Page 121 of Shattered

“Jeez. How have I been able to resist you when you talk like that? True Casanova right here.”

She didn’t expect him to continue talking, so she was surprised when he divulged further, “When you walked into our apartment that next week, I almost shat myself. I was literally contemplating how to talk to you during our next shift together just minutes before and then you just walk in my house.”

She laughed and then that smile turned down as she recalled exactly how he had treated her that first night. “Why were you so mean to me that night then?”

He shrugged. That beautiful smile turned into an apologetic smirk. “I don’t know. I didn’t mean to be. It’s kind of my default.” He reached out and interlocked their fingers. “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry for the things I said and how I acted. I hope you know now that that is not me. That’s not the real me. That was just this persona I put on because I’m a dick and don’t know how to deal with emotions.”

“I know that’s not you.”

“Good.” He squeezed her hand. “I promise to never, ever, ever act like that again.”

She wanted his smile to return.

“Did you plan the whole going to Social thing with me?”

He shook his head with a laugh. “Nope. That, my dear”—he tilted his head down and his glassy eyes became even clearer in the light—“was fate.”

Sam laughed again. “You want some water next?” she asked as he waved the bartender over.

“Why ruin the fun?”

“You are much more talkative when you’ve had a few drinks. I should have been plying you with them for the last few weeks.”

“But not as forthcoming as you are when you talk in your sleep.” He wiggled his eyebrows again, making her cheeks turn red.

Chapter 49 - Sam

The night was a blur of flirting, laughing, shots, and a now drunk Kristin pulling her out onto the dance floor just as Callum walked off to the bathroom.

Sam laughed as she and Kristin danced. Well, Sam danced, Kristin just kind of did her best not to fall. Sam made sure to have a steadying hand around her best friend's waist.

“Oh my God! Sam!” Kristin yelled far too loudly into Sam’s ear as they moved to the music.

“What?”

“It’s so perfect! You and Callum. Me and Micah. Our kids will get married and we can officially be related!”

Sam burst into a fit of laughter at her friend's level of drunken ridiculousness. “Kristin! Calm down.”

Kristin grabbed Sam’s face and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You are my bestest-estest-estest friend in the whole wide world!” Kristin’s words were more than slurred.

Sam laughed and pulled her into a hug. “You are my bestest-estest-estest friend, too.”

And then she slowly guided a very drunk Kristin off the dance floor and back to waiting Callum and Micah.

“I think it’s time for this one to head home,” Sam said as Kristin basically fell into Micah’s arms.

“I can’t take you anywhere, woman,” Micah called out and then kissed Kristin on the cheek. “I’ll call an Uber. Do we need a van for all five of us, or are y’all staying out?”

“We haven’t even danced yet,” Callum said into Sam’s ear.

“Just for y’all,” Sam replied as she hugged Kristin and helped Micah get her to the front entrance. Drew would have to help him get her inside the house. They were lucky there was an elevator.

By the time she made it back to Callum, he was standing on the edge of the dance floor. She stood in front of him and he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“I’m not a good dancer.” She leaned back to see his face.

“I don’t believe you. Anyone with hips and an ass like this”—he grabbed her for extra emphasis—“has got to have good moves.”

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