He slipped through the door and Sadie watched him go, the memory of that thick arm beneath her cheek filling her thoughts. How nice it had been to snuggle up with someone. Even if she’d been the one doing all the snuggling.
Rio let out a little whine.
Sadie kissed her head. “Know what, Rio? I think we like him.”
Seventeen
Minor characters enhance a story by revealing information or adding insight about your hero or heroine.
—Romance Writing 101
“I watched the ending of the movie,” Sadie announced the second she let Sam inside the house the following evening.
Delicious smells distracted him from her proclamation, as did Rio, who danced around his feet, clamoring for attention. Sadie was also a little distracting, her hair tousled around her face. She wore a pair of white shorts and a roomy watermelon top that kept dipping off her shoulder.
He picked up the dog and forced himself to focus. “And what did you think?”
“I loved the ending. It was so exciting. Now I need to read the book—but not until I’m finished with my story.” She headed toward the kitchen.
He followed, standing by the island while he scratched behindthe dog’s ears. Rio’s eyes fell halfway closed in bliss. “Speaking of your story, did you get your synopsis finished?”
“Yes, sir, I turned it in at noon, but I haven’t heard anything back from my agent or editor yet. I’m about to go mad with the waiting. Plus I haven’t heard from Mary either.” She gave him a hopeful look. “Did you, by any chance?”
“’Fraid not.”
She huffed as she stirred whatever was steaming on the stove top. “Argh! I mean, she disembarked this morning. Surely she’s checked her phone by now.”
“She’s probably been traveling all day. And you know how it is when you return from vacation—you’re swamped trying to dig out.”
“I know, but... what’s my agent’s excuse? How long could it take to read one measly page?”
She was kind of cute when she was impatient. “Maybe you should check in with her.”
“I already did. She probably wants to get my editor’s thoughts before she responds to me.” Sadie covered her eyes. “Or she thinks it’s the worst idea she’s ever heard.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. Hopefully you won’t have to wait till Monday to hear something.”
“Gillian will contact me on the weekend, no problem. But Erin is a business-hours-only kind of person, so if she hasn’t communicated yet with Gillian, I will end up waiting till Monday.”
“Sounds like somebody upstairs is trying to teach you patience.”
“Right?” She opened the oven and closed it again. “Now there’s a fun lesson.”
He glanced around the kitchen. “Could I do anything to help?”
“Could you set the table? It’s almost ready.”
“Sure.”
They chatted about the movie while he gathered the supplies. He knew where some of the basic dishes were since their placement mirrored his own apartment. Music played lightly in the background.
Ten minutes later they were digging into delicious servings of shrimp scampi. The dish burst with flavors: lemon, parmesan cheese, and a hint of garlic. “Wow, this is really good.”
“Thanks. I thought I’d take the opportunity to make some fresh seafood. This is a new recipe, but I might have to file it away for later. There’s a great seafood market in my neighborhood.”
“You definitely should.”
They kept up a nice running dialogue as they ate: family, business, New York, their faith. He felt Sadie studying him while they talked. She was easy to talk to and a good listener. Conversation flowed easily, putting him at ease.
