7. Stan
Chapter seven
Stan
Samantha stares at the door for what seems like an eternity. Her parents are back in town, and it makes sense that she’d want to see them. So I’m not sure why she’s just standing there. Seems more like her to just barge in and announce herself.
I reach out to squeeze her shoulder, but then and I force my hand back, reminding myself that I’m her boss. Not her boyfriend.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore that something is off with her. I just can’t figure out what. She’s herself, but skittish. At least this morning, my eating an ancient protein bar made her laugh. That was worth it, even if I still can’t get the taste of stale oats out of my mouth.
“Look, I have homework to do,” Ruth says impatiently to Sam. “If you aren’t going to knock, I will.”
I don’t know what Ruth’s doing here. Heck, I don’t even know what I’m doing here. I think back to how we even got here. It happened so fast, I agreed to it before realizing what I was even doing.
“My parents are coming back to Rose Haven. Their vacation is over,” Sam reports after returning Ruth home.
“Oh,” I reply. “That’s… good?”
I’m not sure if I chose the right response, but judging by the pained look on Sam’s face, I guess I was wrong.
I suddenly remember that the one thing Lucas and Sam have in common is that they both hate looking like failures. Lucas constantly brags about Samantha, talking about how she’s the brains that made it in the city. I’m sure that’s how her parents see her, too. But if she’s approaching me for a job, there’s clearly a lot going on in her life that she isn’t telling me. Enough to make her feel like she’s failing her parents’ expectations.
“I’m going with her to see them,” Ruth announces.
Sam doesn’t say anything in reply, so both of them have apparently already reached a decision.
“Well, good luck,” I say.
Yet, here I am. My excuse is that I haven’t seen her parents in a while and need to keep a close eye on Ruth. Sam hasn’t asked why I’m here, so that’s good.
Sam rings the doorbell, her hand shaking a little. “They’re probably asleep. Jet-lagged and all.”
It’s past 5 p.m. Knowing her father, I’m pretty sure he’s awake.
The door opens, and I’m met with the man himself.
“Sammie?” Andrew Knight’s voice carries a lilt of happiness, but his brows are knit in confusion. Then he looks at me, looking even more confused. “Stan’s here, too?” Then he lowers his gaze and settles on Ruth. “Hello.”
“Hey, Gramps. Got cookies?” Ruth asks, like she’s always known the man.
The balls on this kid. She has no idea who Andrew Knight is. This man served in the military and commanded a formidable squad. They say he can strike down enemies with just a glare.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Andrew says with a grin. “Stan had a kid.”
I’m reminded once again that Ruth is the spitting image of me.
“I have cookies,” he tells Ruth, “but first.” He pauses to embrace his daughter. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Dad.” But Sam’s voice hitches, one she quickly covers up by clearing her throat and adding another “I’m good” before pulling away.
“Your mother’s making dinner. Come in, all of you,” Andrew says as he retreats into the house .
We follow him inside. Ruth takes in her surroundings, and I can’t resist joining in. The Knights’ new home resembles a large concrete box, completely modern from top to bottom. Except their furniture. They relocated their old stuff straight into their new place. You’d think the old, vintage items would clash with the modern, stainless-steel appliances and slate-gray walls, yet there’s a certain eclectic charm to the place. I don’t think it’s intentional, but it’s there all the same.
The furnishings have character. Each cushion on the floral-print couch sags slightly in the middle. The coffee table has a glass slab on top of an ornate wrought-iron base. Beneath it, the Persian rug exudes a relaxed vibe, its white base accented with pink, blue, and a minty green. Even the bookcases have a sort of cottage style to them. I love it.
“Sammie?” Violet Knight calls as she enters the living room, then races to embrace her daughter. “What are you doing here? It’s not summer. Or even the weekend.”
“I…” Sam chokes out, finding it hard to say anything.
“The Holt boy is here with his kid,” Andrew tells his wife, rescuing his daughter. Now I’m starting to see why coming here was a good idea.
“The Stan Holt? Movie Boy?” Violet laughs. “My word, you’re a giant.”
She pinches my cheek like I’m still that angsty teenage boy. Then she turns to Ruth. “Hello there, little one. My goodness, you look just like him.”
“It scares me that I won’t be able to get a boyfriend with this face,” Ruth says, sighing dramatically.
Violet bursts into laughter. “You even have his mouth! Oh, I can’t wait to tell my sister.”
By sister, she means Lucas’s mom just up the street. Ruth already met her while I prepared to get Ruth’s kinship sorted.
“I have cookies and milk, and dinner is almost ready. It’s spaghetti and meatballs,” Violet announces. “Your dad made the cookies so you know they’re good.”
Andrew bakes? I exchange glances with the old man. His glare makes me hold back whatever snippy remark I was about to make .
As we’re served the cookies and milk, we don’t say anything at first. Samantha hasn’t said anything yet, and she’s still on edge. Judging by the look on her father’s face, he’s already figured it out. All that’s left is…
“So how long are you staying in Rose Haven?” Andrew asks.
Sam’s voice almost cracks, but she holds her emotions in. “I don’t know how long.”
“Did something happen in the city?” Violet asks softly. “If you’re here too long, wouldn’t it affect your job?”
Sam’s grip on her cup of milk tightens. “I… I… I lost my job.”
“Oh, I see,” Violet says. “Then it’s okay to take a break and reassess. Your boyfriend…?” Her mother pauses and glances my way.
“No, we’re still together,” Sam says, and I can feel her father’s gaze on me. I can’t help wincing as I’m reminded that this woman, who I still clearly have feelings for, is in a relationship.
