20

The next few days, Adam found himself having daily conversations with Gina. They had a lot to catch up on, and Gina was anxious to do so. She even managed to convince him to take her to a New Year’s Eve party.

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun,” she coaxed. “Everyone will be there. There’s no one I’d rather go with. Think what everyone will say.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, Gina. I’m not ready to start back where we left off. I’m not the same person I was when we were together. I’m sure you aren’t either.”

“It’s one party. I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment here.”

Adam reluctantly agreed, and soon found himself in a rented tux, escorting Gina into Niagara Falls on New Year’s Eve. When the valet took the car, he was glad Gina insisted on him driving her car. When he’d gone to pick her up, she’d taken one look at his secondhand truck and handed him the keys to her car. He chuckled to himself. He’d forgotten how to live this way.

Gina was clad in a red sequin dress that hugged her body in all the right places. A plunging neckline was exposed when she removed her coat. Her hair was swept in an elaborate braid, and diamond earrings dangled from her ears.

They found their friends, and engaged in idle small talk, the men discussing the upcoming football playoffs, and the women in the latest gossip.

As Adam talked to the guys, he caught Gina and some of the other women glancing his way. Instead of joining the women, he scoped out the trays of hors d'oeuvres carried by the waiters. After exhausting the details of every possible playoff matchup, dinner was served.

Adam was back in his former element. He found himself relishing the food, and surprisingly, the upscale evening in general. Dinners like this were a common scene in his past. As the night wore on, however, images from the book Kathryn made for him flashed across his mind. He cringed at how much he’d spent on the tux, and could only imagine how much the tickets cost. Gina insisted she was taking him out, and he hadn’t been able to change her mind.

What was he even doing here? He didn’t need this anymore. He didn’t need to be rich and powerful to prove he was important. He was valuable to God. The kids in Africa had next to nothing but were full of joy in their hearts. He was grateful God gave him that perspective. As tempting as this lifestyle could be, it was not for him. Still, he’d promised Gina the evening out, and as it wasn’t even close to midnight yet, he had a long night ahead of him.

As the night wore on, he tried to beg off from the dance floor, but Gina was used to getting her way. She pulled him close during a slow song. He inhaled her perfume—the same kind she wore when they were together. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his body responded. He closed his eyes and found himself traveling back into the past. Warning bells went off in his head as she leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear “Part of the ticket package includes a room upstairs…”

He didn’t want this. This night was nothing but one big temptation. He jumped as his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He couldn’t help recalling a verse he’d taught the kids in his youth group back in Africa.

1 Corinthians 10:13. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

He excused himself and pulled his phone out of his pocket. A text from Kathryn.

Happy New Year! Babysitting Ben and Emma. Ben wanted to stay up but passed out on the couch. Bandit says hi.

Adam grinned. He apologized to Gina and sent two silent prayers of thanks to God. First, for keeping him away from alcohol. If he’d been drinking, his judgment would be compromised, and he wouldn’t have been able to drive home tonight. The second prayer of thanks was for the way to escape the temptation. There was nothing that could get his mind off Gina faster than Kathryn. God understood that. He shot back a quick text.

At a fancy party I don’t belong at. Rather be with u & Bandit. See u soon.

He turned back to Gina, who was looking scorned. He remembered another phrase but was sure that one wasn’t from the Bible. “Hey Gina, I’m sorry. I’m not in the mood for dancing. Can we go back to the table and talk?”

Gina’s lips formed a pout, but she took his arm and they made their way back to the table.

The music switched back to a loud fast number, and there was no way they’d be able to talk. After several more ear-splitting dance tunes, the DJ finally took the mike and started the countdown.

Gina pulled at Adam’s sleeve. “Come on, it’s nearly midnight.”

Adam got up, and they joined in with everyone else for the countdown to midnight. As the clock struck twelve, Gina covered Adam’s lips with hers. He pulled back, but she held him close as they danced the New Year in together.

The ringing in of the New Year was the unofficial end of the party. People began heading out of the ballroom.

Adam breathed a sigh of relief. He put his hand on Gina’s back and steered her to the coat room. She stopped.

“Adam, sweetheart, I told you, I have a room for tonight. I won’t need my coat until tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll be able to keep me warm. You do remember how, don’t you?”

Adam winced. He’d made a lot of changes in his life, and like alcohol, sex outside of marriage was not part of the plan. “Gina, you’ve been drinking. Let’s not do anything rash here.”

“Adam, I was almost your wife. I think I know what I’m doing.”

“So do I, for the first time in my life, and that’s why I’m taking you home.” He handed the coat attendant the claim check and some cash, and steered Gina out into the night. She took her place in the passenger seat, arms folded, and he drove her home in silence.

When Adam was finally behind the wheel in his pickup truck, he leaned back against the seat and blew out a puff of air. That had been a close one. Thank heavens he’d be heading back to Pine Springs tomorrow.

Adam spent the drive back to Pennsylvania rehashing the trip. The family time was fantastic. Reconciling with Gina and finding out his old friends were still there for him was the icing on the cake. Although he hadn’t seen Gina’s father or any of the other men from the firm, he knew in his heart he’d forgiven them. It was a good trip.

When he finally arrived in Pine Springs, all he wanted was to see Kathryn. He offered a prayer to God, thanking him for all that happened, and prayed for guidance. One word impressed upon his mind.

“Wait.”

He’d planned on calling her as soon as he got back, but now he wasn’t sure. He busied himself that night hitting the grocery store and catching up with the Fredericks.