by Dyanne Davis
Had Sam always been this powerful, confident man that was standing calmly before her, telling the partners he was having a door installed to deny them access, and boldly lying that the clause was in his contract? It wasn't. She knew that for a fact, she'd not written it in. She caught the slight quiver as Sam’s lips curled into a smile. He was counting on the fact that the bosses wouldn't remember, nor would they pull out a copy of the contract to verify. By the time anyone thought to do it the door would be up and Sam would have his privacy. They wouldn't force him to take it down. Rebe laughed. Score one for Sam
By the end of the day everyone in the office had gone to check-out the newly installed door. She could hear soft music coming from behind the door and put her hand on the knob just to test if Sam had left it open. She should have known. It was locked. When she took a second look she saw it had a keypad entry and then something that required more, possibly a hand print. Rolling her eyes Rebe crossed her fingers that her eccentric artist friend didn’t lose the job for over spending. Putting up an inexpensive door was one thing, but high tech? What in the world was Sam thinking? She turned away at the same moment the door opened and Sam stepped out complete with even more paint splatters.
“Did you want to take a peek?” he asked.
Of course she did. Rebe was as curious as everyone else, but she wondered what Chase would say, or her bosses if Sam allowed her to see the progress and not them.
“Forget it,” Sam said. “I forgot you’re too into what others think of you.”
With that Sam closed the door. Or rather he slammed it and returned to whatever it was he was doing. She heard male laughter and turned.
“Did you really think Sam cared any more for you than he does the rest of us?” Chase asked. “He’s not going to let you see it. You’re lucky this moment you’re not a partner. I know he’s going to do something awful to my portrait. I want to see the contract you drew up for him.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of your business, and he’s my client.”
“I’m a partner.”
“A junior partner. Besides, I don’t answer to you.”
“I’m telling you now, if your client makes a mockery of me, I’m going to sue his ass for every dime he’ll ever make.”
“It won’t stand up in court.” Rebe smiled at Chase. “Sam has a very good lawyer and an even better contract.”
“But he still wouldn’t let you look at his progress, so you can’t be that good a lawyer.”
Rebe turned ready to tell him that Sam had offered to allow her a look, but she’d taken a moment too long to say yes, because she’d worried about it hurting his feelings. After all Chase was her boyfriend and she should think about his feelings, right? But she didn’t say any of that to Chase? No. She lied.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll see Sam’s work when the rest of the office does. It’s better that way.”
“Who gave him permission to install that kind of lock? And why in the world did he think he needed such high tech security? I mean it’s just a painting.”
“He takes his work seriously, and he doesn’t want it seen until its ready. I can understand and respect that.”
“You’re just kissing up.”
“Maybe if you’d kiss up you wouldn’t have to worry so much about how he’s going to make you look.”
“I still want to see Sam's contract. I'm a partner and I have a right to know, plus I was the one who got him the damn job.”
“You're a junior partner, Chase and you do not have a right to see it. If you think so go talk to Mr. Newton, and ask to see his copy.”
Rebe walked away making sure to walk extra hard so the click of her heels sounding on the marble floor could be heard. Chase was being a jerk and he was annoying her.
“Rebe,” Chase called, are we still on for dinner tonight?”
“I don't think so”. She didn't turn around but she heard the slight click from Sam's door and smiled. So, he was listening.
Several hours later when Rebe was home relaxing with a glad of lemon seltzer. She wasn't a bit surprised when her bell rang. Wouldn’t her hero come to apologize? Wouldn't he know exactly what she needed, and bring dinner to her?
Smiling, Rebe opened the door and stood back so Sam could enter carrying his bags of food with the delicious smells wafting toward her.
“You don't look too surprised to see me,” Sam grinned
“Why should I be? Now that I've had some time to think about it, I've realized a few things about you. You've been looking out for me for years, haven't you? Even when you didn't like me you've been there.”
