Page 24 of Finding Her Leading Man

Trevor sat down across from his sister. “Cheesecake does make everything better.”

“I shouldn’t have any with my diet.” Addie frowned. “Does it have that chocolate sauce on top?”

“And whipped cream,” Becky said.

Trevor leaned his elbows on the table and dropped his voice to a mock whisper. “We can split a piece if you want. The diet gods will never know you had any.”

Addie smiled in a way that always made him feel like the best big brother. Maybe that was his problem. Did he expect Samantha to do the same? Thank him, and do what he said? It was a new situation to be in with a woman. His past relationships never ventured into the darker sides of either his or the woman’s past—happy dates with sometimes great endings.

But he did want more from Samantha now. He wanted to know all about the ugly side of her past and see her move beyond it.

“What can I get you to drink?” Samantha stood beside Addie and just out of his reach. She glimpsed his direction but focused back on Addie.

Samantha had pulled her dark hair into a low ponytail. Small strands escaped, framing her face. She wore very little makeup and looked younger than before. Her worn black T-shirt said, “All That Jazz,” across the front. Surprisingly, he’d seen that show.

“I’ll take water. Eating at the diner is proving to be hard on my wedding diet. Nothing carbonated a month out from the wedding.” Addie nudged Trevor under the table.

He snapped his eyes away from Samantha. “Water is fine with me.” He looked back up as she walked away. “Why’d you kick me?”

“You were staring at her. I wanted you to say something. Compliment her. Do something!” Addie shook her head and sat back. “You do have a problem. I’ve never seen you act that way before.”

“What way?”

“Just dumbfounded. Starstruck, maybe, but I know that’s not the case. Your best friend is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now.”

He felt like everything he did was wrong with Samantha. She didn’t need him to flat-out hit on her, so that took away his usual game with a woman. She’d compared him to her ex when he tried to fix her problems. That left him in new territory. He sure as hell would make sure he didn’t end up in the friend category. He didn’t have that kind of willpower.

Samantha came back, carrying the two glasses of water. “Do you know what you want to eat?” Again, she looked only at Addie.

Addie raised her eyebrows.

“You look very pretty, Sam.”

Her eyes shot to his. He remembered about using her nickname and what she’d said. No one else around there used it.

“Thanks.” She tugged on the hem of her worn T-shirt. “Your order?”

“My mom is sending over a list of songs she wants us to consider.” He leaned both elbows on the table, pinning her in place with his direct stare. She didn’t back away. “Maybe we can decide by the end of our time together tomorrow, so I have time to learn whichever song we choose.”

She swallowed, her throat moving in a delicate way that broke his concentration for a second. “Okay.” Her eyes cut to Addie and back to him. “I wasn’t sure if we were still doing that after the way we left things.”

“Which part? Because I was a jerk or because you yelled at me?” He grinned, hoping to put her at ease, hoping he wasn’t too far off base with how he needed to act with her. “It will take a lot more than an argument to make me walk away. Especially from something I want.”

Her.

Addie sat up straighter. “Please don’t feel like you have to do any of the songs my mom sends to you. I really want it to be something you enjoy singing. You can sing a Disney song for all I care.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she murmured, her soft brown eyes still locked with Trevor’s.

Patience. That’s what she needed from him. Instead of telling her the ways she needed to change, he’d show her how she could change. He’d help her move on. He’d demonstrate every damn chance that he was nothing like Jasper. He liked that idea better. Fewer words and more action.

“Then bring a list with you tomorrow, and I’ll have mine and my mother’s. We can narrow it down to at least two.”

She nodded. “Alright. I’ll bring a few pieces.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Do you know what you want to eat?”

They both ordered, and Samantha walked away.

“I don’t know why you were worried. Once you figured out how to use your grown-up words, it’s obvious she likes you.” Addie took a sip of water. “I do think you need to watch being bossy.Iknow you have her best interest in mind, but she needs her freedom. I had a few issues similar to that to work through with Cameron at first.”

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