Page 34 of Big Pitch Energy

“I’m going to go make coffee and bring in some desserts.”

“Do you want some help?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“No, you two sit. Relax.”

The twinkle in her eye made it clear that she was giving us a moment, and I was grateful for it.

“This is probably the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received,” I said and ran my fingers over my necklace. “Besides this.”

“I never asked about the story behind that necklace,” Sam said gently, his eyes on the pendant. “But I can tell it means a lot to you.”

“My grandmother gave it to me for my thirteenth birthday,” I said softly. “We’d been living with her in Maryland for ayear while my dad was deployed. When he came back, we were moving again, this time to New York, and I was dreading it. She knew how much I hated always being the new kid, always starting over. She gave me this necklace and told me it was a symbol of stability and grounding. That no matter where life took me, I could carry a strong sense of self with me. It was her way of reminding me that I’d always have a place in the world, even if the address keeps changing.”

His gaze softened as he said, “That’s more than beautiful, Hope. It’s like you carry your own anchor, no matter where life takes you.”

He gave a little “come here” gesture with his fingers, and I handed him the bracelet, then held out my arm. He took it carefully, wrapping the delicate chain around my wrist and fastening the clasp with a quiet focus that made my heart flutter.

Sam leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, sending a flutter straight to my heart.

If someone had told me at Thanksgiving that by Christmas I’d be falling head over heels for the town’s favorite son, I’d have laughed and called them crazy.

But there I was—heart racing, wrist adorned, and completely, utterly caught in the moment. Somehow, it all felt so right.

Chapter Ten

Sam

The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotelcame into view, and for a second, it honestly looked like something out of a storybook. With all that carved stone and the big, old clock in the middle, it had a kind of quiet, grand presence that made you slow down and stare. As I pulled into the parking lot, Hope leaned toward the window, practically pressing her face to the glass. Her eyes were huge, totally caught up in it, like she couldn’t quite believe it was real.

“Sam, this place is incredible,” she said as we stepped out of the car.

I grabbed our bags from the trunk, grinning at her reaction.

“Wait until you see the inside.”

We walked into the marble-tiled lobby and Hope tilted her head back to stare at the massive stained-glass ceiling.

“Holy hell,” she whispered. “This is a hotel?”

“It used to be a train station.” I chuckled, shifting our duffel bags higher on my shoulder. “And this weekend it’s wedding central.”

She turned toward me.

“You didn’t tell me this place is so beautiful.”

“I figured I’d let it surprise you.”

“Well, it worked.” She smiled, slipping her hand into mine as we walked toward the front desk. “I can't believe Leo rented out the entire hotel.”

“When you come from a Greek family with about two hundred relatives, plus everyone that’s invited, you need the space.”

I checked into our room and we headed toward the elevator.

“I feel like we’re about to get swept into a period drama.”

“With Leo’s family, you just might get your drama.”

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