“Yeah, I remember Ethan talking about how fun they are.”
“Well, it’s in three weeks, and I’m allowed to bring a plus one.” I look down at my fingers, fidgeting. “I’m hoping you’ll come with me?” I say it to the ground.
Sam steps forward, gently lifts my chin, and leans in close to whisper in my ear, “Are you asking me on a date, Kitty Kat?” Fuck, his breath on my neck does something to me every time.
“Ye… Yes.” I gulp.
Sam stands up straight and takes a step backward. “Ok. Sounds fun.” How does he go from making my knees quiver to nonchalance so quickly?
I recover from the whiplash and add, “It’s black tie, so you’ll need a tux.”
“I can make that happen, but,” Sam’s voice turns molten, “what will you be wearing?” His gaze sears into me, and I feel my body heat.
Ignoring his innuendo, I say, “A dress of some sort. I’m going to Columbia this weekend to visit Liv, and she’s going to take me dress shopping.”
“Oh.” His face drops. “You’ll be gone this weekend?”
“Yeah. I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t solidify plans until today.”
I know we agreed I was his, but I still don’t know how to navigate all of this. I don’t want to upset him with these last-minute plans. “Columbia is bigger, so they have a lot more options for dresses than Charleston does.”
He looks at me like he’s reading the emotions as they flit across my face. “Kat, I’m not mad that you’re going to Columbia. I’ve loved the time we’ve spent together. I feel like I just got you back, and I’m a little bummed that I won’t see you.” He cups my cheek with his palm and runs his thumb along my cheekbone. “I’m so happy you’re going to spend time with Liv. I know you miss her.”
Sam’s mouth is on mine before I can react; my body melts into him. His easy affection with me always surprises me. I know it’s because I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Sam steps away from me too soon and walks over to my bed, where he sits and removes his T-shirt before lying down. “Actually, some of my old friends have been bugging me about hanging out with them. This’ll be the perfect time for that.”
I stand rooted in place, just soaking him in, memorizing his features, the way he moves his body, the fact that he’s so comfortable removing his shirt with me.
“Friends have beenbuggingyou to hang out? Why haven’t you spent time with them?”
“Have you seen yourself?” He says in disbelief. “Why the fuck would I want to hang out with a bunch of smelly dudes when I can have this smart, compassionate, and gorgeous woman in bed every night?” He smiles confidently at me.
I’ve been staring at him too long when he sits up watching me. I feel the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks as I walk over to the bed. “Oh my God, don’t ignore your friends!” He laughs but doesn’t say anything.
Sam’s been sleeping over since that first night when he helped me move Ethan’s things out. It’s weird how we went from not seeing each other to sleeping together in Chicago to Sam moving back to Charleston and sleeping in my bed every night. It feels too fast and not fast enough.
We have a comfortable routine, and it's been nice to fall asleep in Sam’s arms and to wake up with him lying next to me. We eat a quick breakfast in the morning, and then one of us, usually Sam, cooks dinner.
We eat our dinner and then cuddle on the couch. Sometimes we read books together, and at other times we watch movies. But we always end up making out and then head to the bedroom, where Sam ravages my body and makes me see stars.
Now that Sam is working for himself, he rents an office from one of those office share places. I know it isn’t his ideal working space, but he seems happy with it for now.
When Sam left his large architecture firm in Chicago, a few of his clients followed him, and all of them have been sending referrals his way. He has plenty of work to keep him busy, but since he can set his hours and choose his projects, he’s always able to spend time with family, and with me.
I’m deeply in love with this man, even if part of me still thinks he’s just killing time with me until someone better comes around. And I’ll be devastated—heartbroken—when he decides he’s had enough of me.
The thought breaks my heart, it's all I can do to shield my expression from him. I turn onto my side, my back towards him.
Soon, I hear his breathing even out, and I know he’s asleep. It takes me a while to settle my mind enough to fall asleep finally.
Twenty-Seven Years Old
“Hey sis, how’s it going?” Ethan sounds tired when he answers my call.
“You sound tired.” I’m sitting at my desk, staring at my computer screen.
“Yeah. I didn’t sleep well. I had a long day at the office, and I didn’t work out, and ate like shit. But I know you didn’t call me about my sleeping habits,” he chuckles. “What’s up?”
