Page 10 of Working For Her Attention

“Thanks.” She smiled. “And thank you again for coming to my rescue this morning.” She sipped her water.

When I’d returned from my shower, I was surprised to see her glass was still half full. That was when she admitted that even though the wine was delightful, her words, too fucking adorable, she wasn’t a big drinker.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without you if you hadn’t saved me.”

“I didn’t do much.” I shook my head, but she surprised me, and maybe the two of us, by the look on her face that flashed quickly when she covered her hand with mine.

“You did,” she insisted. “I was half-asleep and rushing around and… I mean, I made a fool out of myself in front of you, but it could have been worse if the neighbors woke up to me trying to jump through a window or something, if you hadn’t done what you did.”

“You’re welcome, but you have to know you didn’t make a fool out of yourself.” I tangled our fingers together and extended my leg under the table, just enough to hook the bottom of her chair to drag her just a little closer to me. “You were fucking beautiful, Avery.”

“Sam.” She breathed for a beat.

Then another.

I was about to ask her out, to take her for dinner and dancing in town, when she was suddenly up on her feet, stacking plates and avoiding to make eye contact like it was her damn job.

“Well, umm, thank you for hanging out tonight.” I wasn’t sure what I said to make her dismiss me like this, so I stood. I could let her kick me out, force me back home for me to scramble to come up with a way to see her again, but something inside of me whispered to try one more time tonight.

I stood in front of her, and she stilled when I took the dishes from her.

“What are you⁠—“

“You cooked. I’ll clean.” The old family rule at my house slipped past my lips. She blinked, her blue eyes working something out until she finally broke the silence between us.

“No, this was so I could say thank you and⁠—“

“You did.” I winked. “Come on, get your water and hang out with me while I wash the dishes,” I ordered as I walked into her kitchen.

Her place was smaller than mine, but she’d done a great job of making it feel cozy. She stepped inside behind me, and I couldn’t help myself. I picked her up, loving the sound of her laughter as I set her on the counter next to me.

“So… tell me about your life.”

“My life?” She laughed and shook her head. “There isn’t much to tell.”

“I doubt that,” I said as I turned the water on. “Where did you grow up? What does your family think about you living in Forge Creek? What’s your favorite color?” I spit-fired. She didn’t say anything for a moment.

“California,” she finally broke the silence. “I don’t have any, and I don’t think I have one favorite, though I am partial to pink and orange together. It’s like a burst of happy.” She smiled politely. “What about you?”

“Blue,” I answered immediately, unblinking as I stared right into her eyes.

I knew what she was thinking, that I was going to ask about her family, or the lack thereof, but I wasn’t an idiot. I had a feeling that topic had to be approached with care; I could definitely do that.

“California girl, huh? So, does that mean you’re a Dodgers or Angels fan?” She laughed and relaxed a little.

“Neither. I like the Rockies.”

“Good girl,” I rumbled with a smirk.

We kept shooting questions at one another. Light to heavy to heavier.

“Ever married?” she asked, trying to be subtle with the way she didn’t really meet my eyes, but when I shook my head, I had her complete attention. “Really?” She blinked like she was trying to tell if I was lying. Soon, she would know daddy never said anything he didn’t mean or believe in.

“Really.”

“Not even once?”

“Nope,” I answered truthfully. “You?”