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“The feeling is mutual.” Arden felt heat rise to her cheeks at the admission, but she didn’t regret it. She wanted Sam to know how she felt, without a doubt.
“So, did you have a speech planned? Can I hear it?”
Arden laughed. “I actually had no plan whatsoever. I just knew I had to see you, to explain that I’d made a mistake.”
Sam wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “Truth be told, I had just left to find you.”
“Really?”
“I left as soon as I got off the phone with Phoebe.”
They both smiled, the tips of their noses brushing together.
“I should send her a thank-you card,” Arden said.
Sam made an incredulous sound. “Wasn’t it her fault we broke things off in the first place?”
“Was it? Who knows?”
As much as Arden would have enjoyed snuggling in bed and whispering sweet nothings for the rest of the evening, she needed to head back to Phoebe’s apartment. Her flight was the next afternoon, and she wanted to start packing tonight.
When she told Sam this, he looked so disappointed that she almost changed her mind. But her belongings were strewn all around Phoebe’s place, and she really wanted to shower and wash her hair.
“Breakfast tomorrow?” She twined her fingers into his. He kissed her forehead in the affirmative.
“I know just the place. Want to walk over around nine? What time is your flight?”
“I should be on the train to the airport around noon. Nine sounds perfect.”
“Meet you outside Phoebe’s?”
Arden nodded. How was it possible that this was the last time they would make a plan like this? That their easy days of walking to meet up, of going on dates that ended in either his bed or hers, would be over after tomorrow? Arden didn’t know what she wanted to happen. She knew she didn’t want to say goodbye to Sam for good. But did she really want to sign up for a long-distance relationship? Maybe a good night’s sleep would bring some clarity, and they could discuss it over breakfast tomorrow.
As Arden dressed, Sam pulled on his black sweatpants and a plain white T-shirt. With his hair rumpled, he looked deliciously adorable. Arden drank him in, grabbing his hands and pulling them around her waist.
“What’s that look for?”
“I guess this is just how my face looks when I look at you.”
“I must be the luckiest man in the world.”
“I’m so happy you came to The Nutcracker tonight, Sam.”
“Best decision of my life.” Sam dipped his face to hers and kissed her gently, unhurriedly, his mouth exploring hers like he wanted to savor the taste of her. She moaned, thinking how easy it would be to hop back into his bed. But she had just put all that effort into getting her clothes on, so …
Finally, she stepped back and smiled at him. “See you in the morning.”
“See you then.”
Chapter 33
Phoebe
What felt like the longest moment of Phoebe’s life followed her declaration. Jonathan’s gaze softened from surprise to warm amusement.
“You want me to kiss you?”
“Technically, I just said it’s one of my biggest regrets—”
