And for the first time I wasn’t making sure my boyfriend wasn’t checking out other girls or annoying my friends.
He broke our kiss and pulled back. “You look beautiful.” He grazed his thumb across my cheekbone, not even glancing at what I was wearing, just pulling me toward him so we were thigh against hip. “I’m Sam,” he said to the group, “and this is Angie Jenkins.” I hadn’t seen the blonde girl next to him—when Sam was around, all I could focus on was him.
“Angie, hi,” I said and tried to pull away to greet her, but Sam kept me pressed firmly against his side.
After everyone introduced themselves, we made our way to the long dinner table. I’d invited forty-two people. Some family. Some friends. I hadn’t wanted a big party, just a quiet dinner. I sat in the middle. The table split quite easily into family at one end, starting with my dad next to me on my left and my mother the other side of him, and then my friends to my right. I hadn’t seated Sam next to me, but as I sat down and the heat of his hand left my hip, I wanted to quickly switch the name cards.
Harper didn’t even try to hide her delight with Sam and as soon as they sat down, she peppered him with questions.
“So, your husband’s working tonight? What does he do?” I asked Angie.
“He has a small construction company in Jersey.” Her gaze scanned the room, taking in the restaurant and then settled on me. “He’s working all hours at the moment on an office building they can’t touch during the day.”
“Oh, that’s tough, but I’m really pleased you could make it. I’m just sorry it’s for something like this and not somewhere where it’s just us. I can’t wait to get to know you better.” I held my breath, hoping she’d feel the same.
“Don’t be, it was nice of you to invite me. Sam really wanted me to come.” She shifted a little to allow the waiter to fill her water glass.
“So, you live in New Jersey?” I asked.
She laughed. “Yeah, my whole life. Thought it would be the last place I’d want to spend married life but Chas will never leave, so I guess I’m stuck.”
I knew she and Sam had been to high school together, and I wanted to ask her questions about him. Did he talk to her about his parents?
“I heard you grew up in his building?” Angie asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure he refers to me as the Park Avenue princess.”
Angie smiled and said, “I haven’t noticed him say that, but then, as I’m sure you’re finding out, he only says a fraction of what goes on in that big brain of his.”
“That’s for sure. I have to stop myself from asking him what he’s thinking eleven times an hour.” The waiters began serving our food and a murmur went around the table as plates were put in front of people.
“So, you’re spending a ton of time together then?”
Only most nights since I’d come back from Connecticut. “Yeah, though I haven’t known him long.”
“You have to take care of him,” she said, lowering her voice and leaning in to me just a fraction. “I’ve never seen him so taken with a woman. He likes you an awful lot.”
I reached for my water glass and took a sip. I really wanted to put it against my cheek to get rid of my blush. “I like him an awful lot, too.”
Angie smiled and squeezed my hand. “I hope so.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that he’s never liked anyone. And I imagine you’ve had other boyfriends . . .”
“It’s different for me, too. Maybe not as much as it is for Sam, but he’s not like any of my previous boyfriends. He keeps so much inside, and yet he’s the most open and honest man I’ve ever met. I will do everything not to hurt your friend, I promise.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to come across as overprotective . . .”
“I don’t blame you. It’s nice that you look out for each other.”
Angie laughed. “When I started dating Chas, he and Sam came to blows one night when Sam saw him talking to a woman at a bar. Sam didn’t ask any questions, just saw red and punched him. We’re a little protective of each other.”
I knew it was irrational, but I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. I wanted to have known Sam his whole life. There was still so much about him I didn’t know. I couldn’t imagine the cool, calm Sam Shaw punching someone. “Does he have a temper?” I asked, suddenly concerned.
Angie swallowed her water. “No, not at all. I’ve never seen him like that before or since. But there is so little he cares about in this world—I think he’d throw himself in front of a train for the things that matter to him.”
I may not have known Sam long, but Angie was describing the man I knew—loyal and protective. Why the hell was I spending my birthday among all these people when I just wanted to be curled up on Sam’s couch next to him? I ached for him, was lonely without him, even though he was just three feet away.
Angie excused herself from the table, and as she got up, Sam turned to find me staring at him. “You okay?” he asked quietly.
I leaned toward him, resting my hand on the warm leather of Angie’s seat. “I’m sorry I didn’t sit you next to me.”
He tilted his head to one side. “Don’t be sorry. I’m fine talking to Harper.”
“No, I mean I’m sorry for me. I miss you.”
He cocked his head, and narrowed his eyes. “You’re not enjoying your conversation with Angie?”
“Oh yes, of course. She’s so nice and clearly adores you. I just miss you.”
“I’m here, Princess,” he said, curling my hair behind my ear. “With you.”
And he was. I felt him in my heart.
Sam
Grace telling me she missed me when I was two feet away made me want to grab her hand and pull her out of there so the two of us could be alone. But part of me enjoyed seeing her with her friends and family. It was confirmation of who she was—kind and generous. Funny. Sexy. Gorgeous. She wasn’t a different person with them. The fact that she was a little uncomfortable with all the attention made sense, too. I liked being able to observe these things about her from a distance.
I also liked being able to talk to Grace’s friends—they were such a reflection of her. Harper was sitting next to me and was feisty and charming. Her husband, Max, clearly worshipped her.
“So, are you serious about Grace?” Harper asked.
“Excuse my wife,” Max said. “She’s a total pain in the ass. Harper, don’t pressure the poor guy. They’ve only been dating a few weeks.”
I chuckled. “It’s fine. You can ask me anything. If I don’t want to answer, I’ll tell you.”
Harper turned to Max as if to say See? “You said you knew with me from the moment I walked into King & Associates,” she told her husband. “I want to know if it was the same for Sam.”
Max just rolled his eyes and Harper turned her attention back to me. “So, was it the same?” Harper asked.
“I’m not quite sure what you mean, but of course I thought Grace was attractive when I first met her.”