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Aero had to respect that. “Sure. What can I do for you?”
“Just this,” Sam whispered, snuggling closer. “This is perfect.”
Aero couldn’t help but smile. He hugged her tighter, inhaling her intoxicating lavender scent.
With Aero holding her, his strong body protecting her, and his acceptance and affection forming a shield around her, Sam could almost forget Mike and his treachery. Almost.
Sam was about to suggest another glass of wine, but the sound of Molly’s key in the lock ended their sweet moment and prompted Sam to stand from Aero’s lap and start cleaning up.
“I’ll get that,” Aero said, taking the containers from her hands and carrying them into the kitchen.
“Hey,” Molly said, hanging up her coat and spying the wine glasses on the coffee table. She arched a brow, but politely called out, “Hi, Aero.”
“Hi, Molly,” he called back but stayed in the kitchen.
“Have a good night,” Molly said, and Sam nodded once in approval.
“You too,” he said, and Sam smiled. Sweet progress.
Once Molly’s bedroom door clicked shut, Aero emerged from the kitchen. “How’d I do?”
Sam laughed. “Fine. That was good. Thank you.”
“I should head home. I know you’re up early.”
Sam wanted to protest, to convince Aero to stay the night, but suddenly wasn’t sure they could handle it. Shaking her head, she opted to push that hurdle off for another night and walked him to the door. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Anytime. Goodnight, Sammy.”
Aero kissed Sam softly, but thoroughly, before leaving the apartment. Sam watched him go, happy butterflies fluttering about in her stomach as she watched his truck fade into the darkness.
Chapter 12
“Yeah, I’m just dropping off some paperwork and then I’m heading home.”
Sam tucked her cell phone between her ear and shoulder, talking to her mother as she sealed the envelope containing her application for a grant and turned it over to write the address on the front.
“Did you put on enough stamps?” Her mother, Donna, asked in her usual nagging way.
“Yes, Mom.” Sam rolled her eyes, but smiled, as she affixed several stamps to the large envelope. The application was due on Friday, so Sam was giving it plenty of time to get there.
“I just know it’s important to you,” Donna said. “I can’t wait to see what you do with your students once you win.”
“Mom, there’s no guarantee I’ll get the money. A lot of people apply for grants, and there’s not a lot of money to go around.” Sam double and triple-checked the address, avoiding Rachel Dean’s gaze from behind her desk as she placed the paperwork into the outgoing mail bin.
“Oh, please, Samantha, you’ll absolutely get it. No one deserves it more than you.”
Tears burned the backs of Sam’s eyes at her mother’s confidence. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Drive safe. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sam ended the call and tucked her phone into her bag, making sure she had her charger, wallet, and sunglasses.
“Have a good Christmas, Sam,” Rachel said, her nails clacking away on her keyboard.
Sam bit her tongue to avoid saying something rude, instead settling on, “You too,” before exiting the office and driving home to meet Aero for drinks.
“I didn’t know what to get you for Christmas,” Aero admitted, sipping from his beer as Sam came to sit beside him on the couch.
