Page 28 of And Then Came You

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It’s been a week since I’ve spoken to Sam. He’s texted several times, but my only reply is an appropriate emoji.

That’s the safe route.

My emotions are jumbled and the lack of control pumps through my body like blood.

I even compiled a list of reasons why Sam and I are a terrible idea, and it’s lengthy. There are far more negatives than positives, even if the positives are the only ones that matter to my heart. It only left me more befuddled.

But tonight is for fun. I’m waiting on Caroline, seated in the same hole in the wall pub where I wowed them with karaoke. She and I have become fast friends, and while Sam is away on his latest jaunt, she’s got some free time.

Bonus, she’s spending it with me.

“Sorry. The train took forever.” Caroline swoops in, pulling me into a hug and motioning to the bartender. “How are you?”

“I’m three beers in, so I’m feeling frisky.”

“I’m so glad you invited me out. This is going to be so much fun.”

“Absolutely. I need more girl weekends. It seems the only time I have them is during conventions and those are few and far between. Besides, I prefer a more personal setting.”

“Agreed. When you spend your life trailing after Samuel Bernard, quiet moments are at a premium.” She cocks her brow, a knowing look on her face. “He asked me to send you flowers today.”

“Why?”

“You tell me. What did he do?”

“He didn’t do anything. His girlfriend, Sveta—”

“Ex-girlfriend.”

Huh, that’s new information. “She wasn’t happy catching me and Sam together in his room.”

Caroline’s eyes widen at my words. “You and Sam are together? I love it.”

I shake my hands, eager to stop this crazy train. “No, definitely not. We fell asleep after his Granddad’s funeral, and she walked in and found us. She was furious at first, but I reminded her that she and I aren’t even in the same league, so she needn’t be jealous of me.”

“Stop doing that,” Caroline commands, accepting her drink with a smile. “Never put yourself down.”

“I did it to calm her. She was irate.”

“Doesn’t matter. Don’t do it. I think you’d be great with Sam.”

I sputter my drink. I must have heard her wrong. “We’re complete opposites, and besides, I’m not Sam’s type. You are, though. Why haven’t you two gotten together?”

Caroline holds up her hand, snorting at the idea. “Stop right there. He’d drive me mad. Hell, hedoesdrive me mad. But since Sam met you, he’s calmer. Kinder. It’s like you peeled away the model facade and found his soft underbelly. You’ve made my job much easier. Until this past week, anyway. I knew you two were fighting because he’s been unbearable.”

“Sorry about that. I needed to put some distance between us.”

Caroline toys with the edge of her napkin, her gaze intent on her drink. “Do you have feelings for Sam?”

“Obviously, but not in the way you think.” Lie number one of the evening. Here’s hoping I don’t have to serve up many more of those. I get sloppy the more I imbibe, and there’s no telling what tale I may twist.

“I think that you’re not being completely truthful—to me or yourself.”

Now it’s my turn to avert my gaze. What can I say? I realized after I drove away from the farmhouse that my emotions had become tangled up in the tattooed bad boy. I knew from the get go it was a stupid idea, one that would most certainly end poorly. But hearts are fickle creatures. They tend to do what they want and damn the consequences.

Hence, the distance that now exists between Sam and me.

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