“Oh, you’re right. I’m sorry, honey. Just the thought of having you close by makes me happy, and I know your father would love it too. Speaking of, invite him over tonight!”
“He’s out of town,” I say. “I think me coming to Silver Ridge unannounced jinxes it. His girlfriend’s sister just got a divorce and is having a really rough time, so they went to see her, and apparently talk her off the ledge of selling everything she owns to buy a yacht and living at sea.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Mr. Harris says wistfully, and Mrs. Harris swats his arm.
“Are you working today?” Sam asks Jacob.
“I’m always working,” he replies. “I don’t have any appointments today. I recently hired another vet to help with our client load.”
“Is she hot?” Mason asks and Jacob rolls his eyes.
“I suppose,” Jacob says. “But she has also been happily married to her wife for a while now and they just adopted another baby. And don't even go there,” he adds before Mason can make some sort of crude comment.
Until a few weeks ago, it had been years since I’d spoken to any of the Harris boys. We all grew up together, and Mason and Jacob felt like they were my brothers more times than not. And I know Mason well enough to know he uses humor to deflect any sort of unwelcome feeling. There are definitely more unhealthy ways of dealing with your feelings, but for all Mason did for us, I want him to be happy as well.
“So no,” Jacob says, going back to Sam’s original question. “Unless there’s an emergency, I’m not working today. You guys want to come over or something?”
“To the house,” Mrs. Harris asks. “Call me selfish, but the times I get all three of my boys in town at the same time are few and far between. I won’t bug you, I promise. I have a last-minute bridesmaid dress alterations to finish up for Lennon. She’s coming over later to try it on. I’m sure she’d love to stay and catch up!”
I have to think for a moment to remember that Lennon is Sam’s cousin. She’s a year or so older than Rory, I think. We were friendly since we saw each other at Harris family functions, but we never hung out or anything. I liked her, though. She has a bubbly personality and was way more outgoing than I ever understood anyone could be.
“I’ll keep her out of your hair,” Mr. Harris says with a wink. “We did promise to take Nana Benson out to dinner.”
“How is she doing?” I ask.
“Still as feisty as ever,” Mrs. Harris answers. “Though her memory is fading more and more each day.”
Our food comes, and my mouth waters at the sight of my bacon. I catch Lauren staring at us halfway through breakfast, but honestly, she doesn’t bother me anymore. Sam and I are happy…right?
The rain is coming down harder by the time we leave, bringing a chill to the air. I’m still stuffy with a slight sore throat.
“I’ll go get the car,” Sam tells me when we get outside. I wrap my arms around myself. I’m wearing a chunky off-the-shoulder sweater, and my one bare shoulder makes me get chilled right away. I sniffle and cough, chest hurting a bit.
“We have an umbrella,” I tell him. “I can walk.”
“Stay here.” Sam gives me a quick kiss and takes off, jogging through the rain. I stand to the side under the black-and-white striped awning. It’s faded from the sun, with mold stains along the corners. I’m fairly certain it’s the same exact awning that was here twenty years ago. It just adds to the charm of this place now.
We follow behind his family on the way to his parents’ farmhouse.
“I still want to fuck you in my childhood room,” Sam says, looking at me, eyes full of desire. “To complete the fantasy, I’ll see if my mom kept those football sheets I used to have on my bed.”
“Do you have your old letterman’s jacket too? I’ll wear it…and nothing else.” I give him a wink.
“Don’t tease me, Chloe. You’d look so fucking hot in that.”
“My old Girl Scout vest is in my dad’s basement. I can sell you cookies later,” I say with a straight face.
“You are definitely going to sell me cookies later.”
I narrow my eyes, trying to be coy. “You some want thin mints? Wait, that’s not sexy. There’s nothing thin about you, if you know what I mean.”
“You are such a dork and I love it.” Sam slows as his BMW bumps along the gravel driveway. He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. He puts his car in park and turns off the engine. “I love you, Chloe.” The stress is back on his face again, for just a brief moment.