“Let's get something straight,” Sam said making his way to the kitchen and putting the food on the table. “There have been many times I've wanted to strangle you. To pound some sense into you, times that I have absolutely not been able to stand you. But there has never been a moment I didn't care about you, or your well-being. Do you think I would have given a fig about finally going to your event if I didn't care?”
“Finally?”
“Sorry, that slipped.”
“I was mean about that, wasn't I?”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Okay, I know we're decided to try not being enemies, but if you're going to look at me like I'm a stray puppy in need of your sympathy, then we can go back to being enemies. I get it. You needed a hunk and when the hunk cheated once again and Kandi refused to go you took me. Or rather I took you. It's over and done with.” His jaw clenched and he walked down the hall to her bathroom. "Let me wash some of this paint off, then we can eat.”
“Sam, tell me something, you're a professional. Why do you get so much paint on yourself when you work?”
He laughed. “Because it's expected. People want to believe they're getting their money's worth. And if they see an artist, or even when I'm painting someone's home, if they see a splotch of paint, then they're relieved they didn't have to do the job. And they're thankful that I’m the one doing it. So of course they’re more than happy to pay me.”
Rebe had never thought of that. “Do you really paint houses?’ she asked.
“Not so much anymore, but I have. Sometimes I need a larger canvas to work on and a house suits my needs.” He glanced around her apartment. “You could do with a fresh coat of paint. I was serious when I asked if you’d like for me to paint your apartment for you.”
“When will you find the time?”
“When I’m done with the mural.”
Rebe didn’t answer. She just stared at Sam as she remembered his last visit. She could barely concentrate on what he was saying because she wanted Sam to kiss her again.
“Rebe, did you really think I was so inept that I couldn't paint without spilling paint? You definitely don't know very much about me do you?”
“Well….maybe a bit more than you think.”
“You think I'm a clumsy oaf. Don’t deny it. Kandi told me.”
“Kandi talks too much. She's supposed to be my best friend.”
“And she is, but she still told me. I will admit the first time I met you, I tripped over a footstool because I was staring at you.”
“It was more than once.”
“Okay maybe twice, but that doesn't mean I trip every day. Think about it, Rebe. When was the last time you witnessed me tripping? You've judged me on so many levels. You met me while you were wearing six inch stilettos and looked down your nose at me and called me short. I was taking steroid for an infection, and had gained a few pounds, and you called me fat. But you never noticed that after the treatment had ceased the weight went away, or that after you'd kicked off your shoes you didn't tower over me. You saw me for the first time and your image stuck.
“Listen, I have to know, do you really and truly believe in the fantasy kind of romance that a guy finds the perfect girl or vice versus, no flaws, just wham and cupid shoots an arrow straight to the heart? Sometimes the things you say I do lose patience with you. I project the image my
clients want to see. I'm their fantasy artist, a bit chaotic, messy long hair, paint splotches, glasses, a bit forgetful and socially awkward. There are so many things you do not know about me. I dare you to find five things. Your search will take time and you're not to ask Kandi if you accept my challenge”
“Doesn’t a challenge work two ways? What will I have to give up if I lose? And what will I get if I win?”
Sam smiled. You'll get me, he wanted to say, but instead said. “I'll take you to one of the fancy places you like to eat and I'll even wear a suit with not a bit of paint on it. I might even think of getting my hair trimmed and taking off the glasses.”
“You don't really need the glasses?”
“No and that one's for free.” He handed the glasses over to her.
“All these years, I never knew.”
“Jamie and Kandi knew.”
“Was I always such a bad friend?”
“You have been a lot of things to me. If you’d always been a bad friend, I don’t think I’d care so much about you.”
“You care about me, Sam?’
“I plead the fifth. Now back to what we were discussing. I forgot to add, you're not to do an internet search on me. You will have to become a bit more creative.”
“Sam, why do you want me to do this? It's not as though we're going to be dating”.
