by Tori Scott
Sam thought for a moment. "I'm perfectly satisfied with my life, just the way it is."
***
"Okay, are you guys going to gossip all night, or are we going to bowl?" Gray finished tying his bowling shoes and picked up a ball. "I'm up first."
He threw a strike and the game was on. Reggie couldn't stand to lose at bowling. By the third game, they were tied one game each, with Cara a distant third. Reggie bowled a turkey, with Gray right behind her. This was going to be a tough one. Reggie glanced back to see if Gray was watching and nearly dropped the ball.
What was Sam doing here?
She turned back to face the pins and bowled a seven-ten split.
Gray smirked and sauntered up to the ball return. "Got you beat, now," he said as she frowned at Sam, who had stopped at the counter.
"I demand a do-over. Sam threw me off my game." She eyed Gray suspiciously. "Did you know he was going to show up? I bet the two of you planned this."
"Nope. I invited him, but he said he had a date."
"That would explain the suit. He looks as out of place here as I did at the country club."
"Yeah, somebody needs to teach that boy to relax," Cara told her. "And I think you're just the one to do it."
Sam got his shoes and walked over to the lane where the others were deep in discussion. He still didn't know what had possessed him to drop Beebe off early and drive out here. He hadn't bowled since Gray's thirteenth birthday party.
Gray and Cara greeted him with smiles and hugs. Reggie stood by the ball return, looking at him with…was that suspicion? Whatever, her eyes were narrowed and that was definitely a smirk on her face. Then she turned her back on him without a word and sent the ball flying down the lane. No way she could make that shot. There was a big hole in the middle with a pin on each corner.
She turned back around with a satisfied smile when the ball caught the pin on the left and sent it sliding across the lane to catch the pin on the right. He started to congratulate her, but she was looking at Gray. "I'm not out of this game yet, Mr. Hot Shot." She glanced at Sam. "Oh, hi Sam. What are you doing here?"
He looked down at the silly looking shoes that made his feet look huge "Isn't it rather obvious?"
"But you never come bowling with us."
Cara shot her a look and Reggie shut up. Now what was that all about? He obviously shouldn't have come. But Gray had hit a nerve back in his office when he asked if Sam was happy. Truth was, he wasn't. Not by a long shot. But Gray seemed to be, and Sam wanted to find out what had made the difference for him. Not that long ago, Gray had been just like him, dating bleached blondes and going from one party to the next. Then he'd come up with that crazy idea to make Cara keep that promise from high school and talked Sam into hiring Cara to set up a seduction scene. From that moment on, Gray had barely noticed other women still existed.
So, it must be Cara who made him so happy. Too bad he didn't have a Cara in his life.
"Listen, if you're going to hang out with us," Reggie said, "you're going to have to lose the jacket and tie. "
She held her hand out and he removed both items and handed them over. He cringed when she tossed them onto the bench seat behind the lane. That jacket cost over a thousand dollars. Then she took his black dress shoes and kicked them under the same bench. George was going to lecture him about the scuff marks, for sure.
Reggie came back and moved in close--too close--and unbuttoned the collar of his shirt. Sam swallowed. Then she undid the next button. Was it getting hot in here? A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.
"Now you look like a real man. No more Ken and Barbie." She turned him around and checked out his butt. "You need a nice pair of jeans to show off that ass, though."
"Reggie…"
Reggie grinned and stepped back. "I hope you brought your checkbook with you. Because Gray and I are both in for twenty."
"Nope, I left it in the car so I wouldn't be tempted. Tonight is just a little friendly competition."
But there was no real competition other than between Gray and Reggie. Sam and Cara weren't in the same league, barely breaking one hundred. In spite of being soundly beaten, it was the most fun he'd had in years.
Now he just needed to figure out how to talk Reggie into taking that cruise. At least if they went along, they'd be there to pick up the pieces if Gray and Cara found out they couldn't spend days together, much less a lifetime.
