I laugh. “I think she would, actually.”
“And you?”
“I’d marry her in Vegas tonight if that’s what she wanted.”
“So, I take it you…you haven’t told her yet, have you?”
He doesn’t have to specify to know what he’s talking about. “Not yet. She just got here and…and…fuck. I want the weekend together without ruining everything. Does that make me a selfish asshole?”
“Kind of, but I don’t blame you. Enjoy it, but know the longer you keep this from her, the harder it’s going to be to tell her. And when she finds out you didn’t tell her, she’ll be upset.”
“I don’t like you being so logical and wise. It’s unsettling.”
“It’s about time you start taking my advice, though your advice to fuck her out of my system did work in a way. I didn’t quite get her out of my system, but our one-night stand has turned into years of marriage.”
“And a million kids.”
“Some days it feels like two million. And don’t even get me started on the cats.”
“You have one for each kid.”
“And then some,” Archer grumbles.
“Just have more kids.”
He gives me the side-eye and I laugh.
“Enjoy your weekend,” Archer goes on. “Then tell her.”
“Right. I can’t put off the inevitable. I should just tell her tonight…well, maybe not since she’s been drinking. Or maybe I should open a bottle of wine first. Fuck.”
“It’ll work out,” Archer assures me, though I don’t share his confidence. “It doesn’t change how you feel about her.”
“Right,” I say again. It doesn’t change how I feel about Chloe, and if anything, reminds me just how much I want things to be perfect between us. But it does change our plans, and she just brought up the fact our long-distance relationship is able to work because neither of us are tied down—for the time being. How am I supposed to go visit here in LA or join her on book tours when I’m trying to co-parent a child with a woman I’m not even in love with? “I gotta rip it off like a band-aid,” I go in, speaking mostly to myself. “And just tell Chloe.”
The second the sentence leaves my mouth, Chloe snakes her arms around my waist. I turn, looking at her beautiful face and her innocent smile, which widens when she locks eyes with me.
“Tell me what?”
8
Chloe
“Tell me what?” I ask, arms around Sam’s waist. The air is cool and he’s nice and warm up against me. I might be a little tipsy, and I’m having a fabulous time tonight.
“That Mason is responsible for me finally making a move,” Sam rushes out.
“Huh? Mason…I’m…I’m confused.”
“That night,” Sam starts, angling is body toward mine. “Remember how weird Mason was being.”
“Yeah, he was very handsy.”
“He was?” Sam’s brows push together with anger. “That asshole. I swear to fucking god I’m going to—”
“I’m joking. He was very friendly, but not handsy.”
“He was doing it on purpose to egg me on because he knew I was in love with you.”
“He knew I was in love with you too,” I say slowly. “That’s why you wanted to thank him.”
“Yeah.” Sam puts his arms around me and kisses my forehead. We’re stopped at a street corner, and I rest my head against Sam’s chest, looking out at the city.
“Since Nightfall takes place in a fictional version of Silver Ridge, my characters have on occasion traveled down to Chicago,” I tell Sam. “It’s cool seeing it like this. It’s inspiring too.”
“I’m a good muse,” he says. “Especially when it comes to writing sex scenes.”
“Any more and I’ll have to call this book erotica and that would not go over well with the publisher.”
“Maybe just a deleted scene for me?” His hands slide down my waist and give my butt a quick squeeze.
“Get a room,” Quinn teases. If I’m tipsy, she’s drunk. We had a really nice time at dinner, and I like Quinn way more than I thought I would. Being friends with Sam’s friends is important to me, but I didn’t expect to become instant best friends with one of them. Quinn and I have a lot in common but are different enough it’s interesting to talk with her.
“I plan to,” Sam tells her, planting a kiss on my lips before stepping back and taking my hand in his. “I’d go now if we were ready to end our night out.”
“I’m getting kind of tired,” Quinn admits, scrunching up her nose. “I’m a lame mom, I know.”
“Nah, you’re not lame,” I tell her. “And I’m kind of tired too.” I’ve been fighting the sluggish feeling all day and hoped going out would knock it out, but the dull headache is coming back, and I really want a hot shower and Sam’s bed.
“And I have to work in the morning,” Sam adds. “We are lame.”
“We’re getting old,” Archer sighs, shaking his head. “I’d rather not drive home after midnight.”
“Are you parked nearby?” Sam asks as we cross the street.
“No,” Archer answers. “We parked in the garage by Quinn’s office and walked over. We’ll probably take an Uber back, it’s kind of a far walk.”
“I don’t mind walking,” Quinn says, taking his hand. “I miss the city and walking home from work.”
“You used to live here?” I ask.
She nods. “For several years. I worked at a software company right in the business district. I loved it.”
“What made you move?”
She looks up at Archer. “He got a job at the hospital in my hometown. I moved away for the job opportunity, but I always wanted to raise a family in Eastwood.”
Her words hit home, and I take it as yet another sign I’m meant to come back to the Midwest. Sam has a good job here in Chicago, but Chicago is a hell of a lot closer to Silver Ridge than LA is. I could easily drive home to see Dad, and Sam and I could escape to the lake on long weekends, soaking up the peace and quiet the solitude Silver Ridge has to offer.
