Becky asked Sam to come over on Friday night. Reed had a wedding to shoot photos for, and Becky was craving a night of laughter and a bottle of wine. Since getting married, they didn’t do it as often as they used to, and she missed those nights. It’s not that she didn’t want to; it’s just that now Reed took a bigger piece of her time.
Sam showed up with a bottle of wine, and Becky had prepared snacks. Bella found the girls, and prodded and kneaded her little paws on Sam’s lap. She was so much calmer now that she’d matured. Sam kind of missed seeing Becky’s cat dart across the room like the house was on fire, but the snuggling was nice, too.
“Did you guys decide on a dog yet?” Sam asked Becky, idly petting the cat.
“We decided to wait.”
“Why?”
She grinned. “We’re going to work on getting pregnant first.”
Sam’s attention fully shifted to her friend in a moment of surprise. “Becky! Should you be drinking wine? Could you be pregnant?”
“No, no! We just decided this week. We’ve been discussing timing, and well, why not?”
“I’m so happy for you!” A genuine smile spread across Sam’s face.
“Yeah, me a mom, can you picture it? I mean, I don’t know how easy it will be for me to get preggers, but I’m kind of excited at the prospect.”
“I can imagine.”
“So, how did it go with elevator guy?” Becky asked, effectively changing the subject.
“Christopher?”
“Yeah, him.”
“It sort of didn’t go. I mean, I went over and something has definitely changed between us. The hostility is gone, and what’s left is this...I don’t know, sort of chemistry.”
“Nice!” It was Becky’s turn to be happy for her friend.
“I’m not sure where it’s going, or if it will go anywhere. His sister called before we could really spend time together. She went into labor, so he had to leave. He did send me home with dinner, and it was actually really good. He can cook.”
“Do you want to see him again?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “I mean, I’m attracted to him, but it’s weird. We’ve been going at each other, sniping here and there for a while now, and the change is a bit unsettling. Anyway, other than the baby talk, what’s new with you?”
“I finally did it.”
“Did what?”
“I pooped while Reed was home. He was on the other side of the house, but usually I hold it in until he leaves. I just...don’t want him to think his bride is stinky.”
Sam’s side split with giggles. “Holy cow! I can’t believe you went this long! I’d have lasted all of a day. I mean, when I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go.”
“Right. Well, once I had waited once, it became a pattern. I’d wait for him to leave or be outside doing yard work, and you know...”
“Seriously?”
“Come on, I was the girl in high school who took my shoes off in the bathroom so people wouldn’t recognize my feet if I had to poop in a public restroom.” Becky was almost embarrassed to admit that again, but Sam knew her all through school; it was hardly a secret.
“I forgot about that!” Sammy’s laughter filled the room. Bella jumped off and found another spot to curl up. “Sorry, girl,” she said to the cat, realizing she’d disturbed her.
“Like, what if it’s stinky? I’d be horrified. I’m sure there will come a day when it’s not a big deal, but as a newlywed it still is to me. Can you imagine? He’d be all talking to his buddies, and would be like, ‘wow, my wife could have cleared the house with what she was laying down in the bathroom. I wish I’d known about that before asking her to marry me.’”
“I’m thinking your husband would be discreet enough not to talk about your crapping habits with his buddies. Maybe his habits are up for discussion, but not his wife’s. Why don’t you just stock up on air freshener? Actually, it’s kind of sweet in a twisted way. You’re trying to be all dainty and ladylike.” Sam giggled. “I know you better than that. You realize you probably fart like crazy in your sleep, and he’s already been horrified by what you’re capable of.”
“Gee, thanks.” She answered flatly. “Do you think? Oh my gosh, now I’m going to be all paranoid and make sure he falls asleep first. What if I’ve already done it? Why do you make me think of these kinds of things?”
“Better to just get it over with. Be like, ‘hey babe, you should know I’m human.’ Let one rip and pull the covers up over his head,” she shot back sarcastically.
