Page 74 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Good night, Sam," she says, handing me all three.

"Can I still kiss you?" I ask, wanting nothing more than to touch her.

She looks at me and smiles.

"Kiss me," she says.

I put the bedding on the couch and wrap my arms around her. Tonight, she's wearing a tank top. I lean down and kiss her shoulder first.

"What?" she asks when she sees me smiling.

"Did Eric ever kiss the birthmark on your shoulder?" I ask, caressing it with my thumb.

"I don't think Eric ever noticed it," she says. She's so beautiful that I have a hard time keeping eye contact with her.

"Do you remember the day we met?" I ask.

"I do," she says, "You had just started working at Loren's studio. I was in the front room talking with her when you walked in carrying some ceramic pieces. I remember you almost tripped."

"Do you know why I almost tripped?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "No, I have no idea."

"It was the effect you had on me from the moment I saw you. I don't think I've ever met anyone as beautiful as you."

She doesn't say anything, but her emerald green eyes are asking for a kiss. I kiss her cheek, the tip of her nose, and her forehead before kissing her beautiful, full lips. Her eyes are closed, her body is relaxed, and her breathing is steady. She trusts me. I'm slow and thorough, but I'm also keenly aware of the fact that I can't ever get carried away again.

The next morning, I'm out of the room by six, leaving her sleeping soundly. I rub the back of my neck, thinking about how uncomfortable the couch is, but that's not what kept me up all night. The woman I'm in love with is a virgin.

The day is a big blur. Besides the fact that I hate golf, I'm distracted by Laila's revelation.

I remember my careless words to her, "When was the last time you slept with Eric? Was it months ago, weeks ago, or the night before you broke up with him?" I'm such an idiot.

When we all sit down for brunch, my dad asks, "What's on your mind, Son?"

"Is it that obvious?" I ask.

Everyone, except for Luke's best man, looks up from their menu and stares at me.

"It's obvious that you're in love," says Luke.

"We all know the look," says Andrew, "because we've all been there."

"So, what's the problem?" asks Dad, settling into his seat.

"Besides five thousand miles?" I ask. "Let me see, Laila is about to move to Boston. She's going to start her residency as a pediatric doctor. It'll be an exciting, life-changing experience."

"And you don't know where you'll fit in," says Pops.

"If she loves you, she will make room and find time for you," says Grandpa Martin.

"Must I remind you all of what happened with my last relationship?" I ask.

"I didn't know you back then," says Luke, "but even I have heard the story."

"Yeah," I say, "I'm sure my little sister hasn't held back any of the unfortunate details of the nightmare I lived through."

"Patricia wasn't the one for you," says Grandpa Martin, "It's even clear to me how focused she is on her career."

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