CHAPTER TWO
"Did you see his face?" Reggie hadn't had so much fun bowling in her whole life. She'd tormented poor Sam all evening, exaggerating the sway of her hips as she approached the lane, sitting too close to him on the seat while Gray and Cara took their turns. She'd even tried to coach Sam on his technique--or lack of it--by standing close behind him and putting her hand on his to show him the proper line his arm should travel. The ever-cool Sam had definitely noticed.
"Yeah. I thought the poor guy was going to run for the hills a couple of times tonight." Cara handed Reggie and Gray a glass of wine and curled up on the couch next to Gray.
Reggie was too wired to sit down. For the first time in years, Sam had actually let go of some of that Harvard-bred reserve and enjoyed himself. Just the fact that he'd left his date and joined them was a first.
When Cara wrapped a strand of Gray's hair around her finger and he turned and kissed her cheek, Reggie knew it was time for her to leave. She drained her glass of wine and set it on the bar. "Well, I've got to get going. Have a landscaping job to start tomorrow."
Cara looked at Gray, then back to Reggie. "You need a vacation, Reggie."
"No time, no money. Besides, work slows down in the winter. I can take one then. Now, I'm outta here."
Reggie smiled all the way to the truck, so happy to see Cara and Gray together at last. Until she saw Sam sitting in the passenger seat. "Sam, what the hell are you doing in my truck?"
"I forgot to give you that check again." He handed her the check for five hundred dollars. "And I'm hungry. Want to go to the diner for a burger?"
Reggie eyed him suspiciously. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
He shifted in the seat. Reggie would bet he was blushing, but it was too dark to see.
"Maybe. So, what if I am?"
"You remember what happened the last time you pulled that attitude on me? I gave you a black eye." Okay, so it had been in the third grade, but they'd been friends ever since.
"Yes, ma'am. I do. Look, I'm hungry and I don't want to go home and make George fix me something to eat. Do you want to go with me or not?"
She pretended to think for a minute. "Sure, why not? I could eat a burger. You are paying, right?"
"Of course."
"Cool." Reggie started the truck and backed out onto the street, then headed south toward the lake. She couldn't think of anything to say now that she had his undivided attention. She'd be willing to bet his girlfriend didn't have that problem.
They chose a table on the patio where they could watch the people strolling down the street. "Don't these people have to work tomorrow? It's nearly midnight."
Sam shrugged. "They look like college kids. Probably don't have a class until noon."
"That must be nice. My days start at six."
He stared at her. "Are you serious? Why so early?"
"Ever heard the saying that you have to make hay while the sun shines?
Sam gave her a blank look.
"Geez, Sam. You've really had a sheltered life. It just means that I have to take advantage of all the daylight I can. Once the sun goes down, I have to pack up and go home. If I want to keep my bills paid, I have to work while I can." And there were times when even that wasn't enough. Like when the transmission went out on her truck last month and took nearly everything she had to get it running again.
"I guess I didn't realize you worked such long days. I actually don't know too many women who work, besides you and Cara. I mean, they work, but not at jobs where they rely on a paycheck. "
The waitres
s set their burgers and fries on the table, then brought their shakes. Reggie smiled her thanks and said, "Can I ask you a question? What time did you start work today?"
The girl sighed. "At two. It's been a long day. But I get off in a few minutes. Y'all enjoy your burgers."
"See, Sam? Like I said, you live a sheltered life. Most of the world works for a living, and with the economy like it is, they're working longer hours for less money. I know I am. People aren't willing to pay for things they can do themselves right now. And very few of us can afford a life of leisure. " She took a bite of her burger and watched Sam dig into his. For a man used to fancy four-course meals, he seemed to really enjoy it.
Sam used his paper napkin as though it was made of the finest linen, dabbing at the corner of his mouth. Reggie wanted to grab it and show him how to wipe his mouth like a normal person. She loved him, really. But she wanted to shatter that privileged façade and find the real man underneath. She knew he was there. But he'd grown so used to his life and position that he'd buried his personality under that layer of sophistication to the point that he no longer knew how to act real.
