“Tell me about it.” Sam scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You know, showing up uninvited at my apartment in the city was one thing. But following me all the way out here, to another state, is another level of creepy.”
“So what happened?” Kerry took a big sip of her drink and cast Sam a look of concern.
“Well, clearly he’s deluded. The man is not used to hearing the word no about anything. Told me he wants me and that’s that.” Sam squeezed her eyes shut and took another sip. Anger bubbled up at the memory of the way he grabbed her. “He got kind of rough. Grabbed me and practically dragged me over the counter.” Sam let out a shaky breath and opened her eyes. “I’m not sure what would’ve happened if Malcolm hadn’t shown up.”
Kerry leaned closer, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “No way! The hottie showed up and rescued you?” She let out a loud hoot and slapped her own leg. “I love it!” She nudged Sam’s arm with her glass. “What did he do? Please tell me he beat the shit out of that little worm.”
Sam gave a small smile and shook her head. “He didn’t have to. He’s twice Roger’s size and lifted the guy off the ground like he weighed nothing at all. And given the fact that Roger—quite literally—pissed in his pants, I don’t think I’ll see him again.”
Kerry laughed. “Ohmigod,” she squealed. “He didn’t actually pee his pants?”
“Yup.” Sam nodded and giggled. “He left a big old puddle right there on Millie’s floor.”
The two of them laughed until they were breathless and crying.
Kerry wiped away the tears with the back of her hand and moved to her own chair. “Well, this Malcolm guy sounds like a keeper. If he has any tall chivalrous friends who like a woman with meat on her bones, be sure to send ’em my way.”
“Come on, you are constantly surrounded by hot guys. You mean to tell me none of them do it for you?”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “The men in my industry are slimy pigs and often dumb as stumps. They either want to get into my pants and say they bedded a model, or they want to get into my wallet.” She slipped her sunglasses back on and waved away the notion. “No thanks. Besides…I’d have to be able to tolerate touching someone in order to have sex.”
That definitely surprised Sam. She wasn’t aware her friend had been as lonely as she had.
“I think it’s pretty wild that this guy lives in the creepy house from our childhood. Did he tell you anything about his family? I mean, there’s always been such a cloak of secrecy around them and that house.”
The overflowing tray of fruit, cheese, and crackers looked delicious. As kids, they’d shared secrets over Diet Coke and M&M’s, but that evolved to margaritas with a fruit and cheese platter as they’d gotten older. Sam picked at the assorted goodies Kerry had laid out on the table. She selected a small bunch of green grapes and sat back in her chair.
“He told me some. His parents are still alive and kicking and living the good life over in Milan. He runs his family’s shipping business from the house. It’s just him and Davis, the butler.”
“Oh my God! That guy is still alive? He was like a fossil when we were kids. Christ, he must be positively ancient now.” Kerry popped a cube of cheese in her mouth.
“I guess.” She shrugged “I mean, I haven’t met him yet. Just from across the way y’know.” Sam sipped her drink. The ice cold liquid was a welcome sensation as it coated her dry throat. She closed her eyes and willed the margarita to dampen the heat that flared through her body. All she’d done was talk about him, and it got her all hot and bothered. She was in big trouble.
“So when do I get to meet your hunky hero?” Kerry wiggled her eyebrows.
“Um…I don’t know,” Sam began with some trepidation.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be pushy. It’s just that you are clearly nuts for this guy, and I figure I get best friend approval rights.”
“Of course you do,” she said quickly. “It’s just that I barely know him.”
“Really, you could’ve fooled me. The way you talk about him, you’d think you were soul mates or something.”
“Please. He is not my soul mate. You know I don’t believe in that crap. He’s just a hot neighbor who kisses like the devil.” She sighed as the color rose in her cheeks.
“Holy crap, are you blushing?” Kerry grinned. “You are. You’re blushing. God, the guy isn’t even here, and you’re getting horny. Shit, does he have a brother?” She put the cool glass to her forehead.
“Stop it.” Sam smiled. “And, he’s an only child. Like us.”
