“Of course not. We’ll do it another time.” She waved her hand in the air. “It’s fine .”
But there was something gnawing at me that said it wasn’t fine. I didn’t know whether she was upset I blew her off for my imaginary cousin, or if she had a theory my cousin was Sam .
* * *
I turned the lights on in my apartment and looked around. I had been gone a day, but it felt different. I felt different. I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. Sam’s number was at the top. I hit send and waited for him to answer .
“Hey, gorgeous .”
I smiled and felt the giddiness of butterflies in my belly. I missed him already .
“I’m home .”
“That’s too bad. I wish you were still in San Antonio .”
“Me too,” I whispered. I sat on the couch .
“I was thinking I could drive up Friday after practice. We don’t practice on Saturdays and we have a home game Sunday. I can make it back to San Antonio with plenty of time .”
“That could work. But I do have practice Saturday morning .”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep your bed warm for you until you get back .”
I felt the stirring sensation in my core. Holy hell. I hadn’t thought what it would be like to have Sam here in my apartment, or in my bed. Suddenly Friday seemed like an eternity .
“Promise?”
“I do .”
I smiled. I could get used to this. Sexy conversations on the phone. Torrid nights that no one knew about. There was a thrill to the secrecy that I was starting to like .
“What are you going to do for the rest of the night?” I asked. I didn’t know much about Sam’s life other than he played football .
“Probably watch footage for the Sunday game .”
“Oh.” Maybe there wasn’t more to him than football. I felt a slight sinking feeling .
“And probably make some dinner .”
“Do you cook ?”
“Yes, I cook. Do you cook ?”
“No. I’m the worst cook.” I ate cereal and salads. Anything with more directions and I would burn it .
“Then good thing you met me. I’m basically a chef. Should have gone to culinary school .”
“Why didn’t you ?”
He chuckled. “There’s not as much money in whipping up a mean pasta as there is in catching a leather ball .”
“I keep forgetting .”
“I like that you forget. You don’t give a shit I play football, do you ?”
I shook my head. “Not at all .”
“And you know I don’t care you’re on a dance team, right ?”