Page 11 of Let’s Be Real

I’d never noticed how often she smiled. Then again, I couldn’t remember ever having a one-on-one conversation with her. The way she and Adrian were attached at the hip, it made sense.

Ben and Roman were convinced they were in love. I hadn’t given it much thought, but now I was curious.

Not that I would ask.

It wasn’t my business.

I looked down at my plate, surprised by how clear it was. “These were my first middle-of-the-night nachos. Thank you.”

“Really?” Her hand dropped to her lap. “What was your junk food of choice when you got back from the bar in college?”

“I didn’t really do the bar scene in college. I commuted.”

“That’s right.” She nodded to herself. “I forgot about that. Did you not want to do the whole dorm thing?”

“I don’t know.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I wasn’t willing to leave Rome, Ben, and Ade, so I never put thought into it.”

Her lashes fluttered as she exhaled softly. “They were teenagers. They could’ve fended for themselves.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t want them to. And, truth be told, I didn’t want to be away from them. It was a…not-great time for me. If I had gone away…well, I’m glad I didn’t.”

I wasn’t sure I would have survived. As it were, it had been touch and go. If Roman hadn’t found me, stopped me, dragged me to get help, I might not have been sitting here.

There were still days I thought it wouldn’t have been so bad, but right now, I wasn’t minding being here so much.

Her fingers grazed my arm. “I’m glad too.” Then she swiveled on her stool, leaning her chin on her fist. “You’re cooler than I thought.”

Once again, out of nowhere, I laughed. “All the things I’ve said to you tonight have led you to believe I’m cool? Maybe we should talk about your standards.”

“Oh, we definitely should.” A crooked smile. A flash of white teeth. Light dancing on soft green velvet. “But that’s not relevant right now. I think it’s cool how open you are. That takes guts.”

“It must be the nachos.”

She gave my arm a light shove. “I’m sure that’s it. Has nothing to do with the great company.”

I tilted my head toward her. “The company isn’t so bad.”

“No, it’s not.” A yawn interrupted her next smile and she giggled. “Well, that hit me like a ton of bricks.”

“Go to bed.” I slid her demolished plate away from her. “I’ll clean up.”

“Then go to bed?”

Since I didn’t want to lie to her, all I said was, “Thanks for the nachos.”

With a sigh, she hopped off her stool. “Thanks for the chat.” Then she draped her blazer over her arm and waved. “Good night, Nate. Get some sleep.”

Yeah, it had been. A better night than I’d had in a while.

“Night, Samantha.”

I didn’t sleep, but I didn’t reread the text either.

And that was something.

Chapter Five

Samantha