His eyes lit with humor and that dimple came out to play. “I heard you screaming from my apartment. I thought the ceiling must be caving in.”
She laughed. “Whoops. Guess I got a little carried away.”
He smelled faintly of leather and some pleasant earthy scent. His hands still warmed the small of her back and the spot between her shoulder blades. She slid her hands down, pressing his lapel—then realized he didn’t have a lapel.
She gave his chest an awkward pat, then drew away. “My heart’s beating so fast. Because of the email, I mean! The good news,” she added, just to be clear. She turned away and winced. Although, yes, it had felt very nice to be wrapped in his arms.
“No, you should be. That’s, uh, some great news, Sadie.”
“You want to stay for dinner? I was getting ready to make something, and I’m in the mood to celebrate. I splurged on a couple of steaks. They’re in the freezer but I could thaw them out really quick and grill out—if you don’t mind showing me how, that is.”
“That sounds great but”—he rubbed his neck—“I actually have plans tonight.”
“Oh.” Her stomach sank a little, but she forced a smile. “That’s okay. No worries.”
He checked the time. “We’re still going to the bank in the morning though, right?”
“Right, yeah, of course. It opens at nine. That won’t interfere with your schedule?”
“I’ll make it work.” He backed toward the door.
Come back.Stay with me. Celebrate with me.She took a step toward him, then blinked. What was wrong with her? Since when was she so needy for companionship? She’d always relied on her female friends, especially Caroline, to fill that role.
He opened the door and turned, flashing that dimple again. “Congratulations again on your proposal. I hope the rest of the team likes it.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Sadie laid her hand over her heart as she watched him go, feeling it throb against her palm. When had she gotten so attached to Sam? And why was it that when she had her happiest news in weeks, she most wanted to share that moment with her neighbor?
Twenty-Three
Give your protagonist setbacks so the reader will keep flipping pages to find out if she prevails.
—Romance Writing 101
All that for nothing.
Sam opened the bank door for Sadie, and she stepped out into the bright morning sunshine. She’d even worn the most professional outfit she’d brought with her—an ice-blue fit-and-flare dress. She’d twisted her hair into a chignon and donned a pair of heeled sandals so she’d look as respectable as possible.
And still ano.
“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” Sam opened the passenger door of his truck.
“Not for lack of name-dropping. How can you not have any connections with the staff on an island this small?”
“It’s not as small as you think.” He closed her door and rounded the vehicle.
She was getting a headache. She took the pins from her hair and shook it loose.
Sam settled in the driver’s seat, staring at her strangely.
She blinked at him. “What?”
“Nothing.” His fingers fumbled as he started the truck.
“Now what are we going to do? The bank’s our only connection with the previous owner of that building.”
“Not necessarily. I was thinking while that guy pontificated about their privacy policy... Property sales are public record. We could find the man’s name online and possibly locate his family that way.”
