Page 302 of A Matter of Time

“These are keys to your place, right?” he asked, rolling them in his hand.

“Yeah. You should have a set.”

The muscles in his jaw clenched tight. “Thank you.”

“Are you okay?”

He nodded.

“Good.” I leaned up to touch his face. “Me too.”

He grabbed me tight and kissed me hard. Who knew a set of keys could make the man so happy?

That night, Sam had arranged for me to meet his new partner and her boyfriend for the first time. I wanted to make a really good impression, but I was so nervous that I did what I always did when I was either worried or bored—I drank. By the time Sam got to the restaurant with his guests and collected me at the bar, the hour’s head start that I had on them made it impossible for me to be anything but funny and charming as all hell. I was good tipsy and a fun drunk, so people were always torn between worrying about me getting wasted and enjoying the fun they had when I was. When I was drinking, I was the life of the party, and I realized that was how I wanted to be when I met Sam’s partner. I wanted her to love me.

Chloe Stazzi was warm and kind, and her boyfriend, Jason Cozza, was one of those strong, silent types. That I got him laughing surprised both her and Sam, and after that I could do no wrong. We went to sing karaoke after dinner, and I got Jason up on stage with me. Chloe fell out of her chair watching us sing “Love Will Keep Us Together” and then dance around on the stage. Sam was very pleased with me, but when he bought the next few rounds, I noticed I had a Long Island iced tea without the Long Island.

“What’s going on?” I asked him, trying to focus my eyes.

“You’re done,” he assured me. “You drink too much, babe, and if I’m gonna stop swearing, you’re gonna sober up.”

“Me? I drink too much?”

“Yeah.” He smiled evilly. “Ya do, and even though you’re cute as hell, we’re gonna cut this off.”

I waited for the lecture and the scowl, and waited, and then I realized it wasn’t coming. He wasn’t passing judgment on me, he was just stating the facts.

“You’re not mad at me?”

“Why would I be mad?” he asked, reaching for my hand and tugging me forward to stand between his legs. “You ready to let me take you home with me, hotshot?”

I stared down into his eyes.

“Your face is all flushed, and your pupils are huge.”

I was stunned. There was no yelling, no growling, and no threats…just Sam talking to me.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head. “I’m ready to go.”

“Good, ’cause just watching you is killin’ me,” he breathed, standing up, his hand going to the back of my neck, massaging as I let my head fall forward.

I leaned into him, and I heard the deep chuckle.

“I love the purring.”

“I think maybe I’m hungry again,” I said, suddenly ready to just sit and talk to him.

“Me too.” He wrapped his arm around my neck. “Come with me. Let’s find Chloe and Jason and see if they wanna stop somewhere and grab a late snack.”

At the car, Jason told me he loved me, and I quickly returned the sentiment. Chloe groaned loudly and laughed before giving me a big kiss and telling Sam I was a keeper—something about me being as big a pain in the ass as her man. I liked her so much. I was glad that Sam had had me meet his partner, and it was a nice way to spend a Friday night. I wanted everyone in his life to adore me. I was surprised when they didn’t wait for us but instead drove away.

“Wait,” I said, pointing after them. “Did you ask them if they wanted to eat again?”

“No, dear, you did.”

“I did?”