“You’re right. I’m all about that bawdy, but—”
“Oh, is this our first one-on-one?”
“And then right on to fantasy suites. You’ve already got a hometown.”
Amanda gasped, leaning forward. “You’re telling me you watch The Bachelor? Please tell me you watch The Bachelor.”
“Lilah watches The Bachelor.”
“Are her parents local?” Amanda asked, her brows scrunching together. She was probably wondering why she lived with Miss Leona instead of with her own parents or in her own place.
“Nah. They are up in wine country. My aunt and uncle have a winery up there.”
“Oh cool. I like her. She’s sweet.”
“Yeah, she’s a good one.” Not that he was gonna put Lilah’s business all out there, but he was glad when Amanda seemed to let the subject drop. Lilah still wasn’t speaking to her father after he actually tried to arrange a marriage between her and a business partner who was older enough to be her father’s college roommate. His uncle Gerald was a good guy, most of the time, but after he raised seven boys, quiet, shy, but smart as hell Lilah confused the fuck out of him.
He didn’t understand that she didn’t need to be taken care of and he definitely didn’t understand that her single status was of her own choosing, not because she wasn’t any good at talking to men. Half of Big Rock’s single staff members and unfortunately a couple of the married ones were in love with her. Sam knew she’d take the plunge when she was ready. He just didn’t know if she’d forgive her dad in time to extend an invite to her parents for Zach and Evie’s wedding.
“Anyway, yeah. She’s made me watch many an episode of The Bachelor.”
“And you love it, don’t you?” she laughed, taking another sip.
“You know who loves it? Jesse.”
“Really?!”
“He pretends he doesn’t, but every week he’s right in front of the TV with Lilah.”
“Jesse’s an interesting guy.”
“He is, but enough about my family. I want to know more about you, Cha-Cha. We don’t have to talk about work, but I want to know everything else.”
“I mean, I’ll give you the entry-level information. A girl has to have her secrets.”
“True, true.”
“Let’s see. I’m an only child. My parents met when they were, like, eight. Started dating in middle school and have been together ever since. My mom is a nurse at the University of Providence, which I think I mentioned before, and my dad is a facilities manager at the Port of Providence. They are both allergic to dogs, so I don’t have to tell you that my childhood was pure misery.”
“Oh shit. That’s just cruel.”
“Isn’t it! They used to get so pissed though ’cause I would just bring home random animals and be like, ‘What, it’s not a dog.’”
“What kind of animals?”
“Oh, anything. Squirrels, raccoons. I trained some of the birds in our neighborhood to bring me random seeds and crap. And of course my crowning achievement, a skunk.”
“Nah, you’re lying. You didn’t skunk whisper a skunk.”
“Yes, the hell I did,” she laughed. “I tried to convince my mom to let me keep it, but then it was more about convincing my mom not to drop-kick it off our back porch.”
“What happened to it?”
“I just let him out the front door. He toddled across the street and promptly sprayed our neighbor’s dog.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, my mom was like, ‘See, that stink would have been all up in this house.’ But I didn’t care. Skunky was a true friend. He wouldn’t have sprayed me.”
“Amazing. Why aren’t you, like, a zoologist or something?”
“Tex, if there’s anything I love more than playing Russian roulette with your standard case of rabies it’s storytelling.”
“Yeah?” Sam didn’t mean for his voice to have that odd lilt to it, but he felt like Amanda had just let him in on some real personal shit.
“Did you ever watch Primal Zero?”
“A bit. My dad was on that show.”
“Oh my God! That’s right. He was Zork.”
“Yep.”
“I forgot ’cause—”
“All the makeup.”
“Wow. Your family. Anyway. My dad and I used to watch Primal Zero all the time and I used to write pages and pages of fanfiction. I finally told my dad about it and he bought me my first computer so I could write and be more organized. He encouraged me to move out here to become a screenwriter.”
