“I thought you didn’t want me to have a big head,” he teases, though I can tell he’s pleased.
“About being right when you tease me, sure. About woodwork, you earned that big head. Don’t be afraid to show it off. You won’t mess up, Sam.”
He looks down at the counter, shoulders slumped. “Starting a business isn’t cheap, Rose. I could sink everything I have into it, and if it doesn’t work out, what then?”
“Then you keep living in your parents’ basement while you figure out your next steps, or you move in with me until you get back on your feet. You’re not ninety years old, Sam. You have time to try again if things don’t work out, and I could give you money. I haven’t even touched the insurance payout.”
He’s shaking his head before I’ve finished. “That money is for you and Ben.”
“That money is more than we will ever need, and we don’t need much. We never have. And eventually I’ll go back to work, so it’s not like I’ll be out eating lobster salad for lunch every day and living off the money until I’m old.”
He rubs a hand over his face. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” I bump his shoulder. “You’re just afraid to take the first step toward realizing a dream you’ve always had: running your own business. Take the leap. You won’t fall.”
He gives me a searching look, then says hesitantly, “Do you want to see? I’ve got a couple of decorative finishing touchesI could make before I show Nico. Which means I have time to burn the office to the ground just like Nico wanted if it’s terrible.”
I roll my eyes. “Sam…”
“Joking,” he says with a grin, standing. “Or not joking if it’s terrible. Come see.”
Nico is chatting with a customer farther down the counter, and I catch his eye. “Nico, I need to check on something. Do you mind?—”
He waves me off as he straightens and approaches. “Go. I’ll talk to my friend Ben about…” He looks at Ben.
Ben puts down his juice box. “I went to see the school and played with Harry, and there was a hamster called Caramel Cookie.”
Nico gives one firm nod. “I’ll learn all about Caramel Cookie while you go see what you need to.”
“Thanks.” I smile.
Before I follow Sam to Nico’s office, I watch them for a bit. I thought Ben was growing attached to the diner owner because of the possibility of free chocolate shakes, but Ben is chatting away with Nico, who’s leaning on the counter, listening attentively and nodding. His expression is that of a loving, interested uncle or grandfather. I realize then that their relationship goes beyond the promise of the chocolate milkshakes that Ben loves.
I turn to follow Sam, but he doesn’t move.
He shifts from foot to foot, visibly nervous. “Maybe we could?—”
“Nope. Let’s go.” I grab his hand and tug him toward the office.
Sam’s used to working for someone, with a boss to cushion the blow if a job goes wrong and a pissed-off client shows up. Or when he made something for me, his friends and family, and my parents, he knew we all love him and his work, so he neverneeded to worry about upsetting us. This is his first real client. Someone who doesn’t know him, and he’s terrified Nico will hate it. And even though he did this job as a favor and didn’t charge for it, he wants it to be perfect for Nico.
He’s hovering behind me when I grab the door handle, twist it, and pull it open.
My jaw drops. “Sam…”
He starts to walk away. “I’ll get gasoline and?—”
“Stop.” I drag him back, holding onto him so he can’t slip away while I’m distracted.
And I go back to staring at the perfectly organized tiny office with its built-in desk, chair, ladder, and horizontal cube shelving above it. He used the most gorgeous golden maple wood.
There’s no window in here, but on the other side of the desk, Sam hung rustic picture frames on the wall with photographs of the pretty pastel-fronted buildings in downtown Rios. The photo frames look homemade; the pictures probably came from the gift shop.
Below the photo frames is a seriously cute custom daybed with a blue-and-white striped cushion that matches the office chair. Nico literally has a place to put his feet up and rest after a busy day in the diner.
Shaking my head in disbelief at how much he was able to do so quickly, I focus on the man standing nervously beside me. He poured his heart and soul into this place, and it shows.
It’s rare to see an alpha this nervous. Alphas are dominant and usually confident. But not Sam. At least not about this.