“Yeah, I’m sure that would go over well. Heck, I hate blowing my nose in front of him, in case there’s a boogie or something I miss. There’s no way I can fart or poop around him yet. I mean, seriously, boogers gross me out, but they don’t stink.”
“Yeah, boogers are pretty gross. I get it. I do, but you’re married. It’s going to happen, and you’re causing yourself unnecessary stress. I mean, big deal, so you fart and poop and have boogies like he does.”
Becky changed the topic. “Hey, I have a question. What direction do you put the toilet paper on? We were in a heated debate about this. I told him he was doing it wrong, and he got all up in arms, saying that I’m doing it wrong.”
“Flap over.”
“Right! He does it flap under. Like, why would someone choose to do it that way? It makes no sense. Then you’re tugging at it, instead of it just rolling freely.”
“Flap under? I never understood that. It seems awkward. Flap over, all the way, baby.”
“We rock!”
“We’re sitting in on a Friday night talking about toilet paper, Becks. I’m not feeling especially cool at the moment,” Sam teased.
“Fair enough, but I’m glad you came over.”
“Me too.”
“So, tell me more about Christopher. Are you going to see him again?”
Sam shrugged. “If he asks me.”
“Ask him. You’re hardly shy,” Becky pointed out.
“I don’t want to make things uncomfortable. He’s my neighbor.”
“He obviously wants to see you. He asked you for dinner.”
Sam nodded. “Yeah.”
“Just do it...and report back to me. You could call him now!”
“I don’t have his number.”
“You should give him yours in case of an emergency, and vice versa. It’s a good ice breaker.” Becky smiled at her brilliant idea.
“I don’t think we’re at ‘in case of emergency’ yet.”
“You live next door to each other. It’s practical.”
Sam paused, and said quietly, “I think I wanted him to kiss me.”
“Like a get to know you kiss, or hot and heavy kissing?”
“I think I kind of wanted a sweet, tender kiss. I wasn’t feeling the vibe of hot, angry sex.”
“Wow, Sammy goes sweet. That’s a nice change of pace,” Becky teased.
“I have my moments,” she grinned.
“Do you think it’s just unresolved tension between the two of you from sparring, or do you like the guy?”
“I barely know him. I mean, we live next to each other, I know his schedule, that he doesn’t like closed-in spaces, and about his family. But he still feels like a stranger. It’s weird. We didn’t start as friends, and we’re cautiously stepping on eggshells not to say the wrong thing. I hope to get past that awkward bit and see if there’s something actually there.”
“Do you think there is?”
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m kind of perplexed. I mean, I find him attractive, but I wasn’t immediately drawn to him. It came on like a slow and steady current, a gentle wave lapping at the beach, not crashing.”
“Nothing says it has to work, but maybe just take your time. You do have a pattern of rushing these things, sort of crash and burn.” She mocked a plane going down with her hand.
Sam sighed. “Yeah, I move too fast. I know. I guess I worry I need to dive in before he changes his mind.”
“You’re
such an awesome catch. Let him hook and reel you in slowly. Because when he finds out what he caught, he’ll be floored.”
“That was sweet. Thanks.” Changing the subject, Sam announced,“Food. I need food. What did you make me?”
The girls found their way into the kitchen.
“Becks, do you think it’s a mistake to date my neighbor?” Sam just couldn’t let it go. Christopher was constantly on her mind.
“I don’t know. I’d just trust your instincts on this one.”
“That’s the thing, my instincts are all confused. I can’t figure it out. Usually I’m all in or not interested. I can’t seem to make up my mind on this guy. We weren’t exactly into each other the last few months, so what changed?”
“Opposites attract?”
Sam sighed. “Maybe. I just wish I had a stronger feeling, one way or the other.”
“If it’s meant to happen, it will,” Becky reassured her. Sam wasn’t so sure.