“Oh well.” She sighed. “Looks like dumb models and gold diggers for me.”
And with that, they both broke into hysterical giggles.
They spent the rest of the afternoon bouncing between various conversations. They shared beautiful fits of laughter and occasionally the comfortable silences that can only happen between true friends. As the sun made its leisurely descent, Sam knew it was time to head home for dinner with Nonie. She looked over at her friend and smiled. “This has been one of the nicest afternoons I’ve had in a very long time. I needed some girl time more than anything. Thanks.”
“Well, don’t think that this is it. I’m here for two more weeks, and I fully expect to be hanging out on a regular basis. I definitely want to meet the hottie.”
“That’s perfect, but I have to get the rest of my schedule from Millie.”
“Sounds good. Is Billy still waiting tables for his Mom?”
Sam shook her head. “He’s the cook, so he’s running things more often than she is now. He’s primed to take the place over. She and Nonie would have bridge games five days a week if they could.”
“Bridge is a game for four isn’t it? Who else do they play with?”
“Well, Millie’s husband, Pete, and…come to think of it, I don’t have any idea who Nonie’s partner is.” Sam frowned. She felt terribly guilty that she didn’t know that tidbit and made a mental note to find out.
“Really, well maybe you aren’t the only one with a new love.” Kerry smiled slyly.
They started gathering up the remnants of their afternoon nosh while both giggled at the idea of Nonie and a boyfriend. They were rudely interrupted by the slamming of the front door and footsteps tromping up the wooden staircase in the front hall. The unexpected noise had Sam jump about a foot in the air with a shriek.
“Jesus Christ, what or who was that,” she said, her hand to her chest.
“Well, hello to you too,” Kerry shouted into the house. “Sorry about that. It’s my cousin, AJ. Remember him? He stayed with us that summer before we started college? His dad is my mom’s brother.”
“Oh right!” Sam grimaced. “Wasn’t he the one with the Dungeons and Dragons obsession?”
“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “Actually he’s gotten to be kind of cute. I was considering setting you up with him before I heard about your new obsession.” She winked.
“Very funny.” She followed Kerry into the house with their dishes. “Why is he staying here?”
“He’s a marine biologist and has a temporary gig as some kind of fish consultant over at the Mystic Aquarium this summer.” She shrugged. “My parents told him he could crash here before they knew I was coming to visit you. It’s fine really,” she said with a wave. “He works a lot, and I don’t even know he’s here most of the time.”
“Fish consultant?” Sam put the dishes into the sink.
“Actually, I’m here to gather some data on their beluga whale population,” said a voice behind them.
They turned around to see her cousin standing in the kitchen doorway. He had a big grin on his face that gave him giant dimples. Kerry was right. He was much cuter than he’d been in high school. Then again who wasn’t? He was tanned with dark brown eyes and sun-bleached hair. He definitely had a surfer dude look. Not the weenie Sam remembered.
“Hey there, Cousin.” Kerry waved and quickly gestured to Sam. “You remember my best friend, Sam Logan?”
“Of course I do,” he said with a big dimpled smile. “How could I forget the most beautiful girl at the beach? Hey, Sam.” He shook her hand and gently kissed her on the cheek.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sam said teasingly. “I remember you, AJ, but I don’t remember you being such a charmer. Sorry about the fish consultant thing. It was Kerry’s fault.” She nudged her friend with her elbow.
“Traitor.” Kerry feigned annoyance through narrowed eyes.
“Don’t worry about it.” He laughed. “A lot of people have no idea what I really do. My mother still tells people I swim with the dolphins.”
“How long are you here for?”
“Well, I should have most of my data gathered in the next week or so, and then I can take it back to our facility in Miami. I’m comparing the mating habits of belugas in captivity with those in the wild. The aquarium in Mystic has the best population of belugas on the east coast. My aunt and uncle were kind enough to take pity on me and let me stay here.”
“Well, you’re definitely a quiet guest. My grandmother thought the house has been empty all summer.”
