Sam laughs. “I remember those days. I hated taking Lennox shopping because I always had to buy her something when we went.”
“And if you didn’t it’d be an epic meltdown?”
I stand, crossing my purse over my shoulder and following Sam to the door.
“You know it.”
“When do they grow out of it?”
Stepping outside, a wall of heat greets us. Even in the early evening, it’s still hot. But I love it. These are my favorite kind of summer days. Where the light clings to the mountains, not setting until late and letting fireflies dance in the sky.
“Lennox stopped when she was ten. But she also hated me at that point, so that might have had something to do with it.”
I wince. “Well, I hope Max won’t ever hate me.”
“I think you’ll be just fine, Joey.”
I stop at my car and rest my ass on the hood of the old beat-up sedan. It’s seen better days, but at this point, I can’t afford much else. “Thanks for rescuing my night, Sam.”
He stuffs his hands in his pockets, eyes crinkling as he smiles at me. A bright white smile that I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon.
“Any time.” He winks and is gone.
Butterflies let loose in my stomach.God damn it.
Tonight was better than any date I could have imagined. I want to wait at the Emporium every night in the hopes of getting to see Sam. To talk with him. Look at him. Breathe the same air as him.
I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from calling out after him as I get into my car. There’s nothing I want more than to keep this night going. Maybe get a drink with him.
But that’s a dream. One that I need to shut down.
Having a crush on my dad’s best friend is a bad idea. They’ve been playing poker together since before I could walk. I have no claim to this man.
I need to set my sights on someone who is more appropriate for me. Not someone twenty years older than I am who will only bring trouble into my life.
But this is exactly what Serena was talking about—chaos coming into my life. I don’t need chaos. My life is chaotic enough as it is being a single mom.
And Sam would definitely bring chaos.
But damn, if I don’t wish I could have some chaos…at least for one night.
Chapter Five
SAM
“Iowe you big time, Bob. I know we’re not supposed to get our delivery until next week, but that old barn ruined everything.”
I throw my hand out for the owner of the feed store to shake.
“I’m glad I can help out.”
I slam the tailgate of my truck and head back to hop in the cab.
Fucking roof.
Kade and I were out there last week. We thought the temporary roof would hold through the rain this week.
It didn’t.