I bring my own cup of milk to my lips and start drinking.
“Stan and you aren’t dating?” Andrew asks.
I nearly choke on my milk as I cough violently.
“Dad! No!” Sam shakes her head vigorously.
“Andrew,” Violet reprimands.
“What? She rarely visits with the other guy and now shows up with Stan and his lovely daughter.”
“Keep it up, and you’ll be on my favorite grandpa list,” Ruth says, and Andrew’s face breaks into a huge smile. Oh no. He likes her.
“Dad, first of all, Stan is Lucas’s best friend. And secondly… I work for him now,” Sam says, although her face is still as red as a tomato.
“You hired her? To do what?” Violet turns to me.
“Yeah, I’ve been running things solo,” I answer. “But now that I’m planning on going bigger, I need someone with the brains to help, and Samantha’s the right fit.” I smile at Sam. “She couldn’t have come at a better time for me.”
Sam’s staring at me with her mouth agape .
“Well, she does have an MBA,” Andrew boasts on her behalf. “Coupled with a good head on her shoulders. I’d say you’re in good hands.”
Sam finally relaxes. I guess she expected disappointment from her parents, but she must have forgotten how supportive her family is. They would never beat her down.
“But what about when she returns to Chicago?” Violet asks.
My stomach drops hard and fast. She has a life in Chicago. A boyfriend. I know she’s not going to stay in Rose Haven for long. I also don’t like to think about that. I’ll never admit it to anyone, but I like having her so close again.
I haven’t seen her in a decade and change. I don’t want to think about what it might do to me now if she leaves.
“I’m sure she could work remotely.” I force a smile, then glance at Sam before adding, “If that’s what she wants.”
I’m in Lucas’s lake, swimming to clear my head and cool off after a long day. Then I hear Sam’s voice.
“You aren’t going to turn into a fish anytime soon. Much to my dismay.”
“What are you doing here?” I groan as I float on my back.
“Better question, what are you doing in my cousin’s lake?” she asks as she takes a seat on the dock.
“It’s my lake, too,” I shoot back.
“No, it’s not.”
“It is.”
“Is not.”
“Is too.”
“I’m not going to play this childish game with you,” she says, then adds, “Is not… times infinity!”
“Tch.” I suck my teeth and close my eyes, hoping she’ll disappear or something .
“Out of my water, Movie Boy. It’s past 8 p.m., and if you get hypothermia, it might affect my salary.”
“Just say you care about me,” I say as I swim to the dock and pull myself onto it. The water trickles down my body, and my trunks cling too tightly, thanks to the water. I can feel Sam’s gaze on my body, especially on my ass and bulge.
I turn to face her. “Take a picture, it lasts longer.”
“Shut up.” She fixes her gaze on the water.
I grin, then grab my towel and sit down at a safe distance from her.
“Closer, but not too close,” she says, motioning for me to approach her. “I can’t have you too far.”
“Just tell me you want me,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes. “In your dreams.”
I take her offer and move closer to her. We’re quiet, and yet I don’t mind.
“How’s Ruth?” Sam asks.
“Asleep,” I answer. “I tried to help her with her homework, but she locked me out of her room.” I can’t help but sigh. “I don’t know if I have this dad thing sorted out.”
“She had a dad once, right? He may have not been biological, but trust me, I don’t think she wants you to be a dad right now,” she says. “Be her friend first.”
I don’t say anything, because I know she’s right.
“Time sure has passed,” she says after another stretch of silence. “To think the boys I ran wild as a kid would become fathers.”
“From playing in the local lake and getting into trouble to making sure our kids don’t get into trouble,” I say.
The memories come flooding back. Those summer nights filled with laughter and fireworks, fishing and grilling. Though I’m yet to settle down, I’m about to expand my business… and I’m a father now.
The thoughts make me feel down. What if taking Ruth in was a bad idea? I know I don’t have to be a real father to her yet, but still. What if I fail?
What if…
A sharp pain to my forehead breaks my thoughts. I turn, only to see that Sam just flicked me with her finger.
“What was that for?” I frown .
“You were spacing out. Also, that was revenge for what you did the other day,” she says with a proud smirk on her face.
I try to flick her back, but she grabs my arm. “I don’t think so, Movie Boy.” She grins victoriously.
Unfortunately for her, she doesn’t take my other hand into account. So I flick her thigh with it.
“Ouch! You jerkface!” She flicks my thigh with her free hand as well.
I continue to flick her, and she follows suit until we’re both laughing. We stop the flicking and try to settle down, but knowing her, she’s planning a surprise attack. She lunges at me again, but I move away and grab her hand. She staggers back, and her other hand comes in contact with my chest through the opening of my robe.
The laughter stops.
Her hand feels small against my chest, and her eyes focus on it before her eyes dart to mine. I watch her closely as her lips open and she gives my chest a soft squeeze. She exhales, deeply in sync with me. It’s a dangerous moment, and I can feel myself drawn to her face, her lips.
“There’s a guesthouse for a reason,” Lucas’s voice interrupts, sounding like he’s just stumbled upon two necking teenagers. We instantly separate from each other like we’ve been caught doing something bad.
I turn to see Lucas and Selena, who’s holding onto his arm. “Don’t mind us,” Selena says, raising her free hand with a warm smile.
“Fuck,” Sam mutters, and then she shouts, “Get off me, Movie Boy!” before pushing me in the water.
When I surface, I hear Lucas and Selena laughing at my predicament. Giving in, I let myself float on the water’s surface once more.