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I’m suddenly struck with an idea. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
She shrugs. “Nothing really.”
“Would you like to come to a party at my house? I understand it may be a little weird, considering you’re Samuel’s doctor, but my best friend will probably invite every man and their dog, so odds are you won’t even see Sam.”
She looks at Saxon, who is looking down at me, puzzled.
Yes, it’s extremely weird that I’m setting him up with the gorgeous doctor, considering we kissed not even twenty-four hours ago. But this is what friends do. We both agreed to forget it and what better way for that to happen than for Saxon to be paired up with someone like Sophia. She matches him in all aspects. It’s a match made in heaven.
I ignore the pang of jealousy when she says yes. “Perfect. I’ll text you the details, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. Thank you for the invite. I look forward to it.” She smiles at Saxon, who returns the gesture half-heartedly.
“Well, I better go salvage those plants,” she says, picking up on the sudden weird vibe Saxon is throwing out.
“Maybe try some compost or peat moss,” I suggest. “It might help.” She thanks me for the tip and bids us both farewell.
Saxon remains quiet, guarding his thoughts.
“So, looks like we better stock up on beer,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
He replies with a stiff, upper lip smile.
* * * * *
I had a side order of awkward with lunch.
Saxon is angry at me, and I’m pretty certain it’s got to do with the fact I invited Sophia over on Saturday. I thought he’d be happy, as he wasn’t exactly recoiling in disgust when she was flirting with him.
This is exactly the type of awkward I wanted to avoid. I have no one to blame but myself.
“I’m going to call my mom. I should check in with her,” I call out to Saxon, who is tossing bags of feed from the truck.
He replies with a nod.
As I drag my feet up the porch steps, I sigh at the predicament I find myself in. My life as I know it officially sucks. I thought I could have a do-over for my sins, but I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. But I don’t deserve easy.
What I did to Samuel was unforgivable. I deserve every ounce of grief I feel. I also should have kept my nose out of Saxon’s personal life because he clearly doesn’t appreciate me playing cupid.
Feeling awfully sorry for myself, I open my bedroom door, deciding to keep out of Saxon’s way for the rest of the afternoon. However, I yelp when I bump into Samuel. He’s dressed in blue jeans and a black and white checkered shirt. His hair is wet and simply styled, but the heavy handed cologne reveals he’s dressed to impress.
“I’m going out,” he says, reaching for this wallet off the dresser.
That’s it? No explanation to where he’s going or who he’s going with.
“Okay. What time will you be back?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound like a nag.
“I don’t know,” he says dismissively, patting down his pockets to ensure he’s got everything he needs.
His offhand attitude tips me over the edge. I’ve had enough. “Sam, this has got to stop. Your love-hate attitude is beyond confusing. Stop treating me like the enemy. I’m only trying to help you.”
My words appear to fuel an out of control fire. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this, but I don’t want your help!” I recoil when he yells the word help.
“Sam…”
But he doesn’t want to talk. “For the love of the god, Lucy, just shut up,” he groans. “Your voice has got to be one of the most annoying sounds in the world. Aren’t you tired of hearing yourself complain? I know I am.”
The stress of the past few weeks, not to mention the past twenty-four hours, suddenly explodes out of me and I decide now is a good time to tell Sam how I feel. Sophia’s words of wisdom can bite me. “You owe me like a hundred apologies! I’ve tried to be accepting. I’ve allowed you to lash out, but enough is enough! You can’t treat me this way.” I shove at his chest, he stumbles backwards, stunned. “I’m not your punching bag and your mood swings are giving me whiplash. You’re a mean, selfish asshole, Samuel, and if this is the new you, then I want nothing to do with you!” I take a deep breath, my purge making me feel somehow worse.
