Finding Me (33 page)

I shrugged. “Not so bad.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Of course it wasn’t. I’m sure you fit right in with your sandy brown hair and year-round tan. How many girls did you have to fight off at the beach on a daily basis? I totally picture your life out there as a never-ending episode of
Baywatch
. I bet you even surfed.”

“I tried surfing but I kept falling on my ass and figured it wasn’t for me, and I didn’t have to fight off too many.” I gave her a wink.

“I’m guessing you didn’t try very hard, right?” She winked back.

Look at this sassy little thing.
I shook my head and laughed. Shy Sam had a little bite to her now. She was sexy, funny—and off-limits. This was beginning to suck a little.

Three hours later, I couldn’t believe how fast the time had flown. We were both on our fourth round of drinks and I couldn’t remember laughing so much in one night.

“Marketing director, that’s great! I’m not surprised; you were always smart, but never gave yourself any credit. I could tell you were going places back then.” Sam gave me a small smile and nodded.

“Thank you. Took me a long time, but I’m happy I finally found a job I like with decent hours. Marc misses the days he only saw me for an hour at night because I was working late. I’m a real drag now that I’m home.” She ran her hand through her long chestnut hair and looked away.

Sam was gorgeous and successful but had an underlying sadness and indifference when she spoke. I realized that was the first time she’d brought Marc up all night.

What the hell? I’m going to ask.

“I’ve watched men check you out all night. Marc must go ape shit when you go out.”

“Marc likes to joke that guys may come up to me because of the big boobs, but would run away as soon as I started to talk so he has nothing to worry about.”

How was it possible he’d become an even bigger fucking asshole than he was back then?

“If a man got the attention of a woman like you he wouldn’t walk away so easily, I can definitely tell you that.” I put down my beer and silently cut myself off before I got too forward and made Sam uncomfortable.

“Actually, women seem to flock to Marc when he goes out. At least that’s what I hear.” She shrugged and took a long drink.

What the hell kind of alternate universe did Sam live in that Marc acted like
he
was the catch in their marriage? I got the feeling there was more to it than that to make Sam look so unhappy.

“Sam, Marc should thank his lucky fucking stars a woman like you gave him the time of day, much less married him. If he doesn’t, he’s a douchebag who didn’t deserve you in the first place.”
Shit. I went too far.

Sam didn’t look mad at all. She leaned over and put her hand on top of mine.

“Thank you for saying that.” There was a spark of electricity when she touched my hand and looked up at me with those big, light brown eyes full of unhappiness. I was feeling all sorts of things, most of all anger that Sam was treated so badly and didn’t seem to think she was worthy of anything better.

Sam looked at her watch. “Crap, its ten thirty already?! The night seemed to go by fast, didn’t it?”

It had. We’d been there for over four hours, and I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

“I didn’t realize that, either. Let me walk you to the subway.”

“That’s sweet, Lucas, but you don’t have to do that.” Yes, I did. I wanted that extra ten minutes with her, however I could get it.

“I was raised a gentleman. A pretty girl shouldn’t be walking around by herself at night in the big city.” I reached out my hand to pull her up and she took it. It felt natural, and it felt right. But it wasn’t.

I handed her my business card when we got outside. “Since we work so close, and I live in this neighborhood, too, no excuse to not hang out, right?”

Sam nodded and reached into her purse. “Absolutely! Here’s mine. My cell is on it.” She pointed to Madison Square Park across the street. “I can’t believe they opened a Shake Shack in the park. I’ve always wanted to eat there. I hear the burgers are really good.”

“You’ve never had Shake Shack? We have to rectify that immediately. Like next week.” We arrived at the top of the steps at the train station and she turned around to look at me.

“Yeah, we’ll see. Anyway, thanks for a great night, Lucas. I had so much fun, and it was great to see you again.” We looked at each other and it was a little awkward. Like this was the moment for the date ending kiss. But we weren’t on a date—not really. Didn’t mean I didn’t want to kiss those full, red lips—because I did. And for a minute, she looked like she wanted me to.

“Good night, Sam.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek—and lingered a moment. I thought I heard her gasp. She smelled so good.

Sam gave me a warm smile. I couldn’t get over how damn beautiful she was.

“Good night, Lucas.”

I watched her as she headed down the steps to the subway. I wanted to see her again in the worst way. I hated seeing her look so sad, but she was married. Marc was a jerk, but there was a child involved and I was sure things were complicated, or else Sam would have left him. Starting anything with her, even a friendship, would be opening up Pandora’s Box.

When I got back to my apartment, I took Sam’s business card out to get her cell.

Me: It’s Lucas. Checking to make sure you got home OK.

Her train was probably underground, but I was worried about her on the subway alone so late at night. Twenty minutes later, I heard my phone buzz.

Sam: Thanks for checking. I’m home now. Hope to see you soon.

Me: Shake Shack, Friday, 1PM

Sam: OK. Sure. See you then

Alright, Pandora. Game on.

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