“You know how it is.” He sighed and leaned one shoulder against the kitchen doorway. “I don’t want to get kicked out. Especially now that the diva here has moved back in,” he said, nodding toward Kerry.
“Keep it up, and you’ll be sleeping with the fishes, wise ass.” Kerry threw an olive at him.
AJ laughed good-naturedly as he dodged the mini-missile.
“Say, Sam. Would you like to get dinner with me one night this week?”
Sam suddenly became very aware that she was wearing only her one-piece black bathing suit as his gaze wandered over her body. It made her unexpectedly uncomfortable. “Dinner? Well I…”
“She’s already got a man, AJ. Sorry. You’re a day late and a dollar short,” Kerry said. “Hey, maybe we can all go out for dinner. Not a double date because you’re my cousin and that would be gross. Not to mention illegal, but still could be fun.”
“Sure.” He delivered that big dimply smile again. “That sounds like fun. I haven’t done much socializing since I’ve been here, and a night out with human beings sounds great.”
“Then it’s settled,” Kerry said before Sam could protest. “So what’s today? Tuesday? How about this Saturday night? We could all go over to Mohegan Sun and grab some dinner at that great Asian place. Do a little gambling. Sam, why don’t you and Malcolm pick up me and my cousin here at around seven?”
“Okay.” Sam smiled. “I’ll talk to Malcolm later and see if he’s up for it.”
AJ’s phone beeped loudly, and he quickly looked to see the caller. “I’ve got to take this. It’s a work call. Bye, Sam. See you Saturday.”
They heard him greeting his caller as he made his way back upstairs.
“Jeez, I forgot how pushy you can be,” Sam said in a loud whisper as she got her stuff and began to head out the back toward the beach.
Kerry responded by sticking out her tongue and giving Sam a good old-fashioned raspberry.
“Oh, and mature too. Nice.”
“I’ve got a meeting in NYC tomorrow, so I’ll be gone for the day, but do you want to go shopping on Thursday? Think Millie can live without you for a day?”
“Actually, I’ve got the next couple of days off from the diner so Thursday sounds great. What’s the meeting in the city about?”
“I’m doing a cover shoot for Vogue. Can you believe it? A plus-size model on the cover and a full spread inside.” Kerry smiled and shook her head as she wrapped up the leftover nosh. “Let’s just hope the entire interview doesn’t focus on my weight. How are we ever going to change the way people think—or the industry, for that matter—if every interview I do is about my size?”
“You’re gorgeous. That’s why you’re as successful as you are. Face it girl. You sparkle at any size.” Sam winked and blew her a kiss. “I’ll call you later.”
“Shopping and lunch in Watch Hill on Thursday!”
“Sold! I’ll see you then.”
Sam waved and made her way down the steps to the beach.
Chapter 11
Malcolm had been combing the beach all day after the incident at the diner. He had to take a cab back because he couldn’t risk materializing in front of anyone. He got dropped off about a block away. Once he returned to Paddy’s he scanned the minds of the various patrons and was relieved to find that his abrupt departure earlier had gone unnoticed. He breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his search for her necklace.
Earlier in the day, he had asked the restaurant manager if they’d found anything, but to no avail. He continued his search outside and went over and over the paths they’d taken. He persistently scanned the sandy shore for any glint of that precious silver. He sensed that the beach and restaurant patrons were a bit unnerved by him and his resolve. He could feel their apprehension from every angle. Malcolm, as with all Amoveo, was a gifted telepath. He had learned over the years to block out the thoughts of others unless he specifically wanted to hear them. What couldn’t be blocked were the strong emotions of the humans around him.
Over time, all Amoveo grew accustomed to the emotional onslaught; it was something that came with age and maturity. However, it was still an annoyance much of the time. He tried his best to filter out the emotions around him so he could focus on Sam’s residual energy. If he couldn’t see it, then perhaps he could feel it.
