Page 30 of Perfect Together
With a grumble, Sam lowered himself back into the booth, unwilling tosayMacy had a damn good point. He might not be happy about the situation or Nicole’s past, but no way would he step aside. Which meant he’d have to get over himself and his history—at least enough to admit he still wanted Nicole. Which meant they’d have to have an open, honest conversation and make it clear they weren’t talking about a serious relationship between them. Just some feel-good sex while it lasted. He thought they were in agreement, but he’d feel better knowing for sure.
All well and good, Sam thought, knowing that whathewanted didn’t take into consideration her ex-fiancé.
Which left him the odd man out while they spoke this morning. Waiting. Wondering.
Hoping for the best.
Chapter Six
Drawing a deepbreath, Nicole walked into the restaurant a few minutes ahead of schedule. She planned to get settled in a booth in the back before Tyler arrived. To help, she’d pulled all the armor around her that she could think of, including dressing like the woman she was in Serendipity. Make that the woman she was—period. From her low-rise white jeans to Converse sneakers and a loose, flowing tank top, she was far from the couture-wearing fiancée she’d once been.
She arrived at the restaurant, shocked to find Macy, Cara, and Sam together in one booth. Uncomfortable but not willing to duck and run, she forced herself to meet Sam’s gaze. He acknowledged her with his searing stare, giving her no indication of what he was thinking or feeling.
Insides quivering, she knew she had no choice but to pass them on her way to the booth she’d reserved in the back. “Hi,” she said, pausing at the head of their table.
“Hey,” Cara said.
“Hi, hon.” Macy raised a hand in a wave.
Sam’s gaze merely latched and held on to hers.
“I should go wait in my booth,” she murmured when she couldn’t take the awkward silence any longer.
She turned and made her way to the back of the restaurant, knowing Sam’s silence had clearly made his point. He was still angry and upset.
She reached the private booth in the back just as he called her name.
She spun at the sound of Sam’s deep voice, finding him so close his body bracketed hers against the wall, confusing her since his actions were at odds with the emotional distance he’d put between them. “Sam—”
“I’m sorry.”
She lowered her jaw. “You’re—”
“Sorry I was a jerk. You were honest with me about your past, and I reacted based on my own.”
She narrowed her gaze, as relieved as she was baffled. “Your past?” What didn’t she know?
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his golden hair. “Look, we need to talk. How about after the game tonight?”
Before she could reply, a shadow loomed over them. “Nicole.” Tyler’s voice held more than a hint of disapproval, no doubt over finding her in a near-clinch with Sam.
She waited for Sam to step back so she could make the awkward introductions, but Sam was in no rush and remained in place, his hard body bracketing hers.
“Nicole!” Tyler repeated, obviously upset.
She eyed Sam imploringly.
“I’m just waiting for an answer,” he reminded her. “Tonight after the game?” He touched her cheek with one hand, obviously staking a claim.
Oh God. Her entire body trembled. “Yeah,” she said softly. “Okay.”
He grinned, obviously pleased he’d won this round, and eased away from her oh, so slowly. By the time he’d removed himself from her personal space, she was surprised smoke and flames weren’t shooting between them.
Tyler cleared his throat. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” he asked.
She shook her head, hoping to clear her mind. “Tyler Stanton, this is Detective Sam Marsden. Sam, Tyler.” She gestured back and forth between the two men, refusing to give either one of them a designation like friend, boyfriend, or ex-anything.
They eyed one another warily, each assessing the competition. Which was ridiculous, since Sam had none and Tyler had driven all this way for no reason. But she didn’t want to hurt him, and Sam’s deliberate claim-staking hadn’t helped toward that goal.