Chapter 8
It was now or never. Samantha decided what she had to do. Standing in front of Christopher’s door, she brought her hand up to knock and then hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to go through with it. A gentle rap at the door announced her presence.
Opening the door, Christopher smiled on seeing Samantha. He should have asked her back out sooner, only now time had passed and it became awkward. Before he could say anything, she spoke.
“I think you’re a nice enough guy. You’re attractive. It’s nothing that you did wrong, but I think living next door... that it’s going to get awkward if we date. I’m thinking maybe we should be friends, and leave it at that. It would be nice to be friendly instead of hostile, and then we wouldn’t be in a circumstance that might get sticky if we dated and broke up.”
She got it out. There, she said it. It was the right thing to do. Maybe not what she wanted to say, but it made the most sense.
“Right.” He choked back his reply. She obviously thought it through, so he respected her space. “Thanks for stopping by and letting me know where you stand.”
“Are you upset?” Sam twisted her fingers nervously, fidgeting. She’d thought about it long and hard, and finally made a decision after what felt like forever.
“No, it’s probably better this way.” Damn. He waited too long. If he said something now, he’d look desperate.
“I should go. I don’t want to keep you.” She backpedaled. Her door was right there, and yet it felt like miles.
“Right. See you around.” Closing the door, he wished things had gone differently. He should have spoken up.
It was the following week when Christopher saw them together. She was walking into the building with some guy. Who was he? Sitting in his car, he waited for them to pass. He felt a twinge in his belly. Was she dating the guy? Was it just a friend? She hadn’t brought anyone home in a while. What if she...his stomach turned at the thought.
He had to say something, stop them. The jealousy crept up in him like an ivy vine, wrapping around him. She wasn’t even his, and yet the idea of Samantha, his Samantha, kissing that man filled him with remorse. He should have said something, spoken up, told her he had second thoughts...but he didn’t, and now it was too late.
Jumping out of his car, he started to run after them, but the elevator doors had already closed. Looking at the stairs, he bolted up them, two at a time. Getting to their floor, he arrived just as her front door closed. No!
What was he going to do, go all cave man on her? It’s not like she wasn’t a grown woman. She could see whomever she wanted. It’s just that it should be him in there with her, not some other guy. He couldn’t stand the thought of her with some other guy, and if he’d have to hear her through the thin walls, it would be pure torture. Christopher cussed and let himself into his own apartment. It was too late.
Sam looked at her date, wishing the guy was Christopher instead. Pushing him out of her mind, she made small talk as her date pulled her closer into an embrace. A kiss. No chemistry, just going through the motions...it’s what she did. She went on autopilot. It took everything to turn her auto pilot off.
Samantha pulled back. “Josh, I had a nice time, but I’m just not feeling this. Maybe we’d be better off as friends. I’m sorry.”
Saying good-bye, she closed the door quietly behind him and leaned against it. She knew what stopped her, who had stopped her. How had he snuck into her mind like this?
How would she admit she was wrong? She wanted to see him, wanted to get to know him better. It was the time in the elevator, the time he helped Mrs. Chagas, the way he spoke about his nephews. It was the way he filled his t-shirt, and... holy cow, Sam realized she’d grown a small crush on the man next door. And she’d just told him she didn’t want to see him that way. He’d obviously taken it to heart, because he certainly didn’t stop her, and agreed they should remain friends. What had she done? She had closed the door on him before they could truly find out what was between them.
Christopher sat on the sofa, his head in his hands. He’d grown feelings for the girl next door. He barely knew her, yet he felt like he did. It was the way she smiled, how comfortable she was with herself, the way she looked at him. She had courage and strength, was independent and charismatic. He wanted to know her better, and yet she’d made her case. She didn’t want to get involved with him. And her actions today made it more than obvious. She’d already taken someone home.
