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The night of the double date arrived, along with Sam, Misty, and Zach, in the longest stretch limo I’d ever seen. It was a pearly white that glistened in the late afternoon sun, hundreds of tiny rainbows chasing across the surface—and I’ll stop now. Let’s just say it was an amazing way to travel to L.A., with my three best friends.
It got better. Sam stood at the bottom of the stairs when I appeared, my hair tamed into long, loopy curls, and my blue velvet dress hugging what curves I had. His mouth dropped open, and he stared as I walked down the stairs. It gave me time to take in the gorgeous white tux that set off his blonde hair. He was six plus feet of mouth-watering beautiful.
By the time I reached him, I was somewhat composed, and he’d picked his jaw up off the floor. He held out his hand.
“You look—I’m speechless, Alex.”
I smiled. Now I understood why girls did this; the power could be addicting. “I hope you find your words again. Otherwise this is going to be a long night.”
That broke the spell. He cupped my chin and kissed me. A quick kiss, since my parents were standing next to the front door.
Dad stepped forward and held out his hand. “You are beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He gave me a loud, smacking kiss. I laughed, then turned to Mom. She was glowing.
“Have a wonderful time.” She pressed her cheek to mine, and whispered. “Your father and I left a gift for you. It’s in the limo. I love you so much.” She was teary when she pulled back. “My little girl, all grown up.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I would have been embarrassed, but I knew this was a huge moment for her. With a tomboy for a daughter, I’m sure she never expected to have the “daughter headed out for a fancy date” moment. I let her take full advantage. “We’re going to go.”
Sam took my hand and led me out to the porch. I waved at my parents, knowing they’d stand in the doorway and watch until the limo was out of sight.
Misty and Zach stood on the sidewalk—and they looked incredible.
Misty was wearing her white gown, her blonde hair an elegant braided crown. And Zach—he was a vision in his black tux, his smile brilliant as he aimed it at me.
Sam leaned down, whispered in my ear. “Ready to go?”
His warm breath sent a shiver through me. I looked up at him, and nodded, afraid my voice would give away how nervous I was.
Misty snapped me out of it. She let out a high-pitched shriek and rushed me.
“Alex!” She hugged me, careful not to mess up anything. How did she do that? Just touching my hair set it off. Another girly girl gene I did not inherit. “You have to open it. Come on!”
She grabbed my hand and hauled me down the sidewalk. Thank heaven for my ballet flats and my newly healed ankle. I would have ended up face first on the sidewalk from her enthusiasm.
The back door of the limo was already open, and she pointed at a creamy, oversized envelope on the seat. “Open it, Alex. I’m dying here.”
With a smile, I took my time, until Misty started bouncing. I ended the torture and pulled out the folded paper.
My eyes widened as I read it. A reservation at the most expensive hotel in L.A.—two rooms, one for the girls, and one for the boys. I turned around and looked at my parents. Dad nodded, and Mom smiled.
I understood why when I saw the note at the bottom of the reservation.
There is a chaperone included, Alex. He will be driving the limo. Enjoy yourself, and don’t let him regret volunteering for the job. We love you,
Mom and Dad
I looked over at the driver’s side—and Simon appeared, wearing a black suit, a cap, and an amused smile.
“Your carriage awaits, my beautiful maidens.”
Misty giggled, waiting for him to walk around. He helped her into the back of the limo, holding her hand until she was settled. Then he turned to me.
“Thank you, Simon.”
“It’s my pleasure, Alex. I also have a possible assignment, so I can keep myself occupied until time to drive you all to the hotel.” He bent over my hand, like a knight, brushing a soft kiss over my knuckles. “You deserve every second.”
I wanted to know what happened in London, but it could wait. Tonight was for us, to reconnect, to enjoy.
I couldn’t wait.
~ ~ ~
The night was—magical.
Yeah, it sounds cheesy, but that’s exactly what it was. Pure magic.
