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Tank nodded. “Good Lord, who knew there was so much to think about. The whole family was at the office this afternoon. I don’t mind telling you with all those women in the room talking about food, drink, music, cakes, and on and on, my head was spinning.”
Tank gave a mock shudder; Sam and Gray laughed. But in truth, Sam worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Her appetite floated away and her nerves kicked up a notch. Her fingers shook slightly, perspiration gathered between her breasts and her shoulders stiffened beyond normal tension.
They made small talk, David engaging Cheryl in conversation as much as he could. She appeared to grow nervous, and as time passed, Sam became dizzy with worry.
Gray asked, “Are you living back in Harmony Lake, Cheryl, or are you just visiting?”
She licked her lips and lightly rubbed her neck. “I have an apartment here. I’m looking for a job right now, but have enough money saved up to live on for a while. Once I find work I’ll take my money from the sale of my house in Michigan and buy one here.”
David turned toward Sam. “How are you doing, Sam? Have your headaches stopped?”
Surprise dropped her mouth open, but she quickly snapped it shut, her eyes sliding to Gray’s. He nodded slightly which brought her to the question at hand.
“Just a little bit when I get tired. The doctor said it would go away in time. Gray takes care of me, though,” she said as she caught his eyes.
“Gray, I heard Jamie has a girlfriend. How’s that going?” Cheryl asked, a smirk on her face.
Gray looked at Cheryl, his brows raised and the surprise clear on his face. “This is new news to us all Cheryl; how on earth did you hear about that?”
She was quick to stammer, “I heard it at church … just this morning.”
Gray fidgeted and sat closer to Sam. He made a move to have Sam slide over so he could sit next to her on her bench. He looked at David. “Sorry pal, your ass touching mine on this bench is more than I care to deal with at the moment.”
They laughed, and David shot back at him, “That was my plan, to get you to move. When my food gets here, it’s no holds barred and I wanted the room.”
Gray wrapped his left arm around Sam’s waist and squeezed her.
The waitress brought their food, and Gray leaned down to Sam’s ear and whispered, “Try and eat baby, so it doesn’t look like you’re nervous.”
He kissed the side of her head. She looked at him, smiled, and nodded. She tried to eat a few bites, but they were sitting hard in her stomach. She settled for pushing her food around her plate.
Cheryl watched them like a hawk. Every move seemed as though it was under inspection. Her fascination with their life continued; it was almost as if she were torturing herself. She rubbed her neck a few times with the pads of her fingers, sat straight and arched her back to relieve tension. David and Tank continued to make small talk and Sam and Gray each joined in when they could.
“Gray, how are the honeymoon plans coming?” Cheryl asked.
Gray looked at David first, then to Cheryl. “Good, though I’m not divulging any information. It’s going to be a surprise for Sam.”
Sam looked at Gray and cocked her head to the side. “You aren’t telling me where we’re going?”
He shook his head no. “How will I pack?”
“I’ll take care of it.” His voice grew low and so darn sexy.
She furrowed her brows. When she packed, she really packed, leaving nothing to chance. Warm clothes, cold clothes, swimsuits, extra underwear and socks, extra everything. “I don’t know how I feel about that!”
He chuckled. “You’ll feel fine about it. You’ll see. I’m a great packer.”
Cheryl snorted and looked like she was going to say something but noticed everyone looking at her. Sam wondered if Gray and Cheryl had traveled somewhere together. That thought was the last straw during this dinner. The tension was tight enough without having to think that Gray and Cheryl had spent some romantic weekend away together, probably screwing each other’s brains out.
The waitress came by and asked if they were ready for their bill. Gray nodded and she handed it to him; he, in turn, gave her his credit card and she was off.
Sam was ready to get the hell out of here, but she wondered how they were going to pull that off.
David saved the day. “You guys have plans tonight?”
Gray looked at him and shrugged. “It’s been a long day, actually. We’ve been working since early this morning and right now Sam is working two jobs, trying to wrap up at the law office, so I think we’ll just head home. How about you?”
David looked at Gray and Tank. “I know you guys are tired, but I wondered if I could follow you home and throw a couple business ideas your way. I would love your opinion on these as well, Sam. Do you guys mind? I promise not to overstay my welcome.”
