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Mom stands and hugs Sam, but he keeps his eyes on me. A small smile plays on his lips, and I feel myself involuntarily smile back. Mom releases her grasp on him, and he sits down right beside me. This proximity causes a warm sensation to wash over me as I continue processing the fact that this gorgeous man is now my stepbrother. I suddenly feel self-conscious, and his nearness isn’t helping AT ALL.
“Have you ordered yet?” Sam addresses everyone on the table.
“We were just about to get drinks and appetizers,” his father replies.
Sam nods, turns to me, and asks, “What would you like to drink, Sara?”
I tell him that I just like a coke, and when the waiter approaches, Sam gives him the drink order for both of us.
“How’s Lucky adjusting to the shelter?” It’s a simple question, but he might as well have asked me something personal because my throat feels dry.
“He’s doing fine,” I tell him. “He smells a lot better, too.”
“I’m glad. I knew when I met you that you were the right person to help him. You have this warmth and compassion that I don’t see very often.” I feel my cheeks grow rosy again. I’m equally confused and intrigued by my reaction to him. It doesn’t help when I smell a whiff of something musky and masculine.
We’ve all but forgotten the reason for this gathering, and I glance over to see that my mother and new stepfather are eyeing us suspiciously. I hastily try to distract her. “What are your plans now that you’re back home?”
Mark takes my mother’s hand and says, “After much discussion, we’ve decided that we’re going to sell your mother’s house. She lives with me anyway, so why not put her place on the market?”
My heart sinks a bit at the idea of my childhood home belonging to someone else. But my mother seems so happy and I only want what’s best for her, so I nod and smile as my mother goes on and on about remodeling Mark's place and bringing his kitchen into the new millennia. Mark must have picked up on my disappointment because he breaks into the conversations and says, “Sara, I know that you’ve been living at your mom’s place while she’s been away, and if you like, you can move in with us. Your mother has told me about your financial difficulties with the shelter, and I want you to know that we have the room and we’d love to have you.”
“Absolutely, you have to move in with us,” my mother adds. “We have to do some work on the old place if we want to get top dollar for it, and you can’t live in a construction zone so it’s settled. You’re moving in with us.”
Sam quietly watches the dynamics of the table then says, “That’s a nice offer. You should take them up on it. I didn’t know the shelter was having difficulties. Is there something that I can do to help?”
My voice quivers a bit from a strange combination of embarrassment and gratitude, and I shake my head. “I don’t think so but thank you. That’s very nice of you.”
“Well, let me give you my number so you can keep me up to date on Lucky, and if you think of any way that I can help, let me know. Also, if you need help moving, I’m here for that, too. My truck is yours,” he tells me. I pull out my phone and give him my number, so he sends me a text.
I open the message and stare at it for a long time, my breath hitching. It reads, “Don’t leave before we get a chance to speak in private.”
3
Meeting My Stepfamily
Sam
Seeing Sara was the last thing that I expected tonight. Top that with the fact that she looks amazing in her little dress with her hair down, and it takes me a second to regain my composure as I make my way to the table.
When my father told me that he’d met a woman and that they were getting married, I was concerned but happy that he found someone, but discovering that his new wife is Sara’s mother complicates things for me. I spend most of the dinner playing out scenarios in my head. What would be the real harm in pursuing her? It’s not like we’re raised together as brother and sister, and we aren’t related by blood, so why shouldn’t I follow my instincts and go for it? I make up a reason to text her at the table and tell her that I want to speak to her alone.
We spend the rest of the evening listening to stories about our parents’ travels in Europe, how they met, where they stayed, and what they ate. I’m happy for them, but I just can’t focus on anything but getting Sara alone. The longer I’m near here, the more I want her. Part of me knows this isn’t one-sided because the air between us crackles with heat, and her eyes are on me whenever I give her cursory glances.
When dinner is over, I take Sara by the arm and say, “I’ll walk you to your car.” She nods and we exit the restaurant together. We walk silently to her car, and I tug on her arm before she goes inside. “Sara, I’m sorry that our conversation got cut short today. I was going to ask for your number because I’d like to take you out and get to know you better.”
Her eyes widen, but she lifts one corner of her mouth. “I’d like that.”
“Okay, let’s go then,” I reply and take her by the hand.
“You mean now?” she asks but doesn’t pull her hand back. She frantically looks around, probably checking whether our parents are watching.
“Yes, now. Look at you, baby. You’re already dressed.” I open the door and let her in. Once she’s in the passenger’s seat, I walk around to the driver’s side. She’s buckling her seatbelt when I turn to her. “I know of a little café down by the river that has the best cheesecake in town. How about dessert and coffee?”
She chuckles and tucks a rogue strand of hair behind her ear. “I love cheesecake.”
Wanting to get the obvious out of the way, I reach for her hand. “I know this may seem a bit weird, but I’m taking you out because I’m interested in you, not because our parents decided to marry each other. I’m not looking for a stepsister. I want something more romantic. With the way you’ve been looking at me, I think it’s safe to assume that we both want the same thing.”
She looks down at her lap and replies, “That’s what I thought but it’s kind of crazy, don’t you think?”