“And now you’re writing on a show. The man knew he was making a wise investment.”
Amanda just nodded and let out a sad sigh, as she started picking at the label on her beer.
Sam reached across the table and stoked her hand. She let him, turning her fingers so he could trace the inside of her palm. Her hands were so soft. “If it’s not working for you, Cha-Cha, why don’t you move on to something else?”
“Because there is nothing else at the moment. It was hard enough to get this job. And not all of us have a backup ranch,” she said with a wink.
“Fair. That is fair. I’ll take that.”
“Oh, I know you will. I’m just messin’ with you. Look, I know this is part of the game. None of this is actually glamorous. At the end of the day it’s a job. Sometimes it’s fun and there are cool perks and if you’re lucky you get to be a part of something you love and are really proud of, but you know. You can think you’re onto something good and still feel unfulfilled.”
“If you could do anything, anything. What would it be?”
“Oh man. That’s tough. I don’t know. I just want to be happy.”
“And you’re not? Like, with your life.”
“No. No, I am. I think I just—I can’t really wrap my mind around what I really want. I try to picture it and it doesn’t seem possible. So all of those dreams and wishes get boiled down to a feeling. Whatever my actual meaning of life turns out to be, I just want to be happy.”
“I’m not sure I buy that,” Sam said.
“Oh is that right?”
“I don’t know. It seems like you know and you’re afraid to say it. What did you say earlier? Going after what you want can be scary? What is it you really want?”
“Okay I’ll be—I’ll keep it one hundred.”
“Please,” Sam laughed.
“I’m kinda lonely.” That confession turned the warmth Sam had been feeling in his chest sour. He curled his fingers gently around hers, like he could will the feeling away. “I knew what I was getting into when I moved out here, but it’s been a while and I’m still so homesick.”
“Do you think about moving back?”
“No. There’s nothing for me back in Rhode Island. I’m homesick for my parents though. I have friends here and you know, Helene. She’s an amazing friend. I just didn’t think LA would be so lonely. I need a pet skunk.”
“If they aren’t illegal I’m sure we can find you one.”
“I think that’s why I’ve enjoyed this weekend so much. Your family is great and they made me feel so included.” She rolled her fingers in his and pulled his hand a little closer. “I know you’re not supposed to say stuff like this on a first date, but you should know. I’m crippled with loneliness.”
“I know you’re joking a little bit, but I think you may be onto something.”
“Oh yeah?”
“About LA and the loneliness. Or maybe it’s just a millennial midlife crisis, but I think I’m there too. With loneliness. I have a place in Silver Lake, but when I’m not working I’m always here. I miss my family. I really miss my horse.”
“It’s like you turn a certain age and you think you’re supposed to magically become independent in this weird way, but that’s not how it works. Anyway, I don’t want to feel that loneliness anymore.”
Sam raised his beer. “Here’s to being a little less lonely.” Amanda clinked her beer against his and just as she took down another
deep swig, her eyes widened. She slammed her beer down on the table.
“You are more than free to join me, but this song is my freaking jam and I am headed to the dance floor.” Sam cocked his head to the side and actually focused on the music coming through the sound system. As soon as he recognized the opening notes to Evelyn “Champagne” King’s “Love Come Down,” he grabbed Amanda’s hand and pulled her to the dance floor.
Chapter 16
Amanda silently kicked herself. She just had to let her honesty pour right out, huh? Who the hell talks about how lonely they are on a first date? She was really enjoying her time with Sam and she had the feeling if things between them continued, those glossy glittery feelings he sparked in her wouldn’t go away. Especially if he kept that cowboy hat around. What better way to deaden the vibe between them than to talk about the crippling sadness that came from being thousands of miles away from home while working for someone who was less than a people person. Never mind the fact that she still hadn’t been completely honest about what she actually did for work.