Once we settled in our hotel rooms, I changed—much to Misty’s disappointment.
“You looked so good, Alex. Don’t you want to show yourself off a little longer?”
“I want to be comfortable.” I pulled on my favorite stretched out blue thermal shirt and an old pair of sweats. Misty let out a sigh. “It’s okay—Sam loves me for me, not my fancy clothes.”
“Thank heaven for that.”
I smiled, and slid into a scuffed pair of ballet flats. “I had an amazing time tonight. Thank you for setting it up.”
She stared at me, obviously surprised. I surprised her more by walking over and hugging her. She held on to me, sniffling by the time she let go.
“You deserved it. We all did, after what we went through.”
“Got that right. Zach must be waiting for you.” A grin spread across her face. “I’ll see you later.”
I met Sam on the top floor, in a closed lounge, with L.A. spread at our feet.
He wrapped me in his arms, kissing the top of my head.
“Did you have a good time tonight?”
“Better than good.”
We stayed that way for a while, watching the traffic snake along the freeway, the lights blink on and off in different parts of the city. Less than a year ago I would never, even in my wildest dreams, imagine myself like this with Sam Emmett. Now I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
He finally broke the comfortable silence, his voice quiet. “Thank you, for believing in me.”
I lifted my head, met his grey-blue eyes. “I’ve always believed in you, Sam.”
He cupped my chin and kissed me. It was so tender, I felt tears sting my eyes.
“I love you, Alex. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Sam.” I framed his face, my fingers brushing the scars on his right cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He laughed, warm and deep. It sounded so good—he hadn’t laughed for quite a while. I was going to make sure he did it more often.
“You are a constant surprise. I’ve always liked that about you.” He leaned in, brushed his lips over mine. “I’ve always liked you, my sea nymph.”
I let out a shaky breath. He had told me, last October. All those years of me pretending not to stare at him, and he knew. He saw. It was still a surprise that he chose me.
He pulled me in, rested his chin on the top of my head. Even though I was a good bit shorter, we fit. I liked that we did.
This would be the perfect time to tell him I knew who bit him, and Jake. To finally give him closure.
I took the coward’s way, not wanting that to stain our perfect night. I’d tell him.
Someday.
A yawn snuck up on me. Sam rubbed my back, and kissed my forehead.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
“I don’t want to.” My body was telling me otherwise. It had been a long day—an amazing day, but a long one, and I was still coming off recovery mode.
“I know.” He led me to the door as he said it, and chuckled when I yawned again. “We’ll see each other at breakfast. There’s a nice, soft bed waiting for you.”
I leaned against him in the elevator, dragging my feet all the way back to my hotel room. I didn’t want tonight to end. I wanted Sam all to myself, for just a little longer. Like a week or so. When we went back, the haven would demand all his attention.
Not that I minded sharing him—I didn’t. But sometimes, I just wanted him to myself.
“Selfish,” I mumbled.
“Alex.” He stopped, and I recognized the hotel room number. Mine. “You are the least selfish person I know.”
“Want you all to myself.”
He kissed me. “We’ll see that you get regular face time with me.”
I sighed, stood on tiptoe to kiss him again. His hands spread over my ribs as he drew me in, leaving me breathless and even more lightheaded than I already was.
He reached around me to gently knock on the door. Misty answered, her hair down and wavy from the braid.
“Hey.” Her eyes narrowed when she looked at me. “You. Bed. Now.”
Sam laughed, and kissed her cheek. “Take care of each other, Misty. Zach and I will see you both in the morning.”
“Not too early, or I may have to kill you.” She wrapped an arm around my waist and guided me to the closest bed. I slipped out of my ballet flats and crawled under the covers, already half asleep. “Good night, Alex.” I felt the blanket settle over my shoulder. “Thank you for sharing the best night ever.”
It was. It may have been the exhaustion, but I was thinking I might want to do it again.