“Sami,” a female voice called out.
Sami turned to see Barbara sitting at a wooden picnic table. “Hey, Barb.” Man, her face started to heat. She wandered over and filched a cookie and bit in. Peanut butter filled her mouth, and she moaned.
Barbara grinned. “New cook. Nice, huh?”
“Yeah,” Sami breathed. “So, um . . .”
Barbara’s smile widened. “No need to explain. I heard you last night . . . who knew you were such a screamer?”
The heat turned to molten lava in Sami’s cheeks. “Oh God.”
Barbara snorted. “Yep. That’s what you screamed.”
Sami slapped her arm. “You’re sure you are okay with it? I wouldn’t do anything to hurt our friendship.”
“It’s a relief, to be honest.” Barbara leaned toward her. “Derek and I are trying to make a go of it. He’s just so solid, you know?”
Ah, they did make a good couple. Relief filled Sami and washed away the embarrassment. “Yeah, I do. I’m so happy for you.” Happy for herself, too. She could stop feeling guilty. “I have to go, but we should have a girly poker game one of these nights with Lynne and Vinnie.”
“I could use the money,” Barbara joked. She glanced up and a pretty pink flushed over her face as she caught sight of Derek. “Hi.”
The mechanic was about six feet tall and filled out his overalls well. He had blond hair and dark brown eyes, and right now, they were completely focused on Barbara. “Hi, beautiful.” He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her head.
Barbara breathed out.
Sami bit back a smile. They were just too cute. “Hi, Derek.”
The man glanced up, surprise filling his face before he smoothed it out. “Oh, hi. How are you?”
Totally invisible to the man, which was kind of cool. “Great.” Sami grinned. “You two have a great day.”
Derek nodded and dropped into the seat next to Barbara.
Okay, so that was awesome. Those two were totally in love. Sami turned for the infirmary, her mind back on Tace. Why hadn’t he waited to talk to her? Hurrying into the infirmary, she walked right into Jax Mercury.
He steadied her with hands on her biceps. “Slow down, would you?”
She stopped short. “Is Tace here?”
Jax pinned her with a hard look. “Good morning, Samantha.”
Why did she feel like she was back in second grade and called to the principal’s office when Jax used her full name? She planted both hands on her hips. “Good morning, Jax.” That was his full name, damn it.
“I’m thinking we need to have a chat,” Jax said, turning and striding past the former reception area. “After I check in on Damon.”
Sami followed him, more than ready for a good old chat. She’d told the truth, she’d apologized, and now they all needed to get back to normal. Raze had lied, too, and now everyone had forgiven him. “What was up with Damon yesterday, anyway?” She hadn’t expected the Merc to be so volatile after they’d patched him up.
Jax entered Damon’s room and motioned Sami inside before closing the door.
The Mercenary soldier sat up in the bed, his nicely muscled torso bare save for the bandages. His dark skin was no longer pale, and his soft brown eyes were clear. “Morning.”
Sami crossed her arms.
“How did I do?” Damon grinned.
“Awesome.” Jax knuckle-bumped him.
Sami frowned. “Did I miss something?”