“And that’s where Rory lives?”
“Yep! Ohh, I might see you there,” Quinn exclaims. “Sam comes to visit every once in a while. He’s our twins’ godfather too.”
“Awww, that’s sweet!”
“That’s only because they have so many kids Quinn ran out of family,” Sam pokes.
“It’s not far from the truth,” Archer says under his breath, and Quinn elbows him. “I have four brothers and you have one, we have five kids. I thought you were better at math than that.” She looks at me. “We picked Sam because we like him.”
I laugh. “That’s something we have in common.”
She smiles. “So hopefully I’ll see you again soon then.”
“I hope so too.”
We slow, moving to the side of the sidewalk to not be right in the way of the foot traffic. Quinn and Archer need to go the opposite way as us to get back to their car. Quinn and I exchange numbers, we say our goodbyes, and then Sam wraps his arm around me as we walk towards his apartment to try and catch a cab to go back home.
“I’m sorry if you wanted to stay out,” he tells me, fingers pressing into my waist.
“Don’t be. I really am tired.” I push a wave of hair out of my face. “Is it too soon to feel hung over?”
He laughs, tipping his head down to mine. “I’d say so.” He kisses my forehead. “You feel hot.”
“I know I’m hot.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“You look fucking fantastic in that dress but—” He presses the back of his hand to my forehead. “You feel warm. Do you feel okay?”
“Kind of,” I sigh. “I have a headache and my throat is a little raspy. I don’t have time for a cold.”
“With how much you’ve flown lately, I’m not surprised you caught something.” He wraps his arms back around me, trying to shelter me from the very gentle breeze. He looks out at the street, and after only a few seconds pass and we don’t get a cab, h
e gets out his phone for an Uber. “We don’t have to go to Silver Ridge this weekend. We can stay here if you’re not feeling well.”
“It’s just a cold,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “And I need to tell Mason thanks for pushing you to me. Maybe I should show him my boobs.”
“Those tits are mine,” Sam growls, giving my hand a tug so I tumble against him. My hands land on his chest, eyes locking with his. Desire swirls inside me and Sam looks down with hunger. “Let’s go home. If you’re not feeling well, you need a doctor to check you out.”
A smirk takes over my face. “Oh, I most definitely do.”
“Do you want me to meet you for lunch tomorrow?” I snuggle deep down under the covers, still chilled even though Sam and I took a hot shower together.
“I’d love that,” he tells me, turning out the light and lying next to me. “Though I don’t have a specific lunch hour. It makes it hard for you to meet me unless you’re nearby. And I mean like in the hospital cafeteria.”
“That’s rough for you, isn’t it?”
He slips his arms around me and hooks one leg over mine. “I knew what I signed up for when I took a job at a trauma center.”
“Do you want to stay there long-term?”
“I don’t know,” he tells me. “I like it, and though I see a lot of tragedy, it’s rewarding, but the hours are grueling. I knew I’d never have a simple nine-to-five job working my line of medicine, but something a little less demanding and stressful would be ideal whenever I get around to—” He cuts off suddenly and tenses. I’m pretty sure he was going to allude to getting married and having a family. Does he not want that with me? No way. That doesn’t make sense. We’re not old, but it’s not like we’re in our early twenties either. I don’t expect him to propose tomorrow and knock me up the second the ring is on my finger, but I wouldn’t think the idea would make him pause.
That’s the reason we’re together, right?
This isn’t a fling. We’re serious about each other, and I think it’s obvious by him telling me he loves me and us flying halfway across the country to see each other. We think we have end-game potential…or at least I do.
“Around to what?” I ask, throat feeling raw again. I set a glass of water on the nightstand on my side of the bed, but I’m snuggled up next to Sam and don’t want to move.
“A family,” he says, voice tight. “I’d like to be as involved in my children’s lives as possible.”
I smile and close my eyes. “You’ll be a good dad.”
He tenses again. “I hope so.”
“You’ll be a hot dad too. All the other moms will want a piece of you.”
His lips brush against the back of my neck when he talks. “I’ll have you on my arm to make them all jealous.”
“So I’m the arm candy now?”
“I have always wanted a trophy wife.”
I laugh and then cough, hurting my throat even more. “Ugh,” I groan and break away from Sam to get a drink.
“Go to sleep,” he tells me gently when I lay back down. “You need to rest. Doctor’s orders.”
“Then I better listen.” I give him a quick kiss and lie down, falling asleep fast but waking frequently throughout the night with a super sore throat and a stuffy nose. I’m awake when Sam’s alarm goes off in the morning, and he brings me a glass of cold water before he leaves for work.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “I’ll go back to sleep, and once I’m up and moving around, I’ll be fine.”
“You are the most congested when you first wake up. Take it easy today.”
“I will. I’m going to write, pack a bag for the weekend, and probably nap.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be a rough day.”
“Hah, right? How long does it take for you to drive to Silver Ridge from here?” I ask.
“About two hours.”
I wrinkle my nose. “It’s not that bad, but it’s not a quick drive uptown either. I’ll drive us so you can rest in the car.”
“Maybe. I should probably call my mom and tell her we’re coming.”
