“Never, Kitty Kat,” Sam tries to reassure me. He takes my face in his palms and places a soft and chaste kiss on my lips. “Never,” he repeats.
I gather my suitcase and make my way through the airport doors. Looking back at Sam, I find him watching me. I give him a small smile and wave goodbye.
As I walk through the airport, I can’t stop the few tears that slide down my cheeks.
Sam moved back to Charleston a week ago. He put his furniture into a storage unit and has been living at his dad’s house.
We’re supposed to have our firstproperdate today. Except it isn’t a date because Liv told Sam I refuse to sleep in the primary bedroom.
So, Sam’s bringing my favorite Chinese takeout and is helping me clear out Ethan’s things. I’ve been dreading this since Sam told me we were changing plans on Wednesday.
I immediately called Liv to complain.“Kat, you can’t just avoid that room for the rest of your life. I know it’s hard, but having Sam help you will make it easier.”
Fucking. Whatever.
But I know she’s right.
Sam knocks and then lets himself in. He’s looking sexy as hell in loose running shorts that show off his muscular legs, and a hunter green AC/DC t-shirt that shows off his muscular arms and tattoos. I want to trace my fingers along the trees painted down his arm.
I drag my eyes down the length of his arm and see he’s carrying a few bags of food as he makes his way in. “Think you ordered enough food?” I laugh as Sam pulls out container after container, placing them on the kitchen counter.
“Well, I figured we should eat before we get started, and then I thought it might take a while, so I got extra in case we get hungry again.”
“So thoughtful.” My voice is dripping in sarcasm.I don’t want to do this.
He steps away from the food and makes his way to me, determination in his steps. “I know this is going to be hard, but I’m here. Every step of the way, I’m here.” He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into a warm and comforting hug.
I blow out a breath, “I know. Thanks for being here.” I wrap my arms around him and snuggle into his chest. “Can we just stay like this for a bit?”
“We can stay like this for as long as you want.” He kisses the top of my head the way he always does. I hear his stomach grumble with hunger and begrudgingly step out of his warm arms.
“Better feed you before you turn into a bear,” I tease.
“I think you’d like me as a bear.” He winks before stepping back to the food. He pulls plates out of the cupboard, and even though this is the first time he’s been here since I’ve lived here, I realize this isn’t his first time here. He knows exactly where the plates, cups, and silverware are. My chest tightens at the thought.
“What’s wrong?” His voice is laced with concern as he looks over at me.
I sigh, trying to collect my thoughts. “I just realized that you must have been here a lot since you know where everything is. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out where everything was.”
I don’t tell Sam that his knowing where everything is just reminds me of all the time we’ve lost.Was I being selfish for not talking to him for so long? Probably.
But more than that, it reminds me of the time I’ve lost with Ethan. I should’ve been here more. I should’ve moved back to Charleston after I graduated from school. I should have been a better sister.
“Hey.” Sam’s voice is gentle, too gentle, and it causes my heart to crack again. I don’t notice I’m crying until he wipes a tear from my cheek. “Don’t do that. Don’t beat yourself up for not beinghere as much. You and Ethan made things work on the terms that made sense for both of you. He never resented you for not being in Charleston, and he wouldn’t want you to be upset about it now.” Sam is only half right about all the turmoil I’m experiencing right now.
Sniffling, I say, “Thanks. Why are you so good to me?”
“Because you’re worth it.” Sam softly kisses my lips. “Now let’s eat. I even brought plum wine for you.” He winks at me and puts a little of everything on two plates.
Beaming at the mention of plum wine, I exclaim, “You, Samuel Harris, are a godsend.”
Once we finish eating, I try to delay the inevitable by drinking more plum wine. Sam catches onto my tactics and takes the bottle from me. “You can have this back once we’re finished.”
I just sulk at him.
“I’ll make you a deal.” I perk up a little, but I’m still pouting. “I’ll let you have half a glass once we tackle the closet and dresser, and then another half once we figure out what to do with the mattress.”
“I can think of a few things to do with the mattress.” I waggle my eyebrows at him. I’m a lightweight, so it doesn’t take much to make me tipsy, and apparently, one and a half glasses of plum wine is all that I need to hit on Sam.
