Page 34 of Fauxmance in the City

My heart leaps. How is Natalie here? She flew to Panama yesterday. For a moment, I think I’m in some parallel universe, and all of this is a bad dream.

I nudge the window open several inches, and I’m about to call out when I hear Sam speak. “Catie doesn’t deserve a sister like you.”

The freezing air that hits my face doesn’t sting as much as Sam’s comment. Crouching close to the opening, I pull a blanket from the settee and wrap it around me, eavesdropping.

“Did you go for a run?” Natalie points at Sam’s sneakers, track pants, and hoodie.

“Late last night. I needed to let off some steam.”

Bailey is outside, bouncing between them in the cold. Sam rubs his hand over the dog’s gray coat, and Bailey nuzzles his nose into Sam’s legs.

“Who’s this guy?” Natalie asks.

“Bailey. He’s a foster dog for the guy, Max. I guess he had a dog just like him growing up.”

“Any sign of Max’s memory coming back?” Natalie asks.

Huffing, Sam shakes his head.

“You don’t like him?” Natalie asks.

A sharp wind rattles the windowpanes, and I duck, unable to hear Sam’s response. When I pop my head back up, Natalie is talking.

“Why are you still in your running clothes if you ran last night?” Natalie asks.

“I slept in the mudroom with the dog.”

My shoulders relax slightly. The mudroom is better than what I imagined. I thought he left me and the whole charade behind, and I’d have to explain my disappearing husband on top of everything else. It’s another reminder of Sam’s loyalty. He may hate me right now, but he’d never abandon a promise. The truth of it hits me in the ribs like a punch.

Below, Natalie makes an expression I can’t see, and Sam laughs. Then she rubs her hands together and covers her ears for warmth.

“Here.” Sam hands her a black beanie from the front pocket of his hoodie. Bailey bounds down the steps and runs back and forth in front of them, oblivious to the cold.

“What happened with my sister?” Natalie asks. I move my ear to the opening. The freezing air stings the thin skin, but I dare not move.

“The same shit. Catie is just being…Catie.”

Natalie chuckles. “That’s exactly how our mom puts it.”

I can’t help the smile that lands on my lips. Mom does say that.

“I’ve always admired you, Nat. You do so much for Catie, and I’ve never heard you complain. Don’t you ever get tired of giving and giving and never getting anything back?”

“Whoa.” Natalie steps back. “Something happened last night.”

“It’s nothing.” Sam shrugs.

“Did you finally tell her?”

Sam’s head shoots up, and I practically lean out the window to make sure I don’t miss anything.

“I…” Sam looks down the block like he’s debating something. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, please. Everyone knows you’re in love with her.”

I gasp, and Natalie looks up. I duck under the windowsill and wait until I hear Sam speak before I pop back up.

“I’m not in love with her,” Sam says.

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