“You didn’t tell her yet?” I laugh. “I thought you texted her yesterday.”
“I meant to but forgot,” he admits with a shrug. “Well, not really. I put it off and then got distracted with fucking you on the counter.”
“We could always surprise her. That’s what I was going to do with my dad and sneak over after sunset and bang the windows and rattle the doors or something.”
“You want to scare him?”
I nod enthusiastically. “Yeah.”
“He’s getting older…make sure I’m there with you in case someone needs CPR.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Not funny.”
“Sneaking up an on a poor old man is mean, Chloe,” he teases. “And doesn’t your dad own guns?”
“Yeah, but Wendy doesn’t like them, so they’re locked in a safe in the basement. They don’t really do too much good in regards to a break-in. Though Balloon will give me away.”
“The dog?”
“Yeah. That little thing barks at everything.”
“Maybe you should just call him.”
“You’re no fun,” I huff, all dramatic on purpose. “And I’ll call him later.”
“Sounds good, and I’m sure my mom will try to get him and Wendy over for dinner too, just like old times.”
“I’d like that.”
Sam kneels on the bed. “I gotta go to work now.”
“Do you have to go?” I push up so I can give him a kiss. “Can’t you stay here and tend to your very sick, very needy—in a sexual way—patient?”
“Fuck, I wish,” he groans and falls onto the bed with me. We kiss once more, and he forces himself up. Needing to pee, I get up with him, and walk him to the door, getting another kiss before he leaves. I pour myself a cup of coffee and take it to the couch, curling up with a blanket.
Logically, I know that since I’m up, I should drink my coffee, write a chapter or two, and then tackle the rest of my work so I can be done for the day and won’t have to worry about it over the weekend. I should leave my computer here when we go to Silver Ridge tonight, and fully take the weekend off. The downfall from working from home and not having set hours is I never give myself breaks. I’m always working and have gotten so used to it I feel like I’m doing something wrong when I enjoy a few days without either writing, checking in with Karina, or managing something on social media.
I make it so far as drinking half my coffee and opening my laptop before I set my mug on the coffee table and lie down. My head is starting to hurt again and I’m cold. Once I warm up, I’ll get to work…only I doze off and wake up sweaty two hours later since I’m wrapped in a blanket. Sunlight is streaming through the large windows, creating a glare on my computer screen.
Getting up to get more coffee, I get my phone from the bedroom where it’s still plugged into the charger and call my dad.
“Hey, kiddo,” he answers. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I’m in Chicago visiting Sam.”
“How is he treating you?”
“Very well, and if you want to question his intentions you can tonight. We’re going to drive up to Silver Ridge for the weekend.”
“You have terrible timing, Chloe,” Dad laughs. “Wendy and I are upstate visiting her sister.”
“Again?” I shake my head, amused that I’m two for two on spontaneous trips to Silver Ridge when Dad isn’t there.
“She’s going through a divorce,” he says quietly. “And having a rough time with it.”
“Oh, damn. That has to be hard. How long are you going to be there?”
“Well, yesterday we had to convince her not to sell her house and buy a yacht, so it may be a while. You two are only going to be in town for the weekend?”
“Yeah, we’ll probably leave Sunday afternoon. Sam has to be back in Chicago for work on Monday. He leaves pretty early so I’m sure he’ll want to be here by like dinner time so we ca
n go to bed at a decent hour.”
“Next time you go to Chicago, let me know and Wendy and I will come down and have dinner with you two.”
“That would be nice! I’ll miss you when we get to Silver Ridge. I was hoping to stay at the house and watch the sunrise over the lake in the morning.”
“You can stay at the house. In separate bedrooms, that is.”
“Deal,” I laugh. “Is Balloon with you?”
“I don’t go anywhere without him.”
I smile again. “You and that dog. Who would have thought you’d be one of those people who takes their dog everywhere.”
“Not me,” Dad chuckles. “Wendy got him a stroller. I haven’t sunk to the level of actually using it yet, though we did bring it.” Right on cue, the dog barks in the background. “You have a key to the house, right?” Dad asks and then calls for Balloon to stop barking.
“Yeah. I think. I mean, I have one, but I’m not sure if I brought it.” The single key to the front door is usually in my wallet.
“If not, there’s a spare out back.”
“Under a fake rock?”
“Hah, what do you take me for, kid? It’s in a little magnetic box that’s stuck under the table on the deck.”
“Sneaky, I like it.”
Balloon keeps barking. “I’ll let you go,” Dad says over the yipping. “Carla has a cat and Balloon is not a fan.”
“Poor kitty. Bye, Dad, love you.”
“Love you too, kiddo.”
I end the call and get up, walking around the apartment to try and shake the sluggish feeling. Yawning, I make another cup of coffee and sit at the island counter. I have to go back and reread what I last wrote before I can start anything new, and I get excited for the upcoming demon fighting scene, though writing about Kellie running through the woods, using magic to tackle the demons sounds exhausting, even though my ass is parked on the metal barstool. It makes sense to me, but sometimes I have a hard time explaining that to other people.
Desperate Times (Silver Ridge Series Book 2) Page 7
