Page 77 of Love Everlasting

“Not a clue,” Sam said with a smug smile. A mix of pride and love swelled in his chest over the way he’d kept his relationship with Shannon aboveboard and kept her off the scent of a proposal despite seeing her every day for a month.

“I want to take my time to really get to know you, Shan,” he’d told her that night in the dory, even though he already suspected she was the one. And when they’d danced every single dance at Tess and Ben’s intimate garden wedding just last week, he’d known for a certainty he couldn’t wait much longer to make her his wife.

“So, when are you going to pop the question?” Chase wanted to know.

“Saturday night when we celebrate our official one-month anniversary. I know how much she loves to cook, so I thought I’d pull the stops out and take her to the 700 Kitchen Cooking School at Mansion on Forsyth Park.” He gave them a wink. “Already arranged with the chef for a surprise in her dinner roll, so I can’t wait to see her face.” He pocketed the ring and grinned like a fool. “And I can tell you right now, this will not be a long engagement if I have any say.”

Chase cuffed Sam’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you, man, and I sure hope I have the honor of officially ending your illustrious career as Dr. Love.”

Sam chuckled as he put his credit card back in his wallet, shooting Chase a wicked grin. “Oh, I’ll still be Dr. Love, Rev, but I’ll only be making house calls for one woman.”

“Good to know, Ham.” Jack rose to his feet, one side of his mouth inching up in a wry smile. “Because I’d really hate to mess up the pretty face of one of my best buds and brother-in-law.” He pushed in his chair. “And speaking of house calls,” he said with a glance at his watch, “I’m late for mine right now.”

Following suit, Chase stood as well. “I’m afraid I need to head out, too, Sam—early meeting with the board.” He eased his chair in with a crooked smile. “I don’t have the practice of burning the candles at both ends like you, Doc.”

Sam laughed while he checked his phone. “Yeah, well the fires on both ends have been effectively doused, I assure you, by both you and Shan.” His smile skewed as he returned a text. “And I’d be leaving, too, if I hadn’t promised two college buddies I’d meet them for a drink, trust me.”

“Don’t forget Augustine’s in early tomorrow, bro, so not too late if you value your job.” Jack pinched Sam’s shoulder on his way out. “Thanks for dinner, Sam, and I couldn’t be happier with the news.”

“Me too, Doc.” Chase offered a quick handshake. “Appreciate the dinner—the best I’ve had in months. But then a pastor can’t afford what you high-rollers can.”

“Can I get you anything else, Dr. Cunningham?”

Sam glanced up in surprise, wondering how Emily knew he was a physician.

She gave a slight shrug, her megawatt smile putting him on-guard. “Your friends kept calling you ‘Doc,’ so I just assumed.”

Sam quickly rose. “Actually, I’d love a cappuccino, Em, out on the terrace if that’s okay. I’m meeting more friends in a few minutes.”

“Absolutely, Doc.” Her head tipped in question. “And … anything for your ‘friends’?” The question seemed to beg an answer as to whether his friends were male or female.

Sam paused, wondering if Reece still put away the Wild Turkey like he used to. No doubt, Zach was still hooked on Bud Light. “Yeah, Em, thanks for asking—bring me a Wild Turkey on the rocks and a Bud Light too, if you will.”

“Sure thing, Sam,” she said softly, way too much familiarity in her tone. Her over-the-shoulder smile lingered as she headed for the bar, and he instantly made a beeline for the terrace, completely ruined for other women by the one girl he hoped to make his wife. Shannon was truly one of a kind, and gratitude instantly flooded his soul while moisture flooded his eyes. “Thank you, God,” he whispered as he made his way to the far end of the terrace.

Sinking into the plush cushions of a rattan sofa seating, he fixed his gaze on the Savannah Bridge at night. The cable-stayed bridge was all lit up like a grand lady adorned in glittering diamonds, and he couldn’t count the times he’d sat up here with various women. But not once had he truly appreciated the beauty of Savannah’s historic riverfront. With a tangerine moon drizzling over an indigo river, the distant call of foghorns merged with the pungent smell of the salt marshes that so reminded him of the ocean mere miles away. But tonight, he saw and heard it all as if for the very first time, suddenly painfully aware how empty his life had been.

Before Shannon.

“Here you go, Sam, one cappuccino, a Wild Turkey on the rocks, and a Bud Light.” Emily bent over to set the drinks down, providing an ample view of her V-neck halter and a killer smile. “How about something sweet to go with that coffee, Doc?” she asked, her voice suddenly husky and low.

Patting the washboard stomach he worked so hard to maintain, he tempered his smile to cordial. “No, thanks, Emily, couldn’t eat another thing.”

“I wasn’t talking about food, Doc,” she whispered, slipping a piece of paper with what looked like a phone number on it under the Wild Turkey. “I get off at eleven if you change your mind.” Tossing him a secret smile that carried all the way to the door, she disappeared back inside, and Sam shook his head, amazed he’d ever been attracted to women who came on to him like that.

“The hot girls are still hitting on you, I see,” a familiar voice said with a chuckle that harbored a trace of envy. “Bet you have to carry a stick now that you have your MD.”

Sam glanced up to see two of his fraternity brothers approach with lurid grins, taking him back to college days when he took full advantage of women who hit on him back then. He hadn’t been a player until Amber betrayed him, having an affair with her professor while she wore Sam’s two-bit diamond ring. From that point on, he took whatever women were willing to give, and the lewd looks on Zach’s and Reece’s faces reminded him it had been plenty. The thought made him feel both nauseous and dirty at the same time, and never had he craved a hot shower more.

“Naw,” Sam said as he stood to shake their hands, “she’s just hoping to boost her tip.”

Zach elbowed Reece with a snicker. “Yeah, I’ll bet she is—delivered personally to her apartment.”

“You guys haven’t changed a bit, you know that?” Sam sat back down and lifted his cup in a toast. “But it’s still good to see you. What are you two clowns doing in Savannah anyway?”

That’s all it took to unleash ten years of crazy catch-up, nearly bringing Sam to tears with laughter, reminding him just why he’d been friends with two of the fraternity’s funniest guys. They’d made him laugh and forget while he made them popular with the ladies, a trade-off that had served them all well.

He learned they were married to sisters and each had two kids, although it sure didn’t show in their actions when Emily delivered more drinks and another cappuccino. They practically drooled, as if one out-of-town trip had dropkicked them right back into college.