The last thing he wanted to hear was them going at it through the thin walls. Grabbing his keys, he headed out to his car. He’d go for a drive, crank the radio. It was better than staying here and knowing what they were doing on the other side of the wall. His stomach twisted and knotted at the thought. He hated the guy. He didn’t even know him, but it didn’t matter. He was the one kissing Sam, the one with the girl he wanted.
About to unlock his car door, he glanced to the right and saw a familiar guy. He was standing beside a car, talking on a cell phone. Wasn’t that the guy that went upstairs with Sam? He watched the guy with curiosity. Was he heading back upstairs? When the man got in his car and drove away, Christopher felt the world drop off his shoulders.
She was alone. She didn’t...
He couldn’t move fast enough. He ran into the building. Pressing the elevator button over and over, it finally opened. As it climbed, the click, click of the old machine seemed to go in slow motion. A quick lurch, a hiccup, and it continued. He hated the elevator’s slowness. Relief washed through him as the doors opened. He ran to her door.
“Sam,” he called out while knocking. “Sam, are you there?”
Surprised to hear his voice, Samantha opened the door and came face to face with Christopher.
“I was wrong. I think we should try this. Will you go out with me? Can I take you out?”
She smiled, a warm sensation filling her. A quiet nod, and she admitted, “I’d like that.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I have no idea why, but I can’t. I saw you with this other guy, and it killed me thinking I missed my opportunity.”
“I told him it wasn’t going to work out. The truth is that you’ve been on my mind.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
The couple stood there, a quiet gaze between them, not knowing what else to say in the moment.
Finally, Sam spoke up. “Do you want to come in and hang out for a bit?”
“I’d like that, thanks.” He followed her in, and settled on the sofa. Looking around, he noticed the difference between their apartments. They were duplicate set-ups, just flipped around. Only her apartment had charm, little touches that made it a home. It was bright and colorful like her personality, and showcased photos and things that she’d collected.
When Christopher thought of his plain earth tone apartment, minimal décor, and bare walls, he saw the difference. His looked like a living space, hers looked like a home.
“I’m not sure what’s going on here,” he admitted. “I just know that I
’d like to get to know you better.”
Sam smiled and twisted a ringlet of hair around her finger, letting it bounce onto her shoulder as she unraveled it. “How is your new niece doing?”
“She’s perfection. She’s got the tiniest nose, and has dark hair like her mother.”
“One of my friends is trying to get pregnant. It’s weird to see my friends pairing off and starting families these days. Time goes by so fast.”
“I’m glad we’re doing this.”
“Me too.”
The talk wasn’t deep or meaningful, but they covered the typical get to know you stuff that they’d started when he’d cooked her dinner. Something was different this time. It was in his smile. He was relaxed, comfortable, and glad to be there.
Chapter 9
Sam held the phone to her ear with her shoulder. “It’s not like I did anything different. In fact, I didn’t do anything. I told him I wasn’t going to see him that way. Only, I’d just wrapped a date, and next thing you know he comes bounding to my door, knocking, asking me out on a date. One thing led to another, and soon we were talking all night.”
Becky stirred the ingredients in the soup pot. “I need to put you on speaker.”
Sam heard the click, and then Becky continued. “Sorry, I’m making soup and need both of my hands. So how did you feel when he showed up?”
“Relieved, because I couldn’t stop thinking about him all through my date, and I felt pretty badly for the other guy, Josh. I’d just told Christopher a few days before that it wasn’t a good idea, and totally regretted it. Only he didn’t fight me on it, so I figured he wanted it that way too. Turns out neither of us did.” Sam flicked at her nail, chipping off the tiny bits of nail polish that remained on her pinky nail. “What kind of soup are you making?”
“Beef stew. Once I finish browning the meat and onions, I’ll toss in the carrots and potatoes. I love my pressure cooker. It makes it so easy.”
“I’ve never used one. I’ve only recently discovered the wonderful world of the crock pots. Maybe I’ll be adventurous and tackle a pressure cooker one day.”
Crazy About Curves: 10 Luscious Reads Page 28