Page 53 of Whispers on the Water

That’s not what I want or need to hear. “He lied to me. And about the one thing—”

“I would have done the same thing in his position.” I’m already getting off the bed, not willing to let her defend the guy that changed everything. “Don’t you dare walk away, Sam. He knew right where you were for months. Slept next to you nearly every night and never said a fucking word to his boss. You know he’s probably going to get charged with obstruction for that?”

I didn’t know that and felt a stab in my chest that was oddly reminiscent of guilt. But that can’t be right. Why should I feel guilty? For doing something just for myself? For leaving him and my friends in the lurch, forcing them to come to my rescue?

Fuck. Yep. It’s guilt, and I don’t like it. Tilly must recognize the look of realization on my face because a small smile graces her lips.

“Good. I’ll go get him and explain that you’ll take the deal then.” My jaw drops at her coming to that conclusion with just a look on my face, but I shouldn’t be surprised. She knows me well.

Tilly hopped to her feet, a spring in her step at the victory she’d managed with only a few words. Without arguing, I watch as she goes to the door and opens it up. There’s a short, muffled conversation before she returns with Greg in tow.

They both look at me expectantly. “I’ll, erm, take the deal.”

The corner of Greg’s mouth tilted up, and my heart nearly stopped. Patented Greg Sanderson smirk. Half the reason I feel for the damn man in the first place. “That’s good, Sam. Really good.” Our eyes meet, and I immediately know it’s a mistake.

Everything around me fades away. A thousand scenes run through my mind; Greg chasing me through his apartment only to set me on the kitchen counter when he finally caught me, kissing Greg in the ocean, cuddling him on the couch. So much emotion floods through me that my breathing turns shallow. I didn’t just miss my best friend. I missed this beast of a man leaning against the old desk in my hotel room. Too much.

It takes a well-timed fake cough from Tilly for us to break eye contact. My face flushes as I realize how long we’ve all been quiet.

“I’ll just make my call then.” Greg pulls his phone from his pocket and points to it awkwardly to emphasize his point. Instead of leaving the room as I expected, he starts pacing the room, running his hand through his dirty blonde locks.

And now I’m picturing my hands in it. How feathery the touch would be, how his eyes would close in pleasure as I tug on the ends. He ends his call and looks at me. The bloom of heat on my cheeks gets worse. “They’re getting us on the next flight to Monterey. We should be ready to go in case it leaves soon.”

I nod because speaking is a dangerous idea right now. Things might get blurted out. Ideas that have no business rushing into this somewhat serious conversation.

“We should watch something,” Tilly adds. Shit. I had honestly forgotten she was in the room. All my focus has been on the incredibly sexy surfing sex god walking around.

But Greg agrees and settles on the mattress next to Tilly. Their legs are touching, but Tilly doesn’t move. Though I know it’s stupid, I can’t tear my eyes away from it. What the actual hell? Did Greg and Tilly…

The pair of them answer the question for me when Greg tries to take the remote out of Tilly’s hand. She smacks his hand. “Ow, asshole. That hurt,” he says.

“Quit being a dick then. I’m picking the show cause you have terrible taste,” she said. He laughs but snatches the remote away anyway.

They’re… friends? What I’m witnessing is more than that. Not friends. Like siblings. My heart is in my throat at the realization. When I left, they barely tolerated each other.

My best friend and Greg became close in my absence. Tangling my hands on the bedspread, I have to anchor myself in place. Otherwise, I’m going to run into his arms. The room is still quiet, unsettling as it is. I know that I’m making it weird. But what the hell am I supposed to say? ‘I see you and Tilly are friends now. Marry me?’ Even thinking about it has me shaking my head.

Trying not to think about it, I watch the TV, but it could be off for all I can’t tell. Twice, I allow myself to look at him; both times, he is already staring at me.

Tilly’s sudden movement breaks through my wandering thoughts, her energy palpable as she sits up. “Alright, I can’t take the sexy looks and silence anymore.” Her gaze shifts to Greg. “Greg, would you like to speak with Sam alone?” His nod, accompanied by a slightly annoyed expression, reminds me of his normal everyday grievances. Occasionally, that look would cross his face when I’d make him coffee with too much sugar. Something I did on purpose to elicit what I considered a cute response.

Then, Tilly turns to me. “Sam, would you be okay with talking to Greg with me gone?” I find myself nodding, the prospect of being alone with Greg stirring a mix of anticipation and anxiety within me. Tilly’s departure is swift after that. As she’s heading out the door, she winks over her shoulder. “Okay then. I’ll go figure out dinner for thirty minutes. Have fun!” she calls out, leaving a trail of her infectious optimism behind as she exits the room. As soon as the door is closed behind her, Greg and I are alone. The air immediately charges to a bubble of unsaid words and unexplored feelings.

Oh god. I’m not ready for this.

At least I know how this ends: me saying something entirely stupid or worse, throwing myself at him.

Chapter thirty-three

Greg

As the plane to Mexico City took off, Tilly had made it clear she intended to leave Sam and me alone together. I initially thought she might be joking, but I’ve come to understand that Tilly doesn’t joke about such matters. Her presence had been a source of comfort in the tumultuous weeks following Sam’s disappearance. Something I never would have expected. But between her and Tommy, who took turns because the idiots are still not talking, I survived the love of my life abandoning me.

Initially, I only stuck around because I knew Sam would eventually talk to Tilly. But our time together bloomed into a very real friendship. It’s built on our mutual love for Sam, though it’s much different at the root, and now, I can’t imagine coming on this trip with anyone else.

Sam’s resilience, however, surpassed anything I could have anticipated. She remained out of contact, leaving Tilly—and, by extension, me—adrift in uncertainty and worry. Our shared concern for Sam deepened our connection, a bond forged through shared stories and mutual affection for her. Tilly once confessed she knew I was right for Sam the moment she saw us together. That, more than anything else, made me love Tilly like the little sister I never knew I needed.

Now, with Tilly stepping out, leaving us alone, I almost wish her plan had been a joke. Facing Sam in such an intimate setting is daunting.

---