Page 12 of King
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Sammy smiled.“They’ve let me in before.They know my dad and brother served in the military, so they’re not always so strict with the rules like some other halls are.”
A moment passed between them as a potential kiss might have happened had Mia not been there.Aware of the stretch of silence, she got out of the car and headed to the front entrance.
Precious’ barks grew louder as she approached, so when she opened the door she scooped her up quickly.The last thing she wanted was for her to run off again.She headed for the outside kennel.She’d never liked the idea of chaining dogs up and had paid a premium price to have a kennel installed before she’d moved back to the house.It had a roof and a little doghouse at one end.This allowed Precious to remain outside for a little while if she wanted to.
Mia gave Ben a wave as he started his truck and met Sammy halfway back to the front door.“So, you and Ben, huh?”
Sammy rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her face when she said, “I knew you couldn’t wait to say something.We’re just friends.”
“Sure.”Mia thought about it for a minute before saying, “I’m sure you’ve convinced yourself of that, but you’re just fooling yourself, Cuz.Ben is a nice man, and it’s obvious that you both are into each other.”
“I do like him,” she admitted softly.
“Then what’s the problem?”
Sammy shrugged as we continued walking.“It’s just...”She hesitated, and they exchanged a look.“Adam and I had something special; ya know?I don’t want to rush into anything.”
“I can understand that.But it doesn’t mean you can’t have something special with Ben, too.You’ve been alone long enough.Adam would want you to move on.Be happy.”
“I know.”
“It’s clear that Ben wants something more with you.The problem is, you’re both too afraid to make that first move.”
Sammy laughed.“I know that, too.Thanks for doing it for us.”
“You’re not mad?”
Sammy shook her head.
“And let me add, don’t compare Ben to Adam.They’re different men.”
“Like King and Jerry?”she smirked.
Mia had no intentions of comparing those two men.It wouldn’t be fair.She decided it was time to change the subject as they entered the house.“How much time do I have before we head to the hall?”
Sammy pondered it for a moment.“Let’s leave at six.That gives us an hour.”
Mia was thankful that Sammy was willing to let the subject of men go.“Sounds like a plan,” she said as she climbed the stairs to her room, grateful that she had her own bathroom.