“Because we're friends, Rebe, and friends should be a bit more interested in the lives of their friends than you are. Say for instant, if I was on a ventilator, do you know if I'd want you to pull the plug, or allow me to continue living until a cure for whatever I had was found?”
“That's crazy?”
“Really? I know what you'd want. You'd want to be never be put on life support. You have faith that God is in charge of your life and if it's your time, it's your time. Besides, you'd never want anyone to visit you with a tube down your throat, not your parents, not Kandi and not me.”
“Wow your opinion of me is really low.”
“But am I right?”
Rebe didn't want to answer but Sam laughed and hit her playfully, loosening her tongue. “The thing of it, Sam, I’d never object to your seeing me in any condition, with tubes, down my throat, weak and crying, your having to hold me up in the shower and bathe me, your feeding me, refusing to leave my side. Your…lov…” Rebe stopped smiled at San and continued. “I meant your caring about me. You’re right that I wouldn’t want anyone else to see me in that condition, but you, I’d never refuse you, Sam” He reached out his hand to her and gave her fingers a little squeeze.
With tears in her eyes, Rebe asked, “Seriously, am I really that vain?”
“More than you were two years ago. I personally think dating Chase has had a very bad side effect for you. You're becoming more like him. The two of you are just beautiful clones.”
“Wow.”
“Come on, Rebe. Lighten up, don't get upset. You can easily prove me wrong by taking the challenge. Prove to me that you really want to be friends.” He arched a brow. “Think of it like this, what would one of your fictional heroines do?”
“You’ll have to give me a moment to think about it,” Rebe laughed, tilting her head and eyeing him. Sam was baiting her, but she'd decided to take the bait. In fact it would be fun to find out more about Sam. And she did like a challenge. And it had nothing to do with the fact that after he'd kissed her on in front of Chase, she'd begun to see him in a different light. He wasn't quite as short. And he wasn't quite as un-wow as she'd always thought. In fact Sam was kinda wow.
More than likely Sam has always been kinda wow. She’d just failed to notice it. But she'd seen the way the women at the firm had fawned over Sam, and she'd begun to notice the things they'd said, the things Kandi had been telling her for years. Sam had the most beautiful eyes and when he smiled they lit up. And the way he held her…mercy.
“So, tell me, Sam, how I am going to find out things if I don't use the internet?”
Sam laughed. My God, this is beyond stupid. We’ve known each other for almost five years. I know everything about you, Rebe. Try getting to know me, talking to me, asking me.”
He stopped for a moment to take her hands and peered deep into her eyes, wanting so much to touch her, to run his hands over her body, to make love to her in the worst way. He had a feeling in this moment she might agree. But he wasn’t going for a moment. He’d made a decision. Rebe deserved a real life hero. That part didn’t belong to Chase, not even if he tried would he be able to be what Rebe truly deserved in her life.
“Sam, come on, you’re tying my hand.”
“Rebe, we weren't born with internet. You're smart, you'll think of something. Besides, this conversation is becoming more ridiculous by the second.”
“Did you just call me ridiculous?”
“No, I said our conversation is ridiculous. You’ve been shutting me out for so long I’m afraid this thing with you may not be an act. You’re a lawyer…a very good one. You’re used to finding the tiniest detail. And you’re a writer, you’re also very analytical. Put the skills you have to work. Become a friend─my friend. Deal?”
Rebe’s concentration had been on Sam’s lips, his eyes. She barely heard his words. But when he stuck out his hand, she took it. And when he laughed so did she. She’d just fallen down the rabbit hole and was about to chase after the frog.
Chapter Nine
After listening to Rebe rant about her deal with Sam for over an hour, Kandi laughed. Rebe couldn’t see what was happening, or at least she wasn't admitting to it. But the idea that Rebe was devoting so much time to learning about Sam was hysterical. She'd known the man for almost five years. Heck, she'd slept with him for two solid weeks, not in the biblical sense. Didn't that tell her all she needed to know?
