AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sam smiled. “Of course, I would.”
Lily ran off to grab a book, and they moved to a corner of the room so they wouldn't be disturbed or disturb anyone else. In all, they read three books.
Sarah walked over after the third book. ”Lily, that’s enough now, go put your book away and start saying your goodbyes.” She grumbled a bit but did as her mom bid.
“Sorry she commandeered you, Sam.”
“No problem, I liked it. My granddaughter is her same age. I hope they can meet soon.”
Sarah smiled. “That would be nice. You know, my mom doesn't spend a lot of time with the kids, so she is excited Dad has a new grandma for her. I hope she didn't embarrass you too bad before.”
Sam laughed. “I wasn't sure what to say, what she knew or thought. More than anything, I didn't want to say the wrong thing.”
They chatted a bit more, but soon, Sarah and Cole began packing up the kids and getting ready to leave.
Gray wrapped his arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Are you ready to go?”
She nodded. ”I guess I’m a little exhausted from meeting everyone.” Mary took Sam’s face in both of her hands and kissed her on the cheek.
“It was very nice meeting you, Sam. I’ll see you next week, okay?”
“If you’re sure, I’d love to join you. May I bring something?”
“No dear, this is my gig. We enjoy having our family over, and I enjoy fussing and cooking. Just join us.”
Harry hugged Sam, then he and Gray hugged and shoulder patted, and they were off. Gray took her hand and walked her to the SUV, opened her door, and as she was starting to step up, he grabbed her waist and held her for a minute. He gave her one of his toe-curling kisses that she loved so much.
“Thank you.”
Sam looked at him and said, “For what?”
He smiled. “For coming into my life. Thank you.”
Her eyes teared up. Wow, he was thanking her for coming into his life? She should be thanking him!
12
On the drive home from Gray’s parents’, Sam asked, “I haven’t seen a tattoo on you or a scar where one might have been removed. Didn’t you get marked when you got married?”
Gray took a deep breath. “No. Suzanne wasn’t my soul mate. She wasn’t someone I wanted to mark myself with.”
“But you were together for so long; you had children together,” she remarked.
He glanced toward her and then out the windshield. “I’ve always wanted that—to be marked and to have someone to wear my mark. In my family, it’s very important; it means you belong to someone and someone belongs to you. Not in a slave-master way, but in a loving way that means someone loves you enough to wear your initials on their body forever. But I didn’t want that with Suzanne.”
Sam nodded and squeezed his hand again.
“I’m sorry you haven’t had that in your life, Gray.”
Gray pulled into the garage and turned the ignition in the truck. They silently walked into the kitchen, and he promptly poured them a glass of wine. They plopped down on the sofa next to each other. Gray flipped through the channels and found nothing of interest. He stopped on the news and turned the volume down and looked over at Sam.
With a bit of a pained expression on his face, he asked, “Can we talk?”
“Of course. Is something wrong?”
He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, he turned toward her.
“Are you ashamed of me?”
