Sam stands at the counter, broad shoulders slightly hunched as he readies the blender, already dressed in running gear. He fills the space without trying to, all height and solid muscle. At six foot five, he’s easily the biggest member of Burnt Ashes, his frame heavy with strength.
I smile despite myself.
“Morning.”
He glances over, offering a small nod, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough to count. “Morning, Sera. Want a smoothie?”
I shake my head gently, moving past him toward the coffee machine. “Thank you, but I think I’ll stick with coffee.”
Trey did warn me that Sam fills those smoothies with all sorts of poisons, drugs, and other items of evil. I’m fairly certain Trey wasn’t being serious, but still, better safe than sorry.
“Fair,” Sam says, turning back to the blender. “One should be fine, just don’t go too heavy. Too much caffeine during pregnancy can cause issues. Had an aunt who caught hell from her OB/GYN over it.”
He measures a few scoops of what looks like flour, then switches the blender on with a sharp whir.
Oh, no…should I not be having coffee?
He must notice my hesitation, because he lets out a quiet chuckle. “Hey, it’s fine. Just don’t neck the whole pot.”
“Okay,” I say softly.
I busy myself with the routine. Water, coffee grounds, the familiar motions grounding me—while I steal the occasional glance at Sam. It hits me, suddenly, how little time I’ve actuallyspent alone with him. He’s always there, always steady. Trey seems to love poking him, like an annoying little brother.
I wrap my hands around my mug as the coffee finishes, turning slightly toward him.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Sam?” I ask softly. “Someone special? You can bring her here…I wouldn’t want to keep you from that because of everything that’s happening.”
He goes still for a second, then reaches for his glass before moving to sit on one of the stools.
He shakes his head.
“Nah, no…I don’t do the whole relationships thing.” He lifts his glass. “Not anymore.”
I don’t push. I just take the seat opposite him, curling my fingers around the warmth of my coffee, letting the silence sit where it needs to.
After a moment, he exhales lightly, like the words have been waiting anyway.
“I’ve been in love,” he says. “Decided the heartbreak wasn’t worth it.”
Something in my expression must give me away, because he huffs a quiet laugh, low and self-aware.
“It was a while ago. Just before we got signed.” His gaze drops briefly to his hands. “But…she was everything to me.” He looks away. “I guess some of us don’t get happy endings.”
My chest tightens.
I set my coffee down without thinking and stand, stepping into him before I can second-guess it, wrapping my arms around him.
He stiffens for half a heartbeat—like he’s not used to it—then his arms come around me, solid and warm, returning it.
“I’m sorry, Sam,” I murmur. “For what it’s worth…I think if you ever gave someone your heart, they’d be the luckiest person in the world.”
He lets out a quiet breath against my shoulder.
“Yeah?” he says, a hint of a smile in his voice. “Might have to take on your pretty boy husband, then.”
I laugh as I pull back, picking up my coffee again, the warmth of it spreading through my palms.
“I didn’t think I would ever have…” I gesture vaguely around us, at the house, at everything, “any of this. Or a man who would—could—love me the way Trey does.” My voice softens, a shy smile finding me. “But he doesn’t do anything halfway. When he gives his heart…he gives all of it.”
