Chapter 14
Sam
AJ had started putting herself back together, and I couldn’t help but to make her fall apart again. It didn’t help that she was teasing the hell out of me, showing me all the parts of her I hadn’t seen in the dark of the truck the night before.
Unfortunately, she was back in a suit with every hair in place, and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. She had a plane to catch, and we were almost there.
Once she had her clothes back on, she pulled a stack of papers from her suitcase that her eyes were frantically scanning.
Her mouth was moving along with the words, and her hands made random gestures.
Our little road trip was almost over, and she was back to the business AJ I had met at the airport—the one who only gave me the time of day as a means to an end.
I didn’t want this to be a one-night stand, or some weird trauma bond created during shit weather.
She’d teased me until I put my hands on her just minutes ago.
Surely that meant something. I should have just opened my mouth and asked the question.
I should have handed her my phone and asked her to put her number into it.
I didn’t do either one. I was pretty sure I was just a detour from her busy schedule, and I wasn’t quite ready to get rid of that last little bit of hope that I was more.
My attention was taken up by the crazy morning traffic as we got into the city, and too soon, I was pulling into the departure entrance of the Vancouver International Airport.
Taxis fought each other for position to drop off a seemingly endless supply of busy people.
I lucked out finding two parallel parking stalls next to each other and awkwardly nosed the rig into the spot.
I should have switched the rig out for my pickup when I was at the shop, but I had been worried I would need to pull someone out of the ditch on the way.
Besides, if I’d had my truck, there wouldn’t have been a bed in the back seat.
AJ’s attention was on her stack of notes, but she glanced up when I put the rig into park. “We made it?”
I nodded.
She was collecting her things and reaching for the door handle, but I felt frozen in my seat.
She opened her door and jumped easily down to the curb. She had gotten comfortable with my oversized truck in the last day. It was raining lightly outside, as it always was in Vancouver. Overcast and gray and so different from the weather just an hour in the opposite direction.
She had her suitcase on the sidewalk. My time was running out.
I stared at my hands on the wheel as I started to speak.
“AJ, look, I know your life is in Kamloops. I know you have a demanding career, and you wear fancy suits and everything.” If I was trying not to sound like a bumpkin, I was failing epically, but I continued.
“If you have room in your life for a little distraction, I’d really like to see you again.
Maybe have a real date. I promise I won’t tackle you into a snowbank this time. ”
Silence.
I turned in her direction to see her back was to me. She hadn’t heard me. I had a rare chance. I could take back what I’d said and save my dignity, or give it one more try.
Fuck it.
I jumped down from the truck and came around the front end until I was standing in front of her. Her eyes were on her notes.
“AJ?”
She jerked her head up. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
I searched her face for a moment. She had answered my question without saying a word.
There was no room for me in her life. Especially because I came with a business of my own and two kids who depended on me like a parent.
The familiar ache in my chest deepened. “You better get going. Wouldn’t want to come all this way and watch the plane take off without you.
” I tucked my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching for her.
“Sam, I really can’t thank you enough for getting me here. For everything, I mean.”
I nodded. A horn honked behind us, and I glanced over my shoulder. Our time was up. The world didn’t stop turning just because I wanted to stay in a moment.
“If I ever need a ride again, can I give you a call?” Her smile was warm, but the words cut deep.
I searched her eyes, there was a swirls of green and gold mixed with the hazel, that I hadn’t noticed before. I thought I saw some feeling there, but at my age and in my life, a little something just wasn’t enough. Still, I’d never turn her down if she needed help. “Any time.”
“Oh, I should give you this.” She started rummaging in her purse.
My heart lifted for a fraction.
She pulled a small card from her purse and handed it to me. “Can you bill this address for the ride?”
Jeez, if I didn’t get the point before, she really hammered it home now. I took the card and shoved it in my pocket. No Nonsense Business AJ was back, and I had to get back to Safety Sam. “Take care of yourself, AJ.” No hug goodbye. No kiss. Not even a handshake.
She smiled and started gathering her things. By the time I was back in the driver’s seat, she was in the airport and out of sight.
My heart was heavy, and my body was tired. I needed a coffee. I needed food. I wanted a shower, a nap, and a big hug from Emma and Oliver. Nothing had changed in my life, but God, it sure felt like it had.