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“No, of course not.” Placing the brush on the edge of the basin, I turn around and take the tie from his hands. “You always sucked at this.” He chuckles, not bothering to contest my claims because they’re true.
Standing on tippy toes, I loop the tie around his neck and lift the collar of his pressed shirt. “I didn’t realize this was a black-tie affair. I suddenly feel underdressed,” I tease. I’m wearing a little black dress, but it’s simple compared to Sam’s stylish threads.
“You look nice,” Sam says, using the most noncommittal word in the English language. But I don’t mind.
As I begin knotting his tie, I can’t help but notice he’s wearing my favorite cologne. The fragrance transports me back to when I remember him wearing it last—it was a week before our wedding. Shaking such thoughts from my mind, I focus on the task at hand.
Sam’s soft breaths butter my cheeks as he watches me closely. This intimacy suddenly causes my steady hands to shake. “All d-done,” I falter, cringing when I sound like a pubescent teen. I quickly pull back, a strained smile tugging at my lips.
“Thanks.” I expect him to walk out the door, but he doesn’t. He gently brushes a strand of hair from my cheek. “Not just for the tie, but for coming back. I think I’ve made real progress this week, and I think that’s thanks to you.”
“No, Sam, it’s all you.” I wave him off, wanting no part in his victory, but he stands his ground.
“I feel stronger with you here, Lucy.” His fingertips linger on my skin, and I softly shrug from his touch. I’m glad, but him stroking me so openly has the boundary line blurring, and I don’t like it.
“That’s what friends are for.” The worse cliché ever, but in our circumstance, it’s the only reason I’m here.
Sam nods once, his shoulders slumping. “Well, I’m glad we can be friends.”
“Me too.” My lips are suddenly dry.
Even though Sam and I have established we’re friends and nothing more, moments like these make me believe maybe I’m kidding myself. But Piper’s words of wisdom crash into me, and I remember that this is normal. We’re still navigating the boundaries.
The doorbell chimes, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Groaning, I forget my woes and concentrate on surviving the night.
“Ready?”
“No.”
Sam smiles, but it appears weak. This is not a good start. “I’ll meet you out there.” He doesn’t wait for me to reply and quickly exits. The moment he’s gone, I take a deep breath.
Just when I think we’ve made progress, something like this happens, which has me doubting our ability to be friends. I can think about this later, however, because Kellie’s unmistakable voice booms down the hallway.
Applying some lip gloss, I slip into my strappy heels and put my game face on. I have no idea what I’m walking into, but I’ll do so wearing my best shoes. Brushing my sweaty palms down the front of my dress, I take two calming breaths before walking into the living room where Sam is taking his mother’s fur coat. The moment she sees me, her painted red lips twist into a scowl, but it soon disappears. Kellie Stone is all for show, and tonight will be no exception.
“Lucy, darling, hello. You look lovely.” She gestures for me to give her a hug. Sam and Greg stand behind her, and I can see them holding their breaths.
Remembering why I agreed to do this, I force down my need to run in the opposite direction and give her a light hug. “Thanks for coming. Both of you.” Greg nods, clearly relieved I’ve played nice.
Once I’ve been released from what feels like a Venus flytrap, I offer to get our guests a drink, but Sam jumps in. “I’ll get them. What does everyone want?” I could use his cast as an excuse to help him, but he’s proven to move just fine on his own.
“I’ll have a white wine.”
“A beer for me, son.”
When Sam looks at me, it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask for vodka—straight. But I wring my hands nervously. “I’ll have some wine too. Thanks.” He nods, almost silently asking permission if it’s okay that he leaves me alone with mommy dearest. I smile in return.
Once he’s gone, I attempt to engage in civil conversation, but I have no idea what to say. When Sam and I were together, I had no issues talking to Greg and Kellie, but that was a lifetime ago. It was before Saxon. Just thinking his name has me frowning.
“Whatever you’ve cooked smells simply delicious,” Greg says, filling the silence.
“Oh, we decided to get tonight catered. We’ve packed up most of our kitchen, so it made…” I don’t get to finish my sentence however because Kellie’s mask slips, and in its place, is her bitter true form. Greg clears his throat.
Well, tonight has just turned to shit.
The doorbell rings, and I thank the stars something has worked in my favor. “If you’ll excuse me.” I don’t wait and practically run to the front door.
My parents know something is up the moment they see me. “I left the car running…just say the word.” It’s exactly what I needed to hear, and I instantly relax.