After hours of looking, the sun finally began to set, and he was still empty-handed. In one last ditch effort, he stood on the spot where they’d shared their first kiss. He closed his eyes and stretched his arms out around him with his palms facing the sandy beach. He concentrated on Sam. Her eyes, her smile, the fresh smell of her skin, the spicy taste of her lips. He took in a large breath, desperately trying to pick up her signature.
Then it hit him.
Samantha.
His eyes flew open. He tore off his sunglasses and looked down to his left. His vision zoomed in, and there it was. Directly below his left hand he saw the smallest glint of silver flashing at him. Triumphantly, he plucked his treasure from its sandy bed. He’d probably been over that spot a hundred times that day and hadn’t found it. A huge smile cracked his face. He straightened up with the prize dangling from his fingers and heard a little girl to his right.
“Hey, mister. You found buried treasure. Are you a pirate?”
He absentmindedly looked over at the pigtailed little girl without shifting his eyes back. He was promptly greeted with a shrill scream as she ran back to her family. Abruptly brought out of his trance, he shifted his eyes back to normal and made his way back to his car. While walking to the parking lot, he could hear the little girl screaming about the man with animal eyes. As he suspected, the parents brushed her comments aside as nonsense, dismissing her as a child with an overactive imagination. If only they knew.
Most humans were blind to the existence of anything beyond their own version of normal. Samantha had been one of them, at least until recently. That was all about to change. Tonight he would bring Samantha her necklace. He would reveal the hidden world around her and inside of her. He just prayed she would be able to accept him. Their lives depended on it.
***
Sam walked into the house and was greeted by the pleasant sound of Nonie’s laughter from the kitchen. Surprisingly, it was mixed with a male laugh, which threw her for a loop. She tiptoed from the back door and made her way toward the kitchen. She peered around the corner, looked into the kitchen, and was completely stunned by the scene before her. Nonie sat at the little kitchen table holding hands with none other than old Davis from next door. He looked up and caught Sam’s eye.
“Samantha Jane, stop peering around doorways like a spy, and come in to say hello,” Nonie said without even turning around.
Sam shrank inside with embarrassment. She got busted by her grandmother. Nice. She stepped into the kitchen, and Davis stood up to greet her, his hand extended and his smile charming.<
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“Hello, Ms. Samantha. It’s so very nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Helen and of course from Malcolm as well.” He winked with all the charm you’d expect from an English gentleman. He shook her hand gently and gave her a genuine smile. “Please sit down, and join us for some tea.”
“Well, I don’t want to interrupt.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, dear. Davis has been dying to get to know you. Look, he even brought you a Welcome Home gift,” Nonie said, gesturing to the enormous white wicker basket on the table. It was beautifully decorated and spilled over with biscuits, teas, lotions, cookies, and various other items. It would probably take hours to go through it and discover all the goodies buried within.
“Please, Ms. Samantha, do join us.” Davis pulled out the empty chair for her.
“All right.” Sam sat in the chair between Nonie and Davis. She looked back and forth between them and realized that she had interrupted her grandmother’s date. It was a very odd sensation. She didn’t quite know what to make of it. Pop had been gone for a few years, and she didn’t want Nonie to be lonely, but she also wasn’t sure if she was ready to see her with another man.
“Now tell us about your visit with Kerry,” Nonie said before a sip of tea. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s great. She’s been jet-setting all over the place and is glad to be getting a break. Thanks for telling her I’d be here, Nonie. I really needed a visit with her.” Sam sipped the tea Davis had poured for her. “Oh, by the way, she’s not staying there alone. Her cousin, AJ, is staying with her. Do you remember him? Apparently, he’s a marine biologist working over at the Mystic Aquarium and is staying here while he works.”
“AJ? I don’t think I recall him. Is he a cousin from her mother’s side or her father’s side?” Nonie asked.
“Her mother’s, I think. Why?”
“Oh no reason.” She smiled. “Just curious I suppose.” Nonie glanced at Davis over the edge of her teacup.
“Davis. Is Malcolm home? Kerry and AJ want to go out on Saturday night, and we thought Malcolm might like to come.”
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