A small voice in the back of her head who sounded suspiciously like Helene told her to relax and just be herself. Instead she panicked and dragged Sam to the dance floor. That seemed to do the trick. Zach and Evie joined them, as did Delfi and Britany. Four songs later and she was working on a fine sheen of sweat as Sam moved behind her, his arms draped over her shoulders as they swayed to “Rump Shaker.”
“This was a horrible idea,” Sam said in her ear. Amanda bit her lips. She tried her best not to notice the way his dick was grinding against her ass, but it was hard to miss. She spun around and put a little distance between their lower bodies. She grabbed his hands, keeping up to the beat as she two-stepped in front of him.
“Better?” she teased.
“No!”
She tossed her head back, her laughter mixing with the music, just before the song switched to a slow country jam she’d never heard before. That didn’t drive her from the dance floor. The opposite. She was impressed with the DJ’s work. Instead she stepped into Sam’s arms, lacing her fingers behind his neck. She gazed up at him as he tipped the brim of that white cowboy hat back and gazed down at her. She liked what she saw in those brown eyes. A sweet kindness coupled with a searing heat. It was a lot of work to stop herself from kissing him right there in the crowded bar. No one seemed to be paying attention to them, but laying one on him in the middle of the dance floor might change that. She was definitely going to sleep with him before the night was over.
A commotion over by the bar tore her attention away from his handsome face. The bartender was yelling at a blond woman sitting on one of the high leather stools. He reached for her phone, but she snatched it back. Amanda couldn’t hear what he was saying beyond a “Now!” that boomed across the room.
“Yikes. Wonder what that’s about,” Amanda said as she turned back to Sam, but he was still looking toward the bar. She followed his gaze as his eyes shifted to something behind her. Zach and Evie were standing close in a similar embrace, but Zach was also staring daggers at the woman in question.
The bartender waved toward someone by the front entrance, and then a bouncer, who Amanda had thought was just a random patron, came toward the bar. The bartender appeared to be explaining the situation, then pointed over toward the dance floor. Something about his angry gesture made Amanda’s chest tighten a bit. Something felt off. The bouncer held his hand out for the phone. The woman refused to hand it over, but it looked like she was showing him something on the screen. That didn’t seem to be enough. He motioned to her and her friend and then started urging the two women toward the door.
“I deleted them. Fucking relax,” one of the women shouted over the music. Amanda couldn’t hear what the bouncer said in response. It seemed like everyone in the place watched as they were escorted out. Sensing the odd shift in mood, the DJ abruptly changed the song, and Amanda absently noted the opening bagpipe screeches of “Jump Around.” A few more people rushed to the dance floor and that seemed to break the trance.
“Wonder what that was all about?” Sam said, more to himself. His arms were still wrapped around Amanda’s waist even though he’d stopped moving.
“Clownery probably.” The sound of her voice seemed to snap him out of it. He looked down at her and smiled.
“Probably,” Sam chuckled. “Wanna slow dance to House of Pain?”
“Of course I do.”
“Good, ’cause I’m using your body to hide my erection,” he joked.
“Oh, then we better stay like this all night.”
They went back to swaying to the music, but Amanda couldn’t help but notice the bouncer when he came back in the door. This time he stopped and nodded in their direction. She watched as Zach excused himself from Evie. As he walked by he didn’t even look at Sam, but he touched him on the shoulder, his cue for Sam to come with him.
“I’ll be right back,” Sam said, letting her go. A knot rose in Amanda’s throat. Two random women getting kicked out of a bar shouldn’t have been a big deal. She was sure a few more liquor enthusiasts might be escorted out before they closed for the night. That didn’t change the fact that Sam and Zach were suddenly involved.
“You want some water?” Evie shouted over the music, clearly trying to distract her.
“Yeah. I’ll come with you.” Amanda followed her over to the bar and waited as Evie ordered some waters from the female bartender. Amanda slipped a few singles into the tip jar and waited.
“This happen a lot?” she asked Evie, trying to match Evie’s calm demeanor. She didn’t seem fazed by this bizarre situation at all.