"So you think I'm out of touch with the real world? Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes, exactly. You need to let your hair down, so to speak, and come down off that high horse of yours and try living like the rest of us." Oops. Now she'd done it. From the look on his face, she'd hurt his feelings. That wasn't her intention. She just wanted the old Sam back, the one who'd displayed that black eye like a badge of honor. The one who'd conspired with her to bring Cara and Gray back together. Her Sam. Not Beebe's Sam.
"I have responsibilities, Reggie. When my parents died, I inherited all the duties that come with heading up the foundation. I have an image to uphold. I can't just throw all that away."
"Why not?" She leaned forward, holding his gaze. "I don't mean you should stop the charitable work. But why can't you be yourself and still do that? Are you afraid your ritzy friends won't like you anymore? Because if they stop being your friends for that, they aren't friends worth having."
He leaned back in his chair, still sipping his shake. "I'll think about what you said. Really, I will. But in the meantime…I've missed this. Missed being with you and Cara and Gray. I had fun tonight."
Reggie smiled. "We've missed you too, Sam."
"So I've been thinking. "
"Uh-oh. Sounds dangerous."
"Stop being a smart aleck for a minute and listen. Gray and Cara leave on that cruise in a couple of weeks. I think we should go along."
"Are you out of your mind?" Go on a cruise? God, she'd love to. But even if she could afford it, which she couldn't, she couldn't afford to lose two weeks of work.
"No, I'm not. I'm going, already talked to Gray about it. He thinks I need a vacation, and I decided he was right. But mostly I want to be there in case things sour for them. They've never spent two uninterrupted weeks together. What if they find out they can't handle it? I think they need us there for back up."
"No. No way, Sam. Those two are totally in love and they need time together. We'd just get in their way."
"No, we won't. If things are going great for them, you and I can just hang out together and leave them alone. If things don't work out, we'll be there to keep them occupied."
Reggie sighed. "I wish I could Sam. But the God's honest truth is, I can't afford it. I can't afford to miss two weeks of work, I can't afford the ticket, and I can't afford to buy the clothes I'd need."
"Maybe you can't," Sam said, "but I can."
***
"George, can I ask you a question?" Sam straightened his tie, then slid his arms into the jacket George held for him.
"Of course, sir."
"How much do we pay the household help?"
"Ten dollars an hour, sir."
Sam did a quick mental calculation. "Can they live on that, George? Or are they having to work two jobs to make ends meet?"
George stepped back and stood ramrod straight, hands behind his back. "I believe Sarah, the youngest, works a second job, sir. If you'd rather she not…"
Sam turned around. "Relax, George. I'm not about to fire anyone. I just don't think it's right that we don't pay them enough that they don't have to work two jobs. Give them all a raise, immediately. Do you think fifteen dollars an hour is sufficient? Or should it be more?"
"I think fifteen would be generous, sir, and much appreciated." His stoic face didn't change, but his posture relaxed just a fraction.
Sam slid his feet into his shoes and turned back to the full length mirror. "What about you, George? When was the last time you got a raise?"
"I'm not quite sure, sir."
Sam winced. "Which means you haven't had one since my parents died, right?"
George nodded. "That would be correct, sir."
"I'm sorry, George. I never gave it much thought before now. Give yourself a thirty percent increase as well."
George's eyes widened. "Thank you, Mr. Hyatt. I appreciate that." He handed Sam his briefcase.
"You're welcome. And can we dispense with the Mr. Hyatt stuff? My name is Sam." Sam started out the door, then turned back. "When was the last time you took a vacation, George?"
"I can't quite recall, sir."
"Then it's been too damned long. I'm taking a trip the first two weeks of June. I want you to close the house while I'm gone. You and the rest of the staff can take the two weeks off, with pay. Oh, and send Miss Baker a dozen red roses and a bonus check for a thousand dollars, would you? No, wait. Have the roses delivered here. I'll take them to her myself."
