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“No. He told me he had been married, and made it clear his wife was no longer living but didn’t tell me what happened to her,” Sam explained. “I tried not to push him.”
“Wow, Sam,” Anthony said softly. “That’s a lot. Are you sure you’ll be able to handle that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped, getting offended at his lack of faith in her.
“I didn’t mean you aren’t strong enough to handle someone with baggage. It’s just that you’re so young. You have your whole life ahead of you. Are you sure you wanna be saddled with someone who has so many issues?” Anthony asked, his voice sympathetic but firm. He couldn’t live Sam’s life for her, couldn’t protect her from everything and everyone who might hurt her, but he couldn’t help but try and get through to her before she made a terrible mistake or was harmed.
“I like him,” Sam said. “A lot. He’s kind and romantic. He makes me feel special.”
Anthony’s lips twitched into a smile. “Good. You deserve to be treated like a princess.”
Sam rolled her eyes.
“Give him some time, Squirt. See where this goes. If you really wanna be with him, then he’ll need your patience and understanding while he works through his trauma. It won’t be easy, and you should really think about where you’re heading and if this guy really is the right one for you.” Anthony smiled gently, taking her almost empty glass. “I’ll refill this.”
He winked and disappeared into the kitchen.
Sam pulled out her phone and smiled, seeing a text from Aero. While Anthony’s words and warnings swirled about in her head, she couldn’t stop the little flutter of excitement in her heart at seeing his name on her phone screen. Unlocking her phone, she read his message.
Aero:Glad you’re safe. Have fun. I miss you. x
? ? ? ? ?
“Sammy,” Aero said huskily, stepping into the apartment and taking her face into his hands.
She didn’t speak, instead soaking up his scent and the feeling of his rough palms on her skin.
Aero kissed her, long and deep, backing her up against the wall inside the door. She squeaked in surprise. It was the most contact they’d had in almost a month.
“I missed you,” Sam admitted.
“I missed you, too,” Aero said, and he had.
As much as he wanted Sam to have a good time and see her brother, and as much as he needed some time to himself, he had desperately wanted her home in his arms.
“How was your trip?” he asked, stroking her cheekbone with his thumb.
“Good. I got caught up with my brother. We did some fun things,” Sam said, closing her eyes at the sensation of his touch. “I brought you a present.”
He pressed his forehead to hers and grinned. “A present?”
She nodded. “It’s in my room.”
“Lead the way,” Aero said and she took his hand, guiding him to her room.
Inside she picked up a bag from her dresser and handed it to him.
Aero’s eyes lit up and she stifled a laugh. He reminded her of a kid on Christmas. He sat on the edge of her bed and looked up.
“Thank you,” he said and she giggled.
“You haven’t opened it yet,” Sam said, sitting next to him.
“I love it already,” he said, not caring how corny it sounded. Whatever it was, she picked it out for him and he’d use it, eat it, wear it, whatever.
“Open it,” she said, bumping him with her shoulder.
He did, pulling out a few pieces of tissue paper before pulling out the first item. It was a coffee mug. White ceramic with a printed image of the state of New Mexico on it, he turned it in his hands. On the back was AERO in red letters. He smiled.
