Page 129 of Burning Caine
I breathed deeply.Stop, Sam, just stop.
I pulled out my phone and called Cass, covering my face with a hand, trying to find some privacy in the crowd.
“Hey, sweetie, what’s up?” She was having a good day with lots of energy, which made me smile for a second.
“Cass, I’m sorry, but I have to cancel girls’ night tonight.”
“Seriously? I was looking forward to it!”
“Well, I’m sort of in New York.”
“You’re what?”
“I flew out early this—”
“Shit! You’re not—”
“I’m not on the run, Cass, calm down.” I rubbed my cheek, staring at the small pink bricks at my feet, scuffing my shoe against one that stuck up. “I needed some alone time.”
“Bullshit.” She huffed. “He’s an asshole, Sam. Don’t let him do this to you.”
My throat closed over for the millionth time, and I clenched my jaw to stave off the threatening tears. I should have thrown myself into work instead of coming here.Putting him out of my mind while I wrapped up the Scott case was easy compared to this.
“It hasn’t even been a week, Sam. It’ll get easier.”
I rested my chin on my hand, focused on the daylily in front of me. “I don’t know how long I’ll stay. I cleared some time with work, though. My boss said I earned it with that painting claim.”
“Sam—”
“I’ll be home for your next chemo, I promise.” I sniffled, but she remained silent. “I gotta go, Cass. Love you.”
I hung up and leaned forward, staring at my phone. I had Janelle back, Lucy and I were becoming friends, and the odds were in Cass’s favor. Roger was in custody, the Scott case was in the FBI’s hands, and Elliot told me they still wanted me. I had every reason to feel positive about my future.
But I felt empty.You are my dream, Samantha.I pulled up the Ferraro’s website, selected Antonio’s bio, and stared at his smiling face.
I should have taken pictures of us together, so I had something more personal than a website. No, I shouldn’t have, that would make it worse. My finger hovered over his photo, my brain telling me to close it, but my heart aching to remember the moments we’d shared. I hitContact Usand the phone rang. It was Saturday; no one would be there, but maybe his voice would be on the recording.
Before it went to message, Sofia answered, and my heart dropped.I put the phone tentatively to my ear.
“Hi, Sofia. It’s, um, Sam Caine calling. I thought you’d be closed.”
“Samantha! What—what can I do for you?”
I had no idea what she could do for me. No idea why I’d called, other than to punish myself.I wanted to build a future with you.
“Samantha, you two belong together.”
My throat was too tight to say anything.
“Call him. He’s heartbroken, and you must be, too, or you wouldn’t be calling me.” Her pace increased and her words ran together. “He told me everything. I’m so sorry! Papa and I told him to keep the secret.”
“Sofia, I—”
“You’re perfect for each other! Call him! I have his number right here. I’ll give it to you. Please! Don’t punish him for our mistake!”
“Sofia,” I snapped. “He’s a grown man. He makes his own decisions.”
“He loves you!”