And Sam, her poor friend who'd gone from loving Rebe to loathing her, was now back to loving her. She wondered what game he was playing. Rebe had belter look out. Sam didn't do anything halfheartedly or without purpose. And he only invested huge amounts of time in the people and things he cared about. But would either of them admit their feelings for the other was changing? Nooo… Kandi knew both of them very well, and she saw it in their eyes and the way their glances followed the other.
“Kandi, you're not looking at me,” Rebe complained. What are you thinking about?”
“You and Sam. I’m wondering why you don't ask him about himself.”
“He wouldn't tell me.”
“Probably because you put little thought in the way you were asking him. He’s not a client that you’re getting facts from. He’s your friend. And under the right circumstances, I’m betting he’ll tell you whatever you want to know. How do you think couples find out about each other? They ask.”
“We're not a couple.”
“No, you're not. But you can take this challenge on as such. What would you do if Sam were a man you could be interested in? A date, Rebe, try asking him for a date.”
“I have a boyfriend you know. Chase.”
“Right.”
“Well, it’s too bad that you and Sam don’t like Chase. We're back together and that’s that.”
“So what if you’re back together? Chase thinks nothing of dating other people. He's so much as told you that the two of you are not exclusive.”
Kandi had a point Rebe thought. Besides, having dinner with Sam wouldn't be exactly like dating, and Chase wouldn't get jealous of him, though he had begun acting differently since Sam had started work on the mural.
“You know you might have something there. I think I'll make dinner for Sam and get him to loosen his tongue.”
“And just how are you planning to achieve your goal? What trap are you planning to use?”
Like a kid, Rebe rubbed the palms of her hand together in glee. “Why, I’m only going to use just a little wine or as much as it takes. It all depends on Sam.”
“Sam doesn’t really like wine.”
Rebe stared at Kandi and laughed. “You're right he doesn’t. She
ran all the times through her mind that she'd seen Sam drink. Beer. Sam liked beer. She smiled. “Of course he doesn't like wine. Sam drinks beer. How could I have forgotten that?” She ignored the smirk on Kandi’s face. “I'll give him a couple of beers… or three or four, and then I'll pump him for information.”
Kandi shook her head.
“What’s wrong with my plan?” Rebe asked.
“I’m wondering why you always take the more complicated way toward your goal. For God sake, just remember who you’re trying to get information on. It’s Sam, Rebe. And he’s right. He knows everything about you as do I. You should be ashamed you’ve never taken more interest in him, even as a friend.”
Rebe felt a bit offended. It was one thing when Sam called her out on being a bad friend. But when Kandi her lifelong besties called her out, it hurt. “You don’t think I’ve been a good friend to you?’
“If I’m being honest, no you haven’t. Not since Jamie died.”
Immediate tears filled Rebe’s eyes. ”I’m sorry Kandi. I know I’ve been a bad friend and a bad daughter. I’m thinking about changing that. Sam said he’d go home with me to see my parents. I think I’ll take him up on that.” She neglected to invite Kandi to go on the trip with them. Instead she hugged her friend close and made a promise to do a better job at being a friend.
Dreaming about Sam had been one thing. Waking up with him still on her mind was another. She had to get to the place where they could continue their friendship without the sexual tension. And yes, she was admitting to that on both of their parts. After much thought Rebe agreed with Kandi’s assessment of her reckless behavior regarding Sam. She’d come up with a plan to become a better friend and admittedly she wanted to win the deal she’d made with him. How hard could it be to find out five things about Sam that she didn’t know?
Getting dressed for work she devised ways of finding out tidbits of information about Sam. Considering that her relationship with Chase wasn’t about being faithful, at least on his part, she’d decided it was okay to make dinner for a man who wasn’t her boyfriend. Applying her lipstick Rebe studied her face in the mirror. She was dressing for Sam not Chase. With that in mind she blotted off the fire engine red and applied lip gloss instead. Another glance and she popped out the hazel contacts.
