Page 14 of Lush Curves

“Of course. The assisted-living facility for adults with autism. He secured a spot? They’re hard to get, I heard.”

“Oh, yeah. Incredible admissions process, and we totally lucked out with the timing when an apartment opened up. Of course, Naomi has direct contact with Carly and her staff, and she heard about things before anyone else. She also put in a good word for Noah with the selection board, and said that he could actually contribute financially to his own apartment. And, well… sometimes the stars just all line up, right?”

“Indeed.” Sam thought about the fact that an accident that had hurt Noah had brought Annie back into his life, without warning or planning. It was a shit way for things to shake out – Sam wouldneverwish any harm on anyone, not even if it meant seeing Annie again – but maybe the stars aligned oddly in some ways. “Sometimes they really do.”

“So Carly’s Place isn’t cheap, but Noah covers most, Jax and Sarah cover some, I do too. Noah earns almost enough that he can pay all on his own, but if he did, he’d have nothing left in savings or investments, and we all agreed that’s not the way to go. So we all kick in what we can.”

“And Noah has a girlfriend?”

“Yeah. Callie. Amazing young woman.”

“And Sarah and Jax are engaged?”

Annie’s face lit up. “Yeah. I wasn’t keen on him at first, but now I think he’s the best thing to ever come into her life. He’s a damn fine man.”

“I agree.” Sam remembered Jax sitting next to Sarah’s bed for hours, for days, on end. He’d basically stopped living for those weeks when she’d been in a coma. “I liked him a lot.”

“They live together now, so I’m on my own in the house. The bills are way less ‘cause it’s just me, and of course, feeding myself isn’t much. I eat for free at the diner. It’s mostly crap, but I do get a few OK meals.”

“And you, Annie?” Sam held his breath for this next question. “You seeing anyone, now that the kids are out in the world?”

Annie lowered her coffee cup, stared at Sam. “Me?”

“You.”

“Ha!” Annie laughed. “No way, doc. I’m as single as they come.”

Sam fought down the urge to punch the air. “And why is that?”

“You kidding me?” She shrugged. “I’m pushing fifty now. I work in a lousy diner. I’ve never been anywhere or done anything. I didn’t even finish high school. I’m gaining weight at the speed of light, and my hair is going gray even faster thanthat. Men my age are going for women twenty years younger, and younger men are looking at twenty year olds who can rock bikinis. I’m just… I’m not reallyanyone’sidea of a hot babe.”

If there was one thing that Sam knew and understood, it was that opportunity came knocking in the strangest ways… and God knows, it was pounding down hisdamn doorright that minute.

“Noteveryyounger guy goes for twenty year olds, Annie,” he told her. “And you’re definitelysomeone’sidea of a beautiful woman.”

“Oh, you think so, huh?” She smiled at him. “You got his number?”

“I can do better thanthat. I can tell you where heisthis exact second. I can tell you hisname.”

“Shoot, doc. Lemme grab a pen and paper first.”

“He’s here, Annie.” Sam gestured at his own chest. “Righthere.”

Annie blinked. “What do you mean?”

“He’sme.”

“You –youwhat?” Annie almost choked on her coffee. “You think that I’m –I’m–”

“Beautiful,” Sam supplied. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

Annie’s mouth dropped open, hung there. She knew that it wasn’t the most attractive look that she’d ever plastered across her face, butcome on. Doctor Sam Frickin’ Innis was telling her that he found herattractive?Her, with her swollen ankles and jiggly thighs? Her stretch marks and caesarian scars? Her gray hair and wrinkles? This was utter bullshit and she knew it… but Sam didn’t seem like the type to make fun of her. This must just be a very bizarre form of flattery, him just being a nice guy to the fat, ugly, old lady whose kid got hurt that day.

“Well.” Annie set down her cup carefully, not wanting it to go crashing to the table. “That’s very sweet of you, Sam.”

“I’m not beingsweet, Annie.” He sounded almost angry now, and she was caught by surprise again at this kind, gentle man actually showing anger. “I’m telling you what I think about you. What I’ve thought for alongtime. Since the first time I saw you, actually.”

“Thefirsttime?” Annie recalled how she’d shown up in the E.R. in her stained, unflattering waitress’ uniform –God, I think that was the night that idiot threw a plate of fries at me, got off a direct hit, and the ketchup ended up everywhere– looking like nine kinds of hell. “That’s impossible. I was a walking disaster area.”

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