“Fuck that.” I frown at him like he’s nuts. “This is what we do.”
“Thanks for getting him to me so quickly.” Lori’s eyes have tears in them. “I can’t do this without you guys.”
“You’re gonna be fine, pretty face.” I kiss her cheek and follow the guys out of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
~Samantha~
“It could be days?” I ask incredulously and sit up in my bed, scoot back to lean on the headboard, and raise my knees up to my chest, my phone pressed to my ear.
“That’s what she said, but I hope she’s wrong.” Leo sighs. I love his voice.
“Poor woman, I hope she’s wrong too, for her sake.” He chuckles in my ear and I smile. “What are you doing now?”
“I just got to the house a little while ago. I’m unpacking.” His voice sounds flat and unhappy.
“Have your feet frozen off yet?” I ask with a grin. Levine jumps up on the bed, head-butts my hand and begins to purr as I stroke his back.
“No, smart ass, not yet.” He chuckles.
“Well, wear socks, or they will. What’s on tap for tomorrow?” I lean my head back and close my eyes, listening to him move about his bedroom, trying to picture what he looks like.
“I’ll probably be up at the hospital most of the day. Gary…” he stops suddenly and goes quiet.
“What’s wrong?” I ask and frown.
“I just found something tucked in my clothes.” I hear the smile in his voice.
“What is that?” I try to sound nonchalant, but can’t help the grin on my face.
“A note,” he murmurs. “I love you too.”
“I don’t usually do mushy stuff like that, you know,” I remind him with a laugh, and my stomach clenches when I hear him chuckle.
“Yes, I know. You’re very anti-mush.”
“Damn straight.”
“You know, I always knew this house was cold and uninviting, but I didn’t care because I was hardly here. Now that I’m here without you in it, it’s even worse.” He whispers the last few words.
“Sounds like you have it bad, Nash.”
“I’m having my assistant put it on the market tomorrow. I’ll have my personal stuff sent up north. I’m not staying here again. How’s my car?”
“Well, the tow truck guy told me that it would be just fine in a few weeks,” I slap my hand over my mouth so he can’t hear the laughter.
“That’s not funny.”
“What?”
“I will spank your ass when I see you, Samantha,” he warns.
“Promises, promises.”
“Tell me it’s safe in your parking garage.”
“It’s safe in someone’s parking garage.” This time I don’t hold back on the laughter.
“Samantha Williams!” He’s laughing too and I hear rustling around like he’s getting undressed.
“Are you naked?” I ask.
“Yes. Climbing in bed. You?”
“No, I’m not naked, but I’m in bed.”
“Which shirt are you wearing?”
“Cyndi Lauper,” I lie.
“Liar,” he whispers.
“Journey,” I lie again.
“Try again, sunshine.”
“I might be wearing a signed Nash shirt that my sweet boyfriend gave to me.”
“That’s better.” I hear him yawn and I scoot back down to lie under the covers.
“You should go to sleep. We had a long day.”
“You should sleep too.”
“We have to hang up.” I laugh.
“You hang up,” he mumbles.
“Are we sixteen?”
“Get some rest, baby. I love you.”
He hangs up and I turn on my back and think back on the day. The song, the dancing, the cliffs where we’ll build a house someday.
If this is a dream, I don’t want to ever wake up.
***
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me take you out to lunch.” I complain to Luke when he opens the door to his house.
“Maybe because you’re not making any money, so how would you be able to buy lunch?” He takes my coat and evades when I try to punch him in the arm.
“Don’t be a douche.” I scowl at him. “I have savings. I’m not about to be homeless or anything.”
“Gee, I’m so glad to hear that.” He rolls his eyes and walks ahead of me into the kitchen.
“Where are Nat and Liv?” I pull myself up onto a barstool and lean on the breakfast bar. I’m in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, opting for comfort today.
I have no one to impress.
“They’re out with Jules.”
“They didn’t invite me.” I frown.