Page 117 of And Then Came You

He grips my chin, tipping my face up. “What happened? I called about a million times, but you never answered. You weren’t in your room, either.”

“I turned off my phone and fell asleep. The noise bothers me during a migraine. I’m sorry if I worried you.”

“Can we talk?”

I glance up at the participants streaming into the conference room. “I’m late, Sam.”

“I don’t care. This is too important to wait any longer.” Gripping my shoulders, Sam captures my gaze, daring me to look away. “Are you in love with me, Lex Lex?”

“Please don’t ask me that.”

“I deserve to know. After everything, Ineedto know.”

“Does it matter?”

“It matters to me.”

I rip my gaze from his riveting stare, opting to focus on the microscopic paint chip on the wall. I scratch it with my thumbnail, opening up the wall’s wound in the same way I’m about to rip apart my own heart.

“Lexi... please.” Sam’s voice is quiet and beseeching, and I know I can’t deny him this truth.

When I meet his gaze again, tears shine in my eyes. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time, Sam. I know we’re friends—and I love being your friend. I didn’t plan on falling in love with you. It just happened, because you’re this amazing human being that I’m so lucky to have in my life. I fought it for a long time, but my heart couldn’t hold out against you. I know the reality. This is all on me. I get that. I own it. And I don’t regret a single second, but I just have to get over it. Over you.”

“Lexi—”

I can’t give Sam room to speak right now. To explain his stance. To further break my heart.

It’s broken enough.

“I have to go.” I kiss his cheek, lingering just long enough to breathe in the scent that is intrinsically Sam. “We will always be friends. We have a deal, remember? That will never change.” I squeeze his hand, yanking my fingers back when he refuses to release them. “I’ll see you later. We’ll grab a beer and actually watch the game this time.”

* * *

Ihear the murmuring as I enter the room, but I’m in no mood to field questions about my date with Sam. Not now. Not ever.

Sam asked for my truth, and I gave it to him. Now, we’ll have to see if he wants to continue our friendship. He might hightail it back to London after this weekend. Maybe that would be for the best, even if it shreds my heart to consider.

The whispers increase and I glance up, my heart leaping into my throat when I see Sam standing in the middle of the room.

The head of the panel, a talented author named Margaret, smiles at Sam. “What a surprise. Will you be joining us this morning?”

Sam smiles in return, but I see the tension lining his mouth. “I need to speak with Lexi. It’s urgent. It’s about our date. There’s a whole lot of confusion surrounding the events of last night and I need to straighten them out.Now.”

My stomach flutters as the blood pounds in my ears. “Let’s go outside, and we can talk.”

“Right here is good.”

The trembles reverberate through my body, but I force a nod of agreement. I keep my private life private. I pride myself on maintaining a firm line of demarcation. Here’s to stomping all over that concept. “What do you want to say?”

Sam takes a few steps forward, his hands shoved in his pockets, a look of exasperation on his face. “You’re so intelligent, Lexi. Honestly, one of the smartest women I’ve ever known. And witty, your sarcasm is always on point.”

Great. Here’s a long list of all the things he loves about me, right before he smashes my heart under his heel. “Thanks.”

“But with this situation”—he motions between us—“with us, you’re clueless.”

A second round of murmurs sweep through the crowd. Thanks, Sam, for giving these ladies such amazing fodder for their sewing circles.

Lucky for me, he isn’t done.

---