Page 62 of In a Pinch

“But, like, you can’t tell anyone. Not even Isla.”

She shifts her stance, eyeing me questionably. I’m sure she’s wondering what big secret I could possibly be keeping from my best friend.

But she nods her head in understanding. “Wow. So, like, top secret, for real.”

“Yeah, like, super secret.”

“Okay, my lips are sealed. Spill the tea.” She motions, zipping her lips and throwing away the key.

“I think…I’m dating your brother.” My face pinches with nerves, and my body shifts slightly, ready to defend myself, just in case she doesn’t take this as happy as I hope she does.

“What?!” Her arms drop from mine, and her mouth falls open. She opens it and closes it a couple times, trying to find more words that never come. Behind the shocked face lies the tiniest smile, which makes my nerves ease.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure what to call it.” I add on, just in case. Also, we haven’t specifically said it, but I do know I would throw hands if another girl tried to steal my man. So, that sounds like commitment to me.

“Have you slept with him?”

“Oh, yeah.” Smiling, I nod my head.

“Ew, gross.” She squishes her face. Her arms relinking with mine, she stands in front of me. “So, wait. How are you not sure if you’re dating?” She tilts her head to the side.

“Yeah, like, we haven’t talked about it, but it feels real enough to assume that’s what it is. So, for now, I’m doing that.”

She nods her head, taking in the new information. “Interesting. Why can’t Isla know?”

“Well, after the whole thing with your wedding and him not coming, she doesn’t like him. And I don’t want her to be disappointed in me.” And I am pretty sure it would make me angry to hear her say anything else about Sam. But I keep that part to myself. I’ve grown pretty protective of my big guy.

I’m not even sure why I told Liv. She gives off cool, big sister vibes, which reminds me of my sister, Sarah. And people can’t help but want to tell their sisters their deepest and darkest secrets. And I’m drunk. I think it’s more of the latter. I should get some water before I sell myself out on anything else.

“For what it’s worth, I think you guys could be really good together. Sam is great. He has always had the softest heart. It breaks mine that the way things played out ended up hardening his. You’re good for him. Happy.”

Her words of approval lift some bit of apprehension and make me glad I shared it with her. And glad that, despite his beliefs, some of his family see him as I do. Funny, kind, and caring. A bit of an ass, but I would say that I think it’s more of an act. A way to shield himself from the assholes around him.

“Thanks.”

She squeezes my arm before letting go, swaying to the beat. I look over and see Isla with a drink in her hand, dancing with a new group of random girls. I’ve always thought she was the life of the party. She’s my best friend and is impossible not to have fun with, but her solo Hawaii trip brought out a whole new side of her, and I love it.

My thoughts drift to Sam as Liv’s words settle in. She sees Sam like I do. The good. The kind. The hardworking. Maybe, just this one time, Isla is wrong and I am right. Sam has shown up for me every time I needed someone. No strings attached. He doesn’t judge me for my failures, and only reminds me of who I am—who I was before my world got flipped upside down. A life with Sam sounds better with each day that passes.

My mind gets pulled back to where we are, as Liv drags me along to make our way to Isla. We get lost in the beat and shuffling of bodies around us. Girlish giggles wiggle their way up our throats. The night gets blurrier, and our smiles get wider. For the first time all year, I think I’m starting to get things back into perspective.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Sam

Atrickle of nerves enters my body. I haven’t seen Addie since before her long weekend with the girls. She didn’t get back until late Monday night, then crashed at Isla’s. Tuesday, work was insane, and I left an hour late. We were training new staff, and the kitchen was a disaster. I didn’t feel right leaving the closing crew with such a shit show. So, I worked until 1 a.m.

Now, it’s been almost a week since she’s been back, and I’m waiting on her inside my apartment, like a fucking puppy dog. What the actual fuck has happened to me?

Her time away reminded me of what a sad bastard I was before her. Not that I don’t appreciate all that she is when she’s here, but distance makes the heart grow fonder. So, I spent my time away from her planning a date along the coast. We’ll ride on mybike along the highway facing the water, and then have a dinner reservation at a little hole in the wall with the best Italian food known to man. There’s a table there that has great views of the water. I pulled every string I have to get that specific table. The owner loves Flambé, and when I called him Monday, he said he would make it happen. There will not be a stone unturned for my girl.

God, it’s been a while since I called someone mine. I don’t know how anyone can come in contact with Addie and not want in on it. She’s as beautiful inside as she is out. It’s probably why I couldn’t stay away from her. Why I couldn’t dislike her, even when I wanted to.

I pace around the kitchen, trying to waste time. She said she’d be here right after she got off work. Looking at the clock on the stove, I see she’s literally been off for an hour. Her apartment is, like, ten minutes from mine. Knowing her, she started a project thinking it would only take her “a minute.” One Addie minute is ten minutes in real time. The fact that she thinks she never runs late is laughable.

“Yoo-hoo!” Addie yells, coming through the door. Her red, curly hair is slightly disheveled, and I can tell she was hustling up the stairs to get here.

“You had three minutes before I was calling the authorities to turn in a missing person’s report.” My arms wrap around her.

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