“I see.”
She smiled softly. “You’re just going to have to lift his spirits.”
“Have a good night, Maggie.”
Sam’s was the only apartment above the bookstore, so I heard him talking to his cat upon my approach.
“I’m not going to be good company, Bubbles. I should have said no or canceled, but he’ll be here any minute. Okay, I need to shake it off. There’s nothing I can do about anything today. All this anxiety is future Sam’s problem. Tonight, I’m going out to a movie with my hottie boyfriend and not going to think about anything else but him.”
He was anxious? Something he was waiting for? Perhaps he’d tell me on our date. I knocked on his door.
“Coming!” he shouted, and a few seconds later it opened. “Hey, Lukas.”
He held it open for me to come in. “Hi, Sam, you look nice.”
He was wearing a T-shirt that said “I prefer a life of fiction,” and slim black jeans. Casual but very Sam.
“And you look handsome as always.” There was a sassiness to his words and for a brief moment, I thought maybe I was overreacting. Then his happiness faded, and I knew I was right.
“Thanks. Ready for the movie?”
“Yes.”
He grabbed his wallet and keys and followed me out. The car wasn’t anything super fancy—a black Audi—and I wasn’t sure about it but Sam hummed in approval as he settled in the passenger’s seat.
The ride to the theater was quiet and while I didn’t favor idle chitchat, silence wasn’t the norm when I was in Sam’s orbit.
“What movie are we going to see?” he asked as we pulled into the lot.
“It’s some new action comedy. I thought it would be something you’d like, and I wouldn’t hate.”
He snorted. “Are you a popcorn hog? Should we get two?”
I didn’t eat popcorn—I wouldn’t eat anything, but I would get a drink. “No worries, I’m not a fan of popcorn.”
His eyes widened. “That doesn’t seem right.”
I parked and got out of the car with a chuckle. He joined me and as soon as we were face-to-face, I cupped his cheeks.
“I’m not going to push you. I won’t hound you, but I know something is bothering you. Tonight, just enjoy the movie and time with me. If you want to tell me what’s going on, I will be here to listen.”
If he denied anything was wrong I’d have to respect that, but he didn’t. He nodded slightly, difficult with me holding him firm.
“Good, let’s go.” I took his hand, and we walked into the building.
This would be torture for me, as I didn’t enjoy the movie theater. It startled me a little that I was actively doing things I hated and that Sam liked, just to make him happy. In my heart, I knew I’d never tire of making him smile, and him being upset about something unsettled me beyond words. I had to fix whatever it was.
Vincent had to be right; Sam was my eternal.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Sam
The movie was great,probably amazing…if I’d been able to stay focused. Lukas knew something was wrong. I’d tried to hide it, but clearly I sucked at that. Poker was never my game. Natalie had once told me that I wore every emotion on my face.
As promised, he didn’t push me. After the movie he asked if I wanted to go back to his place, even offered to get Bubbles and bring her. I wanted to say no and wallow in my anxiety. Then I realized, if I had to wait for time to pass, I couldn’t think of anyone better to distract me than Lukas.
Bubbles wasn’t a fan of leaving the apartment and less of a fan of the boat even though it wasn’t her first time on it. But the ride was quick and when I opened her carrier in the living room, she darted into a little house Lukas had purchased.
