falling From Disgrace by L Maretta Page B

later.”
     
    When Jack heard Adrianna’s breathing become steady, he quietly exited the room.  After researching online, he had a plan and a shopping list.  A quick note to Adrianna was left on his pillow in case she woke while he was still gone, and then he was on his way with several places to stop.
     
    Throughout his excursion around town, Jack contemplated where his life was headed now with Adrianna in it.  He loved her.  Fuck if it was stupid to do so, for he saw what it was like for his mother being in love with an addict, but he did love her.  And he would not compare this to his parents.  One, Adrianna was not nearly as far gone as his father and two, he believed she really wanted his help, even if she didn’t ask for it yet.  He had seen the look on her face when he told her about his father and she seemed troubled at the thought of turning out like him.  Jack had a plan to ensure she wouldn’t, and after hitting three different stores, he returned to her at his apartment.
     
    Adrianna was waiting for Jack curled up on his couch, flipping through television channels.  When he saw her upon entering, he smiled to himself, knowing he was making the right decision.  She looked beautiful and vulnerable and the urge to protect her from everything, including herself, coursed through him.
     
    Juggling the bags in his arms, he went to her, kissed her hello and asked, “How long did you sleep?”
     
    “Only about forty minutes,” she replied.  “What did you buy?”
     
    “I’ll show you later,” he called over his shoulder as he made his way into the kitchen.  “You must be hungry; I’m going to fix us something to eat.”
     
    With two plates of spaghetti, Jack returned to the couch a while later.  Adrianna sat up and helped him drag the large, wooden coffee table closer to them.
     
    “What are you watching?” Jack asked her, plopping down on the couch after retrieving two glasses of red wine, ready to eat.
     
    Adrianna, pretty famished herself, dug into her food.  “Haven’t found anything yet,” she muffled around the pasta in her mouth.  “I thought you said wine was boring.”
     
    “Those rules only apply if you’re out drinking.  What you drink in the privacy of your own home doesn’t mean a thing,” Jack told her with a wink as he began to twirl his food with his fork.  “I think Duck Dynasty is on.”
     
    Adrianna finished chewing and then swallowed, a sour look upon her face.  “I hate reality TV.”
     
    “I usually do too,” Jack admitted.  “What else do you hate?”
     
    Adrianna smiled and rolled her eyes.  Jack never missed an opportunity to learn more about her. 
     
    “Socks with holes in them,” she offered.  “Tell me something you hate.”
     
    “Acrylic fingernails.  Give me another.”
     
    Adrianna smiled at her own natural nails and then told him, “The slimy part of a tomato.  Your turn.”
     
    Jack took a sip of his wine and gave her, “Bad tippers.  Now tell me something you love.”
     
    Adrianna chewed and thought for a moment.  “Cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster.”
     
    “Oh, good one,” Jack agreed.  “What else?”
     
    “It’s your turn.”
     
    “Okay,” Jack said, reaching out to wipe a spot of sauce from Adrianna’s mouth.  “I love your lips.”
     
    Adrianna licked them causing Jack to groan inwardly.  “Don’t do that,” he told her.  “We’ll never finish eating.”  Putting another forkful of spaghetti in his mouth he told her it was her turn again.
     
    “Anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter.”
     
    Jack laughed.  “You know, for someone so skinny your loves are an awful lot about food.”
     
    Scraping her plate of the last bit of pasta Adrianna told him, “I’m not going to stay skinny long if you keep feeding me like this.  That was delicious, thank you.”
     
    “You’re welcome,” he replied and accepted a kiss from her.  “When was the last time someone cooked for