“I mean more than never. I think someone was trying to take pictures of me.”
“Oh,” Amanda replied. She could feel her expression drop. She hadn’t forgotten how famous Evie was, but this seemed like their hometown spot. Didn’t seem like it was too much to ask to be left alone. “I’m really sorry.”
Evie shrugged. “It comes with the territory. I was just dancing with my man. Now if I was doing lines or something then I might be concerned, but if they just wanted to snap some G-rated content of me at my happiest?” She flashed Amanda a big smile before thanking the bartender for the large plastic cups brimming with ice water in front of them. “But seriously, my therapist would say this falls under ‘things outside of my control.’ Mac handled it. Zach is willing to handle it further if need be and then we’ll get the lawyers involved if it goes that far. I don’t want the night to end, so I say we hydrate, then ask the DJ to play some Janet.”
“Cheers to that.” Amanda took a deep sip, then let out a deep breath. Evie was right. Whatever happened it looked like it was under control now and if Evie could enjoy the rest of the night after having her privacy intruded upon, she could definitely relax and enjoy her night with Sam.
A few moments later he made his way over to the bar. Her skin warmed as his arm slid back around her waist. She turned, just a bit to smile up at him, but her smile faded as soon as she saw the dark look on his face. She moved so she was facing him, putting a hand to his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“They were trying to take pictures of me. Of us.”
Amanda felt her stomach drop. Of course someone would take an interest in Sam’s social life. Depending on whom they sold them to, they could get a nice little chunk of money for those photos. If she was with Sam—Academy Award winner Samuel Pleasant a whole five minutes after his win—she was running the risk of being photographed with him. She was running the risk of Dru finding out what she was really doing this whole time. She’d run the risk of Dru losing her complete shit and trying to burn her life and her relationship down to the ground with it.
The panic started to set in again. Her stomach felt like it was still somewhere near the floor, and now an odd heat was creeping up her neck and wrapping around her ears. Her flight response was lacing up her sneakers. But her greater instinct to not make matters worse waving its own neon flag force
d her to hold still.
Sam was famous and from the looks of things well known by virtue of being a Pleasant long before Oscar nominations had been announced. If fear forced her to walk away now that would be the end for the two of them. She couldn’t keep running and hiding.
Would this end horribly? Yes. How could it not? Zach and the proactive bar staff may have thwarted one asshole’s efforts tonight, but what about the next time? Sam’s career was on the rise and interest in him was only going to grow.
If this was going to end eventually, Amanda refused to be the one to light the fuse. She wanted to enjoy her time with Sam while she still could. She loved the way his fingers felt on her side too much to let fear ruin what could be a perfect Valentine’s Day at this perfectly weird bar.
“We’re good,” Zach said, before he ordered another round for them all.
Sam leaned closer, his eyes scanning her face. She’d made up her mind, but she realized her breathing hadn’t returned to normal. “They’re gone, but we can leave if you want to.”
“No, I—you have more experience with this than I do.” She swallowed. “We can do whatever. You wanna stay and rage, we can stay and rage. The DJ hasn’t played a single slide yet. Cha-cha or electric.”
Sam was quiet for a moment, running his teeth over his bottom lip. Amanda wanted to hug him, then kiss the hell out of him, but she was sure someone else would photograph that. Sam glanced around the room before he took off his cowboy hat and scratched the back of his head. He let out a breath and slid the hat back into place. “Let’s get out of here.”
“’Kay.” They said a quick goodbye to Zach and Evie and waved to Brit and Delfi, who were still fucking shit up on the dance floor.
“Where should we go?” Amanda asked as they pulled out of the dirt parking lot. She wasn’t sure if she’d succeeded in keeping her voice light. She didn’t want to leave the bar and she definitely didn’t want their night to end early just because location number one turned out to be a bust.
If the Boot Fits Page 16