February—Greenwich, Connecticut
Karena was coming for dinner and to spend the weekend, Sam hoped. He hadn’t asked her to specifically. That was part of their taking-things-as-they-came agreement.
There were no set days that they met. He awakened in the morning, went to work and either called or e-mailed her. She did the same. Sometime during the course of the day, one of them would mention getting together and it would be. A few nights he’d stayed at her condo, but more nights she’d stayed with him, in his house, with his dog.
She loved Romeo almost as much as Sam did, and for a moment Sam had been jealous. But when she’d expressed how much she’d wanted a dog of her own while growing up, he’d understood completely. And Romeo, big spoiled baby that he was, accepted all of Karena’s affection while still demanding time from Sam.
So as he lit candles throughout the living room, Sam hummed an old Keith Sweat song, “Make It Last Forever,” knowing that no matter what, Karena was his forever.
She pulled up into his driveway, turned off the ignition and drummed her fingers on the steering wheel once more. The decision was final. It was impetuous and insane and totally out of character for her. Yet it felt absolutely right.
There was no denying how she felt when she was with Sam. Just as there was no ignoring the decrease in her headaches and increase in her appetite since they’d begun seeing each other. She felt healthier, more energized since she’d begun leaving business at the gallery except when absolutely necessary—and keeping Monica’s demands and opinions to a minimum.
She hadn’t discussed this decision with anyone. Hadn’t wanted any outside opinions or interference. This was her life, her moment, her happiness.
Stepping out of the car, she went to the trunk and popped it open. She was just reaching in to get her suitcase when she heard Romeo’s familiar bark. Turning quickly, she braced herself for his greeting.
He jumped up and she caught him, his full length towering over hers. Turning her face, she caught his lapping tongue with her cheek. “Hey, boy. Hey. You miss me?”
“We missed you,” Sam said, making a silent approach. “Down, Romeo,” he ordered the dog.
Romeo, albeit reluctantly, obeyed and rested at Karena’s side. She was petting his head when she looked up to see Sam, but something else caught her gaze.
On a leash Sam held tightly in his hands was a black Great Dane with natural ears. Its eyes were darker than Romeo’s, more subtle, just a tad more relaxed.
“I figured since I had a girl now, Romeo needed one, too,” Sam said, shrugging, releasing the leash a little and offering it to her.
“She’s beautiful. Isn’t she, Romeo?” Beside her, Romeo stood. Sam gave him a stern look and he remained still.
The girl beside him, however, had already begun to move, lolling her head, extending her neck as she reached for Romeo or Karena, or both of them.
“What’s her name?” Karena asked, taking a tentative step forward and falling to her knees to get a closer look. As she’d hoped, the girl ducked her head and fell right into Karena’s caress. Her heart soared. “Juliet.”
Karena’s head snapped up as she looked at Sam, who was smiling down at her.
“Yeah, she’s yours.”
“Mine?” Karena whispered. “All yours.”
Karena moved so quickly jumping into Sam’s arms that he released Juliet’s leash and the dog took off running. Romeo followed suit and Sam laughed, hugging Karena tightly and spinning her around.
“You said you always wanted a dog.”
She was nodding as he stopped spinning and put her down. Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. “I did. I really did want a dog.”
“And now you’ve got one,” he said, using the pad of his thumb to swipe at the tear falling from her eyes.
“I’ve got two,” she said, smiling. “Romeo and Juliet. Perfect.”
Sam lowered his head, kissing her lightly. When he pulled his lips away, she whispered, “Why don’t you help me take my bags inside and then we can finish this?”
“Your bags?” he asked quizzically.
“Yeah,” she said, smiling and nodding toward the trunk of her car that was still open. “My bags. There are too many for me to carry alone.”
He looked over her shoulder, saw the trunk full of suitcases. “Ah, baby, how long are you planning to stay?”
“How does forever sound?”
She was in his arms again, spinning in another circle of love. “It sounds damned good. Damned perfect.”