“Sure. Pick one.” The girl had at least five pink dresses.
Niki could have been Sam’s little sister, as opposed to just a cousin, as they had the same skin tone, ready smile and soft chocolate brown eyes. Jeez, Maya really needed to get a life outside the bakery. Niki proceeded to try on each of her pink dresses, asking Maya for her opinion on each one.
“Which one, Maya?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Does that go for me, too?” Sam’s breath grazed her ear from where he stood—too close behind her.
Maya tried to ignore his clean scent as well as the heat from his body and focused on narrowing her eyes as she turned to face him. It seemed easier to not look at his face, what with his silly grin and laughing eyes. Not to mention the damp curls. But he was wearing an old concert T-shirt that was almost worn through, and had conformed nicely to the muscles in his arms and chest over time. She readjusted her gaze to his face and swallowed hard.That dimple!There was nowhere to look at him that was safe. “Sure, you can wear the pink dress if you want. It might be a step up from that T-shirt.”
He feigned hurt and shock. “What’s wrong with Hootie?”
Maya rolled her eyes and walked into the room to help Niki with her chosen dress.
“Seriously, Maya.” His voice was soft, almost hesitant. “Go out with me.” Like he was afraid she would say no like she had every day for the past two weeks. Valid concern. The amusement had left his eyes and was replaced with—hope? “What do you say?”
That was new. She smiled sweetly. “I’d love to, Sam.”
“You would?” He sounded as if he couldn’t believe his luck.
“Sure, except for the fact thatyou still have a girlfriend!” She glared at him, doing her best to convey the disgust she felt at him actually asking her out—repeatedly—while he was dating Bridget.
“So, if I didn’t have a girlfriend, you’d say yes?” He frowned, considering this.
Maya shrugged. “Sure? Why not?” What was the likelihood of that happening?
“He doesn’t have a girlfriend.” Niki’s muffled voice came from under her dress.
Maya’s heart pounded, and she fought to keep her face calm. “What?”
She kneeled to undo the buttons so the dress would go over the little girl’s head. Once Niki’s head was through, the girl continued. “Sammy doesn’t have a girlfriend anymore. They broke upagesago.” Niki paused dramatically and gave an eye roll worthy of a teenager. “We didn’t like her. We like you.” She leaned in toward Maya’s ear. “And so does Sammy.”
“So it’s a done deal.” Victory colored his eyes a dazzling brown as he grinned like a little boy. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Niki laughed with glee and ran to Sam for a high five.
“Is she your wingman?” Maya attempted indignation at being tricked, even as her heart lifted.
Sam was unapologetic. “She’s great at it!” He picked up Niki. “Two cookies for you, kiddo!”
CHAPTER SIX
SAM
New York, 2012
ATTHERESTAURANTlater that night, Sam pushed at his shrimp and rice, not really seeing it, not really caring to eat it. He made the appropriate sounds when Paige paused in her diatribe about the latest debacle in the wedding plans.
“Hey.” Sam started at Paige’s hand on his. “Where are you?”
“I’m sorry.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s that case...and my dad wants me to look into possible nursing home fraud...” He sat up and pointedly focused on her, as if to make up for the lie. “But I’m back—you were saying?”
Paige shook her head. “Honestly, I love your dad, but doesn’t he understand how important your work is? You can’t be running around doing pro bono stuff—”
“It’s fine, Paige. I really don’t mind. Now, you were saying?” Arguing with Paige about small-time lawyering was not going to help his distraction.
She sipped her wine and continued her story about being sent the wrong linens, and how the centerpieces wouldn’t work now. They were trying to combine a Hindu ceremony with a Catholic ceremony, which, as it turned out, was no small feat. Luckily, Sam’s mother and Paige both loved a challenge, as well as each other, so Sam let them be.
