Relief washed over Sam as he rested his hand on her face and leaned in and kissed her, picking up where they had left off the night before. A soft moan escaped Maya’s throat. He pulled back. “What do you think?”
“I think if you’re trying to get out of this, that kiss is not helping your case.”
“What about Deepak-mama?” Sam tucked back a flyaway lock of her hair.
Maya dismissed him with a wave. “He’ll do what my mom says. She told him to keep an eye on me. But apparently my cousin has a secret love life, too. So...whatever.”
“Why do I smell chlorine?”
“I went for a swim this morning after my mom called. It’s stress relief.”
Sam pulled Maya closer still, and pressed his lips to hers once again, and was rewarded with her ready response. The scent of chlorine on Maya was new, but not unwelcome. “So is this.”
“Eww. Sammy, are youkissingMaya?” Ben’s voice was filled with all the disgust his eight-year-old body could muster.
Sam groaned as Maya jumped back from him. “These interruptions have got to stop.”
AFTERWORK,ANDafter stealing a few more kisses with Maya when the kids weren’t looking, he made his way to the mall. Excitement put a bounce in his step as Sam realized he was taking his future into his own hands for the first time. He paused at the jewelry store, where glass cases gleamed with all things gold, silver and diamond. Sam absently fingered the coin in his pocket before walking in. There was no question. This was what he wanted.
He searched the cases until he found exactly what he was looking for. When Sam pointed out what he wanted to see, the jeweler paused and drew his gaze over Sam, taking in the worn jeans and old T-shirt. Sam did not waver; he simply met the jeweler’s gaze, and pointed again at what he was interested in.
“Tell me about it—” Sam scanned the jeweler’s nametag “—Charles.” He tapped his fingers on the glass while he waited.
Charles shrugged and opened the case. He appeared to be in his midforties, with a ready smile and slight question in his eyes. After an almost imperceptible hesitation, he spoke quietly. “Well, you have great taste,” he said. “On your first try, you picked a very high-quality diamond in an eighteen-karat gold setting, and at just shy of one karat, it’s a reasonably sized engagement ring.”
“How much?” Sam bit the inside of his cheek when he heard the price. He could probably squeeze in a few more goalie training sessions per week and finish his uncle’s remodel ahead of schedule so he could get another job. At his silence, the jeweler showed him a smaller ring, of lesser quality.
Sam shook his head at him. “No. It’s the first one. That’s the one.” Sam leaned his elbows on the case and spoke softly. “I’ll just need you hold it for a bit, until I can—”
Charles held up a hand to silence him. “Not a problem, son. We do it all the time.” Sam left his name along with a deposit and headed out, light and happy, on his way to see Maya.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SAM
Maryland, 1996
“COMEON,” SAMSAID. “It’ll be fine. I promise.” He kissed the soft underside of her wrist to reassure her and spoke against her skin. “My parents don’t bite.”
“Yeah...” Maya’s hand went slack from his kiss, and goose bumps appeared on her arm. She shifted her gaze to the house. They were sitting in the Civic, in front of his parents’ house. Those honey eyes were—nervous. “I thought we were going to a game.”
“We are.” He loved the idea of being the one who gave her goose bumps, but right now didn’t seem the time. Instead, Sam squeezed her hand. “It’s just that...” He turned in the driver’s seat to face her. “It’s just that my dad really wants to meet you.”
Her brows knit together. “Why?”
“Why?” Sam chuckled. “Seriously?”
Her blank stare made it apparent she had no idea.
“Because.” Heat crept up his neck, but he ignored it. He cupped her cheek in his hand and focused on her eyes. “Because he knows I’m in love with you.”
Her small, lopsided grin made an appearance as she leaned her face into his hand. “What?” The word came out on a breath.
He knew she’d make him say it again. It didn’t matter: he’d say it as many times as it took. “I love you.”
She smiled at him for a moment before her face clouded over. “So, he wants to check me out? See if I’m good enough?” She was spewing words so fast, Sam had trouble keeping up. “Oh my God!” She pulled out of his reach, and covered her mouth with her hands. “So I’m likemeeting-your-parentsmeeting your parents?” She turned on him. “You could have warned me!”
Sam stared at her, trying to figure out what was happening. Had she even heard what he said? She must have, because she was freaking out right now. “Maya.” Sam spoke as if he were trying to calm a cornered animal. “It’ll be fine.Ilove you. They’ll love you, too. I promise.” He took both of her hands between both of his and held them steady.
