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She stared down at it like she didn’t understand the concept. “You’re C. Henley?”
I cocked an eyebrow. “The one and only,” I quipped. “You seem...surprised.”
“I’m not going to lie. I envisioned C. Henley as an elderly woman. With ten or fifteen cats.”
I laughed—I couldn’t help it, but she maintained her composure, managing to keep her expression stoic despite the slightest twitch of her lips. “Sorry to disappoint you,” I chuckled, shrugging. “There’s no one elderly in my apartment. Just me.”
With hesitation, she finally reached out and shook my hand gingerly, nodding. “Good to know.”
We stood there, silent. It could’ve been minutes that passed, or hours. And if it was uncomfortable for her, it wasn’t for me. I was too busy taking her in, basking in the prettiness and mystery that emanated from her every pore. I wanted to know this woman. I needed to.
She was the first to pull her hand away, but there was a hesitation in her movement, too. “Well, we should go.” She slid a hand down and clutched her son’s fingers in hers. “I’m, uh, sorry for yesterday. It was a rough day, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
I tucked my hand back into my pocket. “No need to apologize. How about you just tell me your name and we’ll call it even?” I suggested, a sly smile spreading across my face.
Her throat moved visibly, and she checked her son’s jacket, tugging at the zipper to make sure it was all the way up.
“Hi.” The little boy spoke louder than needed, and he waved at me excitedly, his hand flapping up and down with exaggeration.
I crouched down in front of him and his mom. “Hey there, little man.”
“We should go.” She squeezed the little boy’s hand tightly, her movements jerky enough to make me stand up again.
“Of course,” I said, like it was no big deal. “I’ll see you around.” It was a lame attempt to get her to stay, and I knew it as soon as it fell from my mouth. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
But the woman was already dragging her son toward the stairs, their jackets swishing together as they moved.
I let out a long breath. Shit. Somehow, I’d overstepped, and now I’d ruined any chance of—
“Cooper?”
I turned at the sound of my name on her lips, a shock of electricity traveling down my spine. “Yeah?”
She gave me a small grin. “I’m Samantha.” She waved a hand toward her son. “And this is Levi. I’m sure we’ll see you around. We are neighbors, after all.”
She left without another word, leaving me standing there in the hallway with a crooked grin on my face and a sliver of hope to hold on to. And that was more than I’d had in a long time.
CHAPTER THREE
SAMANTHA
“Rise and shine, buddy.” I whispered against Levi’s little ear and placed a kiss on his temple. I hated waking him, but I’d already let him sleep too late and if I didn’t get him up and ready now, I’d be late for work. Levi stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
“Morning, Mommy,” he said, groggy. Throwing his blankets back, he slid out of bed and ran toward the bathroom.
Afterwards, I told him gently, “Go get dressed. I put your outfit on your bed.”
I shuffled down the hall toward the kitchen, filled my travel mug with coffee, then sprinkled a spoonful of sugar and a splash of creamer into it.
My phone vibrated in the pocket of my dress pants, and I pulled it out to find I had a call coming in from Ethan.
“Hello?” I wasn’t sure why he’d be calling me, especially this early, when he very well could have texted. His voice was not one I particularly cared to hear unless I absolutely had to, whether it be due to drop-offs or pick-ups. But phone calls were generally unnecessary at this point.
“Hey, Sam. I won’t be able to get Levi today. Something came up with work and I have to go in.”
Of course, I thought. Of fucking course. I should have known.
“You’re kidding me, right?” I whispered angrily, low enough that Levi couldn’t hear me. “Levi, Mommy is going out in the hall for a minute!” I hollered loud enough so he could hear me from his room, then stepped out into the hallway, leaning heavily against the wall.
