“What did he say to you?”

Lisa grimaces, her eyes pleading with me to let it go.

“I need to know,” I say sternly.

“Okay, fantastic.” She sighs. “I laid into him fairly laborious, telling him about how harm you had been and what an asshole he was. I didn’t inform him why. I stated you had been upset and he wanted to go away you alone.”

“So, how did he persuade you in any other case?”

“Oh, Brynn. He had the very best reply.” A wry smile crosses her lips. “He stated he wanted to understand how he fucked up, and would spend so long as it took to repair it as a result of he couldn’t avoid you even when his life relied on it.”

My eyelids peel again, my coronary heart stuttering “What?” That may’t be proper. Or on the very least, it could possibly’t imply what Lisa thinks it means. I’m positive it’s nothing greater than a bodily pull.

“Mhm.” Lisa nods. “Now, I’m not a hundred-percent positive, however I’d say that boy has it unhealthy for you.”

I scoff, waving her off. “That’s the place you’re mistaken. He friend-zoned me, keep in mind?”

“I guess you’re flawed,” she says melodically.

I shift in my seat, folding my arms.

“And all this back-and-forth with him, the hating and never hating, the fuck-buddy factor, it makes me suppose you’ve obtained it simply as unhealthy.”

My toes faucet the floorboard as I keep away from eye contact with Lisa.

“I’ve by no means seen you happier than whenever you’ve been with Sam. I imply, positive, you two went via a tough patch for a bit, however I’ve seen a lot extra of the actual Brynn since Sam’s come round. Particularly after you began sleeping collectively.”

I set free an ethereal chuckle and switch my appreciative gaze on her. “I’ve felt extra like me currently.”

“See? I guess Sam has had so much to do with that.” She pats my leg. “And I do know you suppose he’s only a good lay, however I believe you’d be doing your self a disservice by shutting the door on him utterly.”

I sigh. “He locked it, although. How am I alleged to open it now?”

“When you go into this dinner with a recent outlook, he would possibly flip the important thing. Issues between you and Sam have gone from nice, to unhealthy, to horrible, and again once more. You’re in a great spot with him, don’t let that go to waste.”

Sucking in an enormous breath, I nod.

“Now, get in there and have enjoyable, however name me in case you want rescuing.”

“Thanks, I’ll.” I hug her earlier than exiting the automobile to take the toughest steps of my life.

As I close to the doorway, the door opens, and Sam waltzes exterior to carry it for me. I take a second to drink him in. His maroon button-down shirt and black slacks make him such a special model of himself. He’s smooth, refined, and never like the same old laid-back, informal Sam I do know. It’s attractive, to say the least.

“After you,” he says, bowing barely.

I roll my eyes, however smile. “Thanks, sir.”

As soon as I cross the brink, I’m reminded of why I like this little restaurant. The entryway is lit with white Christmas lights dangling from the ceiling, and their reflections within the shiny flooring tile makes it seem to be I’m strolling on stars. There’s at all times tender music taking part in. Largely instrumental Italian music, however a couple of crooners like Dean Martin work their method in too. The delectable aromas filling the air full the whole impact. It’s like being transported throughout the ocean inside a couple of seconds.

“You look good,” Sam whispers subsequent to my ear as he slides off my coat.

I shudder at his heat breath on my neck. As I flip to thank him for the praise, I discover him raking over my size solely to pause on the scooped neckline of my costume. My coronary heart races.

I tug on the slinky, emerald-colored material. “Thanks.” Operating my hand over my capped sleeve, I inwardly shrink. “We didn’t speak about dinner apparel, so I’m glad you and I are on the identical web page.” I float my hand up and down, motioning to him. “You clear up properly.”

He leans in to whisper, “I’d say you may have me beat.” When he pulls away, he lastly appears me within the eyes, and I can see his smoldering.

I swallow. “I’ll take that victory,” I say as confidently as I can earlier than turning to the host. “Hello, desk for 2?”

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