"Of course, sir. Might I ask what inspired this generosity?"
Sam grinned. "You can thank Reggie. She opened my eyes to a few things last night. Oh, and you might see if you can find more work around here for her to do. I'm sure there are gardens that need tending, right?"
"Of course, sir. The rear garden needs to be updated."
"Good. See to that. I have to get to work."
All the way to the office, Sam couldn't stop thinking about what Reggie had said the night before. He knew she was right. He had led a sheltered life, though his parents had let him attend public school instead of the fancy academy they'd wanted him to attend. And he had Reggie to thank for that, also. The first time he'd seen her, she was playing baseball in the park with some other kids. He'd been walking by with his nanny and had stopped to watch the game. Reggie saw him and ran over to the fence to see if he wanted to play. He did, desperately. But his nanny had whisked him away and into the waiting car. That night he had pitched a fit to be allowed to change schools, shocking his mother. But his father had understood why Sam wanted so much to be normal and had overruled his mother's objections.
His first day of school he'd made the mistake of commenting on Reggie's pretty red dress and she'd punched him in the eye, giving him a shiner. Gray had helped him up off the ground, and Cara had fussed over him. Since then, they'd been the best friends a guy could have. Reggie had even apologized and shared her lunch with him. It was his first taste of peanut butter, and he still to this day insisted George keep some in the pantry.
But after his parents' deaths, he'd been caught up in the daily tasks of running the family foundations, going to fundraisers and charity balls, and he'd lost touch with the man he used to be. Now it was all about who he was seen with, and who could do the foundations the most good.
And he no longer felt good about who he was.
He didn't know whether to thank Reggie or curse her for that.
***
Reggie was awakened early Saturday morning by a knock at her door. When she opened it, she found a huge bouquet of roses, held by none other than Sam. She squealed and pulled him inside. "I can't believe you remembered it was my birthday!" She kissed him on the cheek, then put the flowers on the table. "They're beautiful. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He shifted from one foot to the other. "I wasn't sure you'd be home. And you look like I woke you up. Should I leave
and come back later?"
"No, it's fine. Come into the kitchen and I'll fix us some breakfast."
Sam followed her and sat at the bar. "I've already eaten, but I'll take some coffee if you have some."
"I can guarantee you it won't taste like the fancy stuff George makes, but it's caffeine." She pulled out the rarely-used coffee maker and started a pot, then quickly scrambled a couple of eggs and toasted two slices of bread. She filled a cup with the coffee and handed it to him.
He took a sip and tried to hide the grimace.
"Told ya. I suck at making coffee."
"No, it's fine."
"Don't lie, Sam. I don't need you to be polite."
He grinned. "Okay, it's a little bitter, but it's drinkable." He took another sip and shuddered.
"Liar."
He set the cup aside. "Do you have any plans for today?"
Reggie used a piece of toast to scoop up the remaining pieces of egg and popped it into her mouth. "I'm meeting Cara for lunch, and my brother Jerry is barbequing steaks at his house. The whole family is coming. That's about it."
Sam looked disappointed. "Guess I should have realized you'd have plans. I was hoping maybe you'd want to go shopping with me. I have no idea what kind of clothes I'll need for a cruise."
"You can't get George to do that for you?"
He shrugged. "I could, but then I'd just have more of the exact same things I already have in my closet."
Reggie glanced at the clock on the stove. "Okay, I have about four hours before I meet Cara. Give me ten minutes to shower, and we can head out."
"Ten minutes?" He looked incredulous. "I'm going to hold you to that, because I don't think it's possible."
"Check the time, hot shot, because I'm going to prove you wrong." She had the ten minute shower and dress routine down pat because she slept as late as possible every morning. She hated getting up early.
Nine minutes later she walked back into the kitchen, wet hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was dressed in white shorts and a red T-shirt, tennis shoes and socks. "Okay, I'm ready."
Sam looked at her in awe. "I think I'm in love."