Page 32 of Official

I freeze with my grip crippling the laminated one-page menu.

“You agree with Teddy. That I should’ve picked a different career, boyfriend, and condo. Hell, I’m sure you and Teddy would love to do my grocery shopping too. But I’m happy with my choices, okay? I don’t need sweet alcoholic drinks every hour in order to enjoy a vacation.”

“Whoa, Sam.” Instinctively, I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “I don’t think any of that at all. I thought it was obvious that I’m proud of you for doing what gives you purpose. I’m the last person to tell someone they’re wrong for chasing after an unconventional path. If I could, I’d stand on a different corner of LA every day holding up a sign that tells others to follow their hearts too.”

She grips my hand back and relaxes in her seat.

“Teddy’s proud too, but he’s also your big brother. He just cares about what’s best for you.” I gulp and pull my hand back to my side of the table, very aware that what I just said is the very opposite of me.

I’m no good for her.

She traces the tip of her finger along the menu as her lips curl and fall, then curl up again in a small smile that peeks through her contemplative expression like a budding flower from a thick bush. “Thank you.”

We share a deep but flitting moment of unique understanding. It feels strangely intimate, and we’re not even fucking touching each other. What is up with me this week?

“Besides, Teddy has no room to criticize.” I smirk, breaking the trance that temporarily suspended us in an odd but terrifyingly satisfying moment.

She lurches forward. “Right?”

“I tell him all the time to make better choices, but he thinks he has his shit together all because he has a monotonous fucking job in real estate.” I shake my head as the server sets down a couple of shrimp baskets on the table next to us.

And my stomach growls yet again as the smells of fried breading and lemon wafts over me along with the salty breeze.

“The guy sleeps with divorced mothers of twenty-something-year-olds like that’s where his commission comes from,” I continue, trying damn hard to stop staring—and drooling—at the shrimp.

But when Sam gasps, it’s easy to focus back on her. She always has an adorable set of reactions that make her eyes light up, a twinkle of mischief and intrigue in them. Right now, there’s also a hint of shock as she asks, “You don’t think it does, do you?”

I squirm on my stool and only manage a snort. Besides, there’s no way Teddy’s getting paid forthosekinds of services.

“I’m serious. This Bianca woman is the third cougar he’s slept with this year. Has he been seeing anyone who’s our age?” she presses, entertaining the ridiculous idea with animated intrigue in her eyes.

“Not that I know of…”

Our server returns and sets our drinks in front of us, after which she jots down our food order and then disappears.

“We’ll dissect your brother’s issues later when he’s here to defend—and explain—himself.” I interlock my fingers together. “When are you going to turn your phone on?”

“I’m not ready.” She runs her fingers over the edges of her phone, the dark screen putting off a real doom-and-gloom vibe.

“You have to do it at some point.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I couldn’t just hide forever.” She looks up and twists her lips into a seemingly uncomfortable grimace.

“I’m trying to help.” I lean forward. “We agreed this morning that we’d start enjoying this island for real, which means taking care of the thing that’s holding you back. It’s not going to be fun here if you keep using it as a hiding place.”

She blows out a frustrated breath.

“Be free,” I urge Sam and hold my drink up.

“I’ll check it when we’re back in our rooms.”

“Or you could check it now while I’m here. For support, of course.”

“You’re just nosy.”

I scratch the back of my head and squint at the sun high in the sky, then drop my gaze to meet hers. “All shit aside, I really do want to help. If you don’t want to face the wrath yet, it’s your decision, but I think it would be good foryou. Not me or anyone else, for that matter. Honest truth.” I place my hand over my chest, which tightens under my palm as I realize this is the most sincere I’ve ever been with a woman.

Sam and I might’ve known each other for a while, but we’ve rarely hung out alone long enough to dig deep into our damn souls like this.

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