Page 51 of And Then Came You

His temper riles my own. What the fuck? I’m the one who looked like a fool last night. This morning, I give him an out and he’s acting all self-righteous?

Screw him. Screw Sam and his hypocritical ideals.

“Caroline said that you’re traveling in Europe for the next month. You won’t be back in New York for a while.”

Sam averts his gaze. Now he won’t even look at me. “Yep. Headed across the pond. Can’t wait.”

Biting back tears, I shrug and force a smile. “Be safe, huh? Promise me, that you’ll always be safe. I worry about you when you’re so far away.”

Finally, that green gaze swings in my direction, but instead of the softness I usually find there, it’s hard. Glaring. Angry. “I’m a big boy. I can handle myself.”

With a last nod and an awkward hug, I walk back to the car, knowing this is likely the last time I’ll ever see Samuel Bernard.

The thought rips my heart apart like a razor, leaving every drop of love for him to drain away, with no chance of being reciprocated.

Chapter Nine

Sam

“Apackage arrived for you, Sam.” Caroline deposits the box on the sofa next to me, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Thanks.” It’s the most enthusiasm I can manage today, or any day since that weekend in Montauk.

Since I kissed Lexi, only to have her not remember it the next morning.

Unlike her, every second of that incredible kiss is etched in my brain—the sweetness of her mouth, that ridiculously talented tongue, that tight pussy, so wet and inviting.

I also can’t forget how Almira’s surprise appearance ruined our evening, or the look on Lexi’s face when she stormed away. Doesn’t matter though, since Lexi claimed she was so drunk that the evening was a hazy mess.

All I know is my friendship with Lexi is beyond strained, and neither of us has said a word to the other in a week. I think about her, though, worrying if she’s safe and happy.

Terrified that she’s met someone who doesn’t deserve her.

Someone who will take her from me. I’m no fool, I know most men are far too jealous to allow their significant other to be friends with a guy. Especially a guy like me.

Once some lucky guy scoops her up, I’m getting kicked to the curb.

If I haven’t already.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Caroline is still hovering, and I shrug in her direction. “Anything else I can do for you?”

“You could try being a human being again.” She stands, grabbing a pair of scissors from the drawer. “It’s from Lexi.”

I grab the box to me, prying it open and half expecting a live cobra to jump out and bite me on the face.

Instead, I find a large box with gold embellishment and a letter on top.

Sam,

Even if our friendship is on rocky terrain, I had to fulfill this promise.

You deserve to know his stories. They’re your stories now.

All my love,

E.T.

Ismile, my finger tracing over her nickname. Pulling out the interior box, tears fill my eyes. It’s a scrapbook. But it’s more than that. It’s my grandfather, brought back to life through my friend’s caring hand.

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