Page 25 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Do what you already do," Katherine adds. " Sprinkle everything with some handholding and some kissing. You'll be fine."

"That's easy for you to say," I mutter.

"Listen, just take it one step at a time," says Adam. "Don't embellish anything. Be honest."

"I'm having second thoughts," says Sam, looking at me.

"You're afraid we'll get found out?" I ask. "And then your family will hate me and see me as a liar?"

Sam immediately reaches for my hand.

"That'll never happen," he says. "They're going to love you."

When I serve myself some flan, I take a spoonful of it and offer it to Sam.

He takes a bite and closes his eyes.

“It's really good," he says.

"See," Katherine says, "that's what we're talking about. That sweet gesture goes a long way to show others how you feel about each other."

"It's just a bite," I say.

"Now, now, wait a minute," says Adam. "For the record, you dated Eric for over two years. I never once saw you share a bite of anything with him."

"And he was at the house every Sunday," says Katherine.

"Okay," I say. "I get what you're saying."

I look at Sam and smile. He smiles back because he knows exactly what I'm thinking. We eat off each other's plates all the time.

"Laila," Katherine says.

"Yes?" I ask.

"How do you know Adam and I are in love?"

"For the past six years, you've never stopped smiling. You two have never graduated from the honeymoon phase. You can't keep your hands off each other. You're always considerate of each other's time, feelings, and choices. You radiate love for one another. You're soulmates."

"Aah, that's beautiful," Katherine says, smiling. "I wasn't expecting so much detail. Thank you."

"I want what you have," I say. When I glance at Sam, I find his gaze fixed on me.

"Sam, what about you?" Adam asks. "How do you know Katie and I are in love?"

"I haven't known the two of you that long," Sam begins. "But since I've known you, you two seem happily married. You're together twenty-four-seven, and you don't seem to get tired of each other. Your children are thriving. You spend time with your families almost every day and for sure every weekend. You, Adam, you light up whenever Katherine is in the room. You're very attentive and affectionate with her. You touch her, you kiss her, you whisper in her ear a lot."

"True!" I exclaim, pointing at Adam. "You do that a lot."

We all laugh out loud when Adam leans over to Katherine, whispers in her ear, and flirts openly with her. My sister smiles and kisses Adam.

"What exactly do you whisper in her ear, Adam?" I ask, "I've wanted to know for years, but if it's something dirty, I don't want to know."

We all laugh out loud.

"When I returned to Cold Spring," Adam says, "I went to see Katie. I was nervous as hell. I stood outside her front door with a bouquet of roses in one hand and my heart in the other. I knew I loved her. And I knew she couldn't stand me. When she opened the door, I don't know what happened, but she was frozen in place. When I realized she wasn't going to give me a warm welcome or even a cold greeting, I stepped forward, kissed her on the cheek, and whispered in her ear."

"What? What did you whisper?" I ask, completely enthralled by his account of their first encounter after fourteen long years.

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