He stood up out of the SUV and grabbed her hand. “I’d say you’ve handled the past week pretty well, considering. I saw you were about to lose it, so I sent the girls inside.”
“Thank you. For”—she nodded at the SUV—“helping with that. And everything else. I’m used to people protecting me. But that’s because it’s their job. You? You make it feel personal. Youdon’t treat me like a job. You treat me like I’m something worth caring about.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Everyone should have someone who looks out for them like that. You’ve never had that? In a boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “I’m sure you’ve read my file. You know about my mother and the last man I dated.”
He reached out and grasped her hand. “Sam, you are like no other woman I’ve met. So strong. Resilient. You care deeply. I wish all women were like that.”
“I sense an ugly ex hiding in your closet.”
“Yeah, she jetted once Sophia became a permanent part of my life.”
Sam smiled softly. “That’s her loss. You’re a great man, and Sophia’s worth sticking around for.”
Something flashed in his eyes. Before she could decipher it, it was gone. He dropped her hand and took a step back. “Shall we go into the house now?”
“We need to get our things. Let me go get Bella.”
“I can help.” Liam popped the rear hatch and grabbed the bags.
She followed behind him, carrying the one bag he let her carry.
“While you were sleeping, I texted Sophia and told her to put clean sheets and a blanket on my bed for you.”
She stopped dead in her tracks. “I’m not sleeping in your bed.”
“Well, the only other option is sharing the couch with the dog.” He opened the front door.
“That’s perfect.”
“She snores.” He dropped Bella’s things next to the couch.
“It can’t be that bad.” She clung to her bag.
“I insist on you taking my bedroom. You’ll rest more comfortably than on this springy old couch.”
“And you can sleep comfortably on it?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.
“I don’t sleep that much.” He took her bag from her arms, turned around, and waltzed down the hall.
She followed quickly behind him. “You’re kind enough to let us stay with you. I can’t let you give me your bed.”
“Well, that couch isn’t big enough for the both of us, but I’m willing to give it a try.” He continued down the hall.
They passed a bathroom and came up to Sophia’s room, where the girls were sprawled across her bed, watching television. “It’s about time y’all came in,” Sophia yelled as they passed by.
The room next to Sophia’s was a small home office. A giant bookshelf full of books almost took up one wall.
Liam disappeared into the next room.
Her steps slowed as she entered. A queen-size bed with a simple black headboard was pushed to the right side of the room. A dark-blue comforter and matching pillows made the bed. There was a matching nightstand and chest of drawers. Black curtains hung over the lone window.
He tossed her bag onto the bed and turned to face her. “What’s it going to be?”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I just don’t want to put you out.”
He sighed. “You can go ask Sophia about my sleeping habits. She’ll confirm that I don’t sleep as much as the average person.”
