Page 62 of Havoc
Her eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t think I’d ever see your smile again. It was like you were there, but it wasn’t really you.”
“And… do I seem like the old me to you?” I was curious to see if she thought I was as changed as I felt.
“Yes… and no.” Her gaze slid over to where Nico was still watching us. “Like I said, you’re different. Not better, or worse. I’m just glad that you’re happy again. Whatever you needed to do in order to feel that, I’m fine with it.”
I let out the breath I hadn’t been aware I was holding. Having Sam give me that reassurance sent peace spiraling through me. There weren’t many left on this Earth that I needed validation from, but she was one.
“I don’t know if I can say that I’m happy-” I started, but she cut me off.
“Once you allow yourself, you will be,” she insisted. “Otherwise, you would’ve never taken Nico’s deal.”
My glare was sharp.
She just laughed when she saw it. “Oh please. Don’t give me that look. You know as well as I do, that if on some level you didn’t want to stay with him, you would’ve fought to the death to escape.”
She fell silent as the waitress dropped plates off in front of us. “Need anything else ladies?”
We shook our head and stared at her retreating form. We hadn’t even ordered yet.
“How-”
“Nico,” I told her grimly. Sadly, the burger he ordered for me was making my mouth water as it sat temptingly in front of me. I should send it back and order something else, just to let him know I didn’t appreciate his high handedness. My growling stomach won that battle though and I picked up a fry and dunked it into the ketchup on my plate.
Sam had a wistful look on her face. “I kind of wish I had a guy like that.”
I snorted. “You can have that one.”
She chuckled. “Naw, he’s yours. There’s something kind of hot about a growly man who’s all possessive and controlling.”
I put down the burger I’d picked up, and been about to take a bite of and stared at her like she was insane. “You say that now. Try living with him for two days. Two...days…” I snarled playfully at her when she opened her mouth to speak. “The first time he told you what to do you’d take his head off.”
“You haven’t,” she replied and fluttered her lashes at me.
She had me there. “Not because I don’t want to,” I muttered and picked the burger back up.
“Sure,” she said with a knowing grin. “Just admit it, you find it hot too.”
The mouthful of burger I took made my cheeks puff out like a chipmunk’s, but it kept me from having to answer her.
* * *
Samand I gave heavy sighs as we embraced. Luca was about to take her back to the airport. The last week that she’d spent here had lifted my spirits. It was hard to say goodbye.
“I’ll come visit again,” she promised. “Then you need to come home for a while, too.”
“I will,” I agreed. It didn’t matter what Nico thought. I’d figure out a way to live up to that. I missed Texas.
She walked over and embraced Paolo. The three of us spent every waking moment together over the last week and I think she was as fond of him now as I was.
Sam gave a little wave as she walked over and stood next to the SUV. Luca opened the door for her. “Thanks, handsome,” she turned her head and gave me a smolder then flashed her eyes at Nico’s goon. Sam climbed in the vehicle.
I didn’t bother to smother the chuckle. Luca’s eyes danced between us and his lips flattened when he realized what we were up to. He slammed the door before rounding the car.
The dogs came up and nuzzled at my hands, one standing on either side of me. We watched as they left the drive. Even though I was sad Sam was gone that lighthearted feeling she brought with her remained. I realized now that this wasn’t the first step I’d taken on my way toward healing, but it was an important one.
Chapter 33
Havoc