"Why do I have to help?" asked Pete. "Can't Maddie? Isn't that what you girls do, go into the kitchen and discuss the meaning of life?"
"Not today," Linda said with a wink that only Sam couldn't see.
"Why are you winking?" Pete stood. "Have you got something in your eye?"
Linda grabbed his hand and pulled him inside, leaving the dirty dishes behind.
"Subtle," said Sam, leaning back in his chair. He'd changed into jeans and a clean T-shirt. His hair was still damp but from the shower this time. Maddie liked the way the jagged edges fell above his eyes, framing his face and making him look like a brooding teen again. "I'm glad they left us on our own. We need to talk."
Emily fell over and squealed at the top of her lungs. Grateful for the distraction, Maddie got up to rub the grazed knee and returned to Sam. Slowly. How many more times could her niece help her avoid the awkward discussion she knew was coming?
"Maddie, about yesterday." He leaned forward. "I'm sorry."
"Oh," she said innocently, "what for?"
He lifted one big shoulder. "For being a jerk?"
She gave him points for trying. But he wasn't a jerk and she didn't want him blaming himself for her issues. She was the one with doubts, not him. He was just acting under the influence of some very powerful hormonal urges induced by Pheramour.
"It's not you, it's me," she said.
"Gee, where have I heard that before?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I think I've used that one in half my relationship breakups." He grunted and focused on David and Emily chasing each other round the back yard. Tension zapped across the space between them. "So this is what it feels like to be on the other end?"
She bit her lip. You've got to do this. "It happens to be true on this occasion. Look, it's nobody's fault—"
"Aha," he pointed at her, "there's another one. Also on my list of favorite breakup lines." He smiled but the humor didn’t reach his blue eyes. "How about 'I need to find myself', that's a good one. I used that on a spiritualist and she totally fell for it. And then there's 'We want different things' which I wish I'd used on my ex. She wanted my money and I wanted her out of my life. For a year after my father died I found 'I need some time' went down a treat. Follow that up with 'You're so sweet for understanding' and you're on a winner." One corner of his top lip curled and a muscle worked in his cheek. "Any of those suit? Feel free to borrow one."
Maddie felt like crawling into a small dark space and staying there until winter 2050. By then she might be over Sam and he might have forgiven her. Maybe.
"Sam, I'm sorry, but you'll thank me one day." Like next time she saw him and Pheramour had completely worn off.
"There's another good one. Can't recall ever using it myself though."
"Sam, please."
He stood and looked like he was going to leave but didn't. He ran a hand across his five o'clock shadow and sighed, then sat again. "Maddie, against my better judgment, I'm going to lay it on the table. I like you. A lot." He held his palm up when she opened her mouth to protest. "I know we're not really in a relationship, but we have known each other forever, so I think we can skip all the dating crap. So here's the thing." He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his thighs, his hands dangling between his knees. "I want to see more of you. I have no idea what I said to upset you yesterday, but I apologize for it." He shrugged. "I confess, I'm just a dumb guy when it comes to figuring out women, but-"
"Stop it, Sam. Please."
"I'm not finished." He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. "I can't remember ever being attracted to someone the way I'm attracted to you. I can't get enough of you. It feels like I'm on a drug."
If only he knew.
"That's got to account for something, don't you think?"
Oh hell. Maddie focused on the children pushing each other in the garden, arguing over Emily's Barbie. She got up to separate them, her mind only half on the job, but Sam caught her hand and stopped her.
"Maddie, I want to see more of you."
She snatched her hand away, regretting the loss of touch more than she liked to admit. "No, Sam. We can't. End of story." She strode down to the lawn, snatched Barbie off David who was holding the doll out of Emily's reach, and pulled the legs and arms from their sockets. She gave the torso to Emily and the limbs to David.
"There, now you can both play with her."
When she straightened and turned round, Sam was gone.
CHAPTER 11
Sam felt like he'd done ten rounds with Ali. He was dazed and his gut ached. Women! He'd dated his fair share but he still didn't have a clue how they ticked. Especially Maddie Clarke. Never in his life had he met a woman who confused him and turned him on at the same time.