Page 24 of Big Pitch Energy

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s the one who left, so he should be the one to come back. Besides, it’s no secret where I am a good chunk of the year. I’m not exactly hard to find if he was looking.”

I gave his hand a light squeeze, then let go. He didn’t say anything else, but I could tell it wasn’t the first time he’d told that story, just maybe the first time in a while.

We finished eating in a thoughtful kind of silence, not heavy exactly, but it lingered. The server came back to clear our plates and asked if we had room for dessert. I leaned back with a laugh and rested my hand on my stomach.

“I’m stuffed,” I said.

Sam handled the check, and when we stepped outside, the night air felt cool and fresh. He looked over at me and tilted his head toward the water.

“Want to walk a bit?”

I smiled.

“Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

Sam walked beside me, our shoulders occasionally brushing as we followed the curve of the riverwalk. The lampposts cast pools of amber light every twenty feet or so, just enough to guide our way without drowning out the stars above.

“So did you come down here a lot when you lived in Wilmington?” he asked.

“When I first moved here I did, but after that, not so much. Especially after I decided to move and wanted to save money, so it wasn’t in my budget.” I shrugged, glancing out at the lights reflecting off the water. “I lived here for almost six years. That’s actually the longest I’ve lived anywhere.” I smiled a little, like I was letting him in on a secret. “But somehow, Starlight Shores feels more like home. It just fits in a way nowhere else ever has.”

Sam nodded like he understood that too well. He let the silence stretch a beat before asking, “You mentioned that your parents lived in Germany while you were in college. Are they still there?”

“No, they’re in Alexandria, Virginia now. My dad got assigned to the Pentagon two years ago.”

“Do you see them often?”

“A few times a year, but I talk to them a couple times a week.”

We continued walking in silence. A breeze stirred my hair, and I tucked the strands behind my ear, sneaking a glance at Sam. He looked peaceful. Relaxed. Like maybe this was exactly what he’d needed.

We passed a few pubs, laughter and conversation spilling from open doors. One had a chalkboard sign out front boasting live music, and the sound of the band filtered into the night.

Sam glanced at me with a grin.

“Want to check it out?”

I nodded and we slipped inside. He placed his hand gently against the small of my back as we navigated through the crowded entrance. The band occupied a small stage in the corner and Sam guided me to a small table in the corner on the opposite side of the room.

The last notes ofTake It Easyby The Eagles finished and I clapped as I settled into my chair.

“What would you like to drink?" Sam asked.

“A seltzer with lime.”

“I’ll be right back.”

He disappeared into the crowd toward the bar. I watched him go, admiring how easily he moved through the space, confident but never pushy. While he was gone, the band started playingAmerican Girlby Tom Petty. The song always reminds me of the beginning ofThe Silence of the Lambs, but regardless, I found myself tapping my fingers against the wooden table in time with the rhythm.

When Sam returned, he set a tall glass with bubbles and lime in front of me and kept what looked like a cola for himself.

“Thanks,” I said.

It was too loud to keep up a real conversation, so we just settled in and listened. The band was really good, playing onecrowd-pleaser after another from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Each song felt like a little trip down memory lane, and I couldn’t help but smile. At some point, Sam moved a little closer, resting his arm gently on the back of my chair. I felt a flutter of warmth, a quiet reassurance in the simple closeness between us.

When the lead singer announced they were taking a break, the spell broke a little. The house lights came up slightly, and recorded music filtered through the speakers at a much lower volume. I finished my drink and stifled a yawn.

“Want to head out?” he asked.

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