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Race through the dark streets? Jump out of a tree? She could name it, and he’d do it.
“What do you want to—” His voice cut off when she closed the distance between him.
Placing her hands on his shoulders, she pushed up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his.
It all happened so fast, so unexpectedly, that Sam didn’t react at first. She drew away, releasing him, her eyes filled with vulnerability. He was still an idiot. She’d kissed him, and he’d done nothing. Well, she was still standing there, and so was he.
Sam moved his hands to her waist and pulled her close. Then he kissed her. She was much quicker to react, and her hands returned to his shoulders. The was definitely not an expert kiss, but there were plenty of fireworks. Mostly, his skin burned at the press of her body against his, and the softness of her lips, and the all-encompassing scent of Susan.
This time, when she drew away, she didn’t step out of his arms. He rested his forehead against hers. “Is that what you wanted to try?”
Her laughter was soft. “Yes.”
“And what did you think?”
“Well, you’re definitely not my brother.”
Sam smiled. “Definitely not.” Then he kissed her again.
After he walked Susan home that night, Sam wasn’t sure his feet actually touched the ground as he headed back to his house. He couldn’t have dreamed up a better scenario, and he’d be surprised if he slept at all that night. Or the next night, or the next.
By the time Monday afternoon rolled around, everyone at school knew they were an item. Susan had held his hand in the hallways, and Sam wasn’t about to protest. His head was in the clouds, his heart was soaring, and his feet barely touched the ground. His friends teased him, but he didn’t care.
Susan was going steady with him, and nothing could change his elation.
Until the night before the Spring Fling. When she showed up at his doorstep right after the dinner hour, her cheeks stained with tears, Sam ushered her onto the porch.
“What’s wrong?”
“My dad lost his job this morning,” Susan said. “He’s been making phone calls all over the city, but there’s nothing.”
Sam felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. Her father had undergone more than one pay cut at work, a fact that Susan only knew because she’d overheard a conversation between her parents. They’d been economizing, like everyone had.
“But it’s worse than I thought,” she said in a quiet voice, her eyes focused on the porch. “I overheard my parents talking. They haven’t been able to pay their mortgage for the last three months.”
Sam frowned. “Oh no.”
Susan gave a short nod. “We’re going to be kicked out,” she whispered. “The bank isn’t going to keep floating us.”
He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Susan had an aunt in the city, but she lived in a small apartment.
“You could live here,” Sam said. “We’ll make room. My parents would be happy to accommodate.”
Susan lifted her chin, but her eyes were sad. “The six of us wouldn’t fit. Besides, my dad’s pride wouldn’t allow it. My mom is making phone calls too. She might work at the bakery.”
They both knew there weren’t jobs at the bakery. Susan’s mom might get a few hours, but that wouldn’t pay a mortgage. New tears started down her cheeks, and Sam pulled her into his arms for a tight hug.
She cried against his chest for a few moments until she was able to steady her breath. “I have savings,” he whispered against her ear. “And I can sell my baseball card collection.”
Susan drew away and shook her head. “I’m not going to use your savings. Besides, we need a long-term solution. We’ll figure something out. We just have to have faith.”
Sam had to hold on to her words because the alternative was too painful to think about.
“I’ll talk to my parents,” he said. “Maybe my dad will have some things in mind.”
Susan shrugged. “Maybe.” But there was no hope in her eyes. “I don’t know if I should go to the Spring Fling. It seems inconsiderate to go to a dance when my parents might be losing the house.”
Sam dragged in a breath and grasped her hand. “We’ll do whatever you want. Just let me know.”
