Page 71 of A Lonely Road
“I have a gift for you,” she said, passing me a tiny chiffon bag covered in silver stars.
“A gift? For what?” I untied the ribbons and poured the contents into my palm, my breath catching when I saw it was a tiny mermaid tail pendant to match the one around her neck.
She winked at me. “Consider it an official welcome into the family.”
It took several seconds for me to get control of the emotions rollicking through my chest, but when I raised teary eyes to meet her gaze, she gave a gentle smile and shook her head to stave off a protest. Then she leaned over and took it from my hands to clasp it around my neck.
“Perfect,” she whispered.
I gave a shaky laugh. “Thank you, Sam.”
“I always wanted a sister.” She grinned. “So now it's mermaid-official.”
“Can't get much more official than that. Now, if you’re going to hold me hostage, you’ll have to fess up. What’s the deal with you and Casey? I need juicy details to keep my mind off my lovely stalker,” I insisted, in desperate need of distraction.
Sam gave a dramatic sigh, but her expression was serene. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and I always thought she was more like a sister to me than anything. Or maybe I just picked up on that being the way Jake felt about her and internalized it.”
“He said he was relieved to learn she wasn’t into guys, so he couldn’t ruin their friendship.”
“Yeah,” she said, laughing. “Once, right after Casey came out in high school, Jake told me he thought she was into me, but I didn’t really believe it. Even if it was true, it’s so easy to ruin friendships with high school relationships, you know? Then all of a sudden, something changed. I don’t know exactly how or when or why. She just makes me ridiculously happy.”
“Then I’m happy for you,” I said, but I raised a brow. “You were hitting on me at the cafe that day, but it sounded like you were already planning to make a play for Casey even then. What would you have done if I’d taken you up on it?”
“Oh, I was definitely hitting on you,” Sam admitted freely. The dimple in her cheek appeared when she laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “Things hadn’t changed yet between us, so I was still technically unattached. Jake and Imade a twin pact when we were teenagers, vowing never to fight over partners, but he didn’t seem to be laying claim too quickly when you first got here.”
“I think if he’d done anything remotely like ‘laying claim,’ I would’ve punched him in the throat.”
“You are pretty fierce. It’s hot.”
I snorted a laugh. “Thanks.”
“But anyway, it was clear you weren’t looking for long-term at the time, so believe me, Nora dear, we could have had a beautiful little fling. I guess it all worked out for the best, though, hmm?”
I laughed and raised my coffee cup in toast. “To new beginnings.”
Sam touched her cup to mine. “Hell yes. I don’t suppose my brother has asked you to marry him yet?”
“Marry him,” I repeated, blinking slowly as my smile fell away. “No. I mean, he mentioned officially moving in with him after this mess is over, but marriage is . . . marriage is a big step.”
“One that clearly scares the crap out of you.”
Though I didn’t respond right away, it wasn’t really a question. Sam didn’t look at all surprised by my reaction, either. In fact, her patient expression looked a little too much like Jake’s at that moment, enough that I had to force my gaze away. I stayed silent for a long moment, staring off toward the fishless koi pond, then nodded.
“Yes, it does. I don’t—I didn’t grow up with a family like yours, Sam. It wasn’t the best example of a loving marriage.Before meeting your parents, I would have told you happily ever after was nothing but a fairy tale.”
Sam laid a hand on my arm. “Hey,” she said gently, “I’m not saying he’s going to pop the question tomorrow. Jake knows you, Nora, better than anybody, I would guess, and he’s the most patient person I’ve ever met. He’ll wait until you’re ready to say yes before he ever decides to ask something like that.”
With a shuddering breath, I nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“But the way he looks at you, my god. Hot enough to catch fire!”
With a weak laugh, I scrubbed my hands over my heated cheeks. “Must run in the family. I saw how you and Casey were eyeing each other at the barbecue.”
She waved that away, refusing to accept the change of subject. “I swear I didn’t mean to scare you, Nora, I was only curious. Things seem to be getting pretty serious between you. I always wished I had a sister instead of that big lout, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather call sister than you. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
A tiny smile tugged at my lips, though my eyes glistened with tears at Sam’s heartfelt declaration. “It’s fine. I just really hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. I’m beyond happy and I’m hopelessly in love with him and I like how things are. It’s been a long time since I considered anything beyond the next few months.”
“You two will find your way. And I will definitely enjoy finding mine with Casey.” She bounced her eyebrows at me and grinned.
