Page 52 of Love Everlasting

“Ooo-kay …” she said slowly, her comfort level taking another dive.

“I’d like to know what your feelings for Sam are, if you don’t mind.”

“I told you, Chase, we’re just friends.”

“I know,” he said with a quiet smile, “but I need to know how deep your feelings are for him, Shannon. Lacey told me the same thing in the beginning, but she was still in love with Jack, and I didn’t know it.” Sucking air through a tight smile, he threaded his fingers through short sandy hair. “If it’s all the same with you, I’d rather not be blindsided this time, if you know what I mean.”

“I do,” she said softly, wishing she could say the same. Her unexpected attachment to Sam had blindsided her as well, pulling the rug out from under her heart.

He twined his fingers through hers, meeting her gaze with a sober one of his own. “So, tell me, Shannon—are your feelings for Sam deeper than friendship?”

She averted her gaze, swallowing a lump in her throat. “I think so.”

Giving her palm a squeeze, he pulled his hand away and slowly exhaled. “I thought so,” he said quietly, “so thank you for your honesty.”

Heart lurching, she turned to face him, desperate to make him understand. She placed a hand on his arm. “I never meant for this to happen, Chase, I swear, and to be honest, I wish there was something I could do to change it.”

“There is,” he said with a patient smile. He gave her hand a gentle pat and got out of the car, peering in with gentle resolve etched in his face. “And we’ll start with one of Lulu’s decadent desserts and take it from there.”

She gave him a wobbly smile when he opened her door. “You mean you still want to take me out? Even knowing how I feel about Sam?”

“Sure,” he said with a slow grin, helping her out. “As long as I know where I stand going in, I’ll just do what Sam did and become your good friend.” He closed the door and slipped his fingers through hers once again, leading her to the quaint coffee-house storefront of Lulu’s with a lazy smile. “Because friendship with you is something I definitely want, Shannon, and who knows? Maybe I can help you get over Sam too.” He opened the door to Lulu’s, and mouthwatering smells wrapped her in a delicious hug, rich and warm, like the relaxed feel of Chase’s hand in her own. “But win or lose,” he said with a smile that was rampant with tease, “it should be a whole lot of fun just watching Sam squirm.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sam wasn’t sure how long he’d been staring at Mary Preston’s chart, hands poised over the keyboard, but so far he hadn’t typed a thing. Granted, congenital heart disease wasn’t something he wanted to dwell on, especially when it belonged to a sweet six-year-old girl, but even so, he had no business letting his mind wander.

For the zillionth time this week.

He closed the computer and sagged back in his chair, eyes closed while he rested his head. The scene with Shannon and Chase last Saturday night replayed in his brain like a bad video he couldn’t get out of his mind.

“I don’t usually date, as you know, Sam, but when Chase tempted me with Lulu’s …”

Dating.

Temptation.

Weren’t those things she should have mentioned to a best friend? He certainly would have and did, in fact, every single time they got together, so why didn’t she?

Why do you care so much?

His pulse slowed to a crawl at the random thought. Why do I care so much, he wondered? Eyelids lifting, he dissected his reasons. Because he cared what happened to her, of course. Shannon was the best friend he’d ever had, man or woman, and he was very protective. He didn’t want to see her get hurt. She was an innocent, a true rarity in today’s world, sweet and trusting, especially with him since they’d gotten so close. And frankly, no one had ever trusted him like that before. He unleashed a grunt as he gouged fingers to the bridge of his nose. Who was he kidding? He’d never trusted himself like that before. Not until Shannon. And not until the rock-solid faith she was slowly sowing into his life.

I need to apologize, he suddenly realized, staring at the Superman growth chart on his closed office door. For acting like such a jerk. There’d been no reason for his juvenile behavior. He cared deeply about Shannon and she deserved to be loved like he wanted to love Jazz, and Chase was actually perfect for her.

Clean cut.

No nonsense.

A pillar of faith, just like her.

Sam scowled, barely aware he was even doing it.

Okay, he was worried about her, so sue him. He pushed forward in his chair and flipped open his computer, grateful Chase was a stand-up guy who hopefully wouldn’t take advantage of her. Sam’s mouth crooked. Not that she’d let him. The woman was a wall of iron embedded with heels, untainted by the world.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard once again while his gaze wandered into another faraway stare. Which was one of the things he loved most about her, come to think of it. Her simplicity, her innocence, her morality—unspoiled and pure.

Unlike Jazz.