Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Sam’s back hit the shop door hard , the bell ringing above it loudly. Taylor smiled through their kiss, Sam’s hands threading through her messy brown locks. She was driving her insane and she wanted more . She kissed her harder, but it still didn’t feel like enough. Taylor moved to her neck, slowly kissing her way down. A soft hand snuck under her shirt, playing over her sensitive skin, slowly moving up in a trail of heat—the bell above the door rang again. That’s weird. She tried to ignore it, focusing on Taylor’s movements, but it just wouldn’t stop…
Oh fuck .
Sam reached out and shut off her alarm on the phone. She clutched it to her chest, still breathing heavily, blinking rapidly to take in her surroundings. Her bedroom. Last night’s clothes still thrown all over her chair in the corner. Not at the shop. No Taylor. The ache between her legs though… yeah, that was very much not a dream.
Jesus Christ. Sam had never had a dream like that before. One so graphic. So heated. So real .
She’d never even thought about girls in that way. She was straight. Well, she thought she was straight. Sure, she’d never been in a serious relationship, but she’d been with guys before and it was good. Nice even. No complaints. But this? This was a dream.
But it felt like something else entirely.
Maybe it was from their conversation on the boat about Taylor’s sexuality? Then she thought back to last night. The touches she couldn’t explain, couldn’t stop. The first brush had been an accident, the electric response she’d felt catching her so completely off guard, she’d had to chase it. And she was so glad she did. When Taylor had started touching her back, it was like her neurons started firing everywhere, goosebumps erupting all over her body. All at the simple touch of her hand.
A thrum rang through her at the memory, making her thighs clench together. She didn’t usually have that reaction around her friends like Alex, and she hugged or touched her all the time. She glanced at her phone; there was no more time to analyse. She had to get ready and open up.
“Hello, ya grumpy old bastard.”
Larry came around the counter and put his arm around Sam, a taller, younger man in tow behind him.
“Hey, lil’ girl. How ya been, Sam-I-Am?”
She threw him a dirty look.
“Samwise Gamgee?” he tried next.
“Oh,” he snapped his fingers. “Sammalammadingdong.”
She shook her head in exasperation, a smile breaking out no matter how hard she tried to look annoyed.
“You do not like them green eggs and Sam ?”
“Oh my god, stop it,” she said, shrugging out from under him and slapping him on the arm.
His shoulders shook with silent laughter, the younger guy watching on in amusement as he tried to hold in his own chuckle.
“What can I help you both with this morning, gentlemen?”
“Sorry, how rude of me. I got too caught up antagonising this beautiful young lady. What’s your name again? Just Sam?” Larry deadpanned.
“Perfect.”
“Just Sam, my wonderful grandson Jason is down helping me on the boat this weekend. Jason, I’d love for you to meet Just Sam,”—she shook her head at his antics—“she steers the ship here at Garner Marine, and she and her old man have helped me out countless times over the years.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Just Sam ,” Jason said, smirking at his grandfather. She finally took him in then. He was all broad shoulders, tight top—he definitely worked out—white smile and dazzling blue eyes with ridiculously long lashes. His short dark hair fell over his eyes as he reached over the counter.
She took his hand and shook it. It wasn’t as soft as Taylor’s. So not what you should be thinking about right now.
“Nice to meet you too, Jason.” They shared a smile, and she couldn’t help but notice a friendliness to him, or maybe that was because of the touch of resemblance to his grandfather.
“Call me Jase.”
As they spoke, Larry edged his way back around the counter. “I’ll be in the second hand section looking at the…uh…anchors.”
Jase leaned over the counter conspiratorially, Sam’s eyebrow raised as she followed suit.
“I think Pops wants to not-so-subtly set us up,” he said in a playful whisper.
“Ah.” It all made sense now. He didn’t usually bring anyone into the shop except Dave.
“So… help me out and let me take you to brunch tomorrow morning? Wouldn’t want to disappoint the old fella.” He gave her a genuine, if not slightly pleading, smile.
Her thoughts went straight to Taylor again. After last night, things definitely felt… well, different between them. When they’d been alone in the car on the way home, she couldn’t get the words out to talk about it, even if she’d tried. Thinking back to her reactions to Taylor’s touches again had the heat creeping up her neck just at the thought. Then she remembered she’d been asked a question. She cleared her throat.
“You don’t beat around the bush.” She looked towards the back of the shop and exhaled slowly. “I guess a coffee couldn’t hurt.”
“Great, thank you.” He rapped his hands on the counter. “How about nine thirty at the café by the marina?”
“Sounds good to me. I do like their toasties.”
Larry chose that moment to come back, hands full with an assortment of screws he dumped into the scales bucket.
“What are those for?” Jase peered into the container.
“You’re helping me put the new rail on.”
“I thought we were installing the mini dishwasher you just bought?”
“Oh, that too. Don’t worry,” he said, patting Jase on the shoulder. “There’s always plenty to do on the boat.”
“Damn straight,” Sam agreed, putting the sale through. “Keeps us in business.” She winked.
“Speaking of, has Taylor been in to order everything for my service?”
She walked over to the computer and pulled up their order tracker. “Let me see.”
She found Taylor’s order and saw the delivery had come in on Friday afternoon.
“Yep, all on schedule. I’ll let Taylor know it’s all in so you can get the boat back out soon for another trip.”
“Excellent, thanks Sam-I-Am. Until next time.” With a quick nod and a wave, he was out of the door, with Jase hurrying to keep up behind him.
“See you tomorrow morning!” He flashed her a quick grin before the door shut behind them both. What had she just signed herself up for? She shot off a quick text to Alex to fill her in, then called Taylor.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” Suddenly shy, she almost forgot why she was calling in the first place.
“What’s up?”
“Right! Yes. Quick courtesy call to let you know Larry’s parts are ready for pick up.”
“Oh.” Was that slight disappointment in her tone? “Cool, thanks for letting me know. I’ll be in on Monday,” she replied.
“Totally fine.” Her phone vibrated against her ear. “Oop, hang on a tic.”
Alex 10:48am: Tell me everything! Also, mini-golf Tues night? Will is keen.
“Timing! My friend Alex just messaged. While I’ve got you, would you be free for that mini-golf session I mentioned Tuesday night?”
“Very keen. If you’re as competitive as you were at board games, I can’t wait to see what you’re like at mini-golf.”
“Oh, I’m the kinda girl who’ll either hit a hole in one or smack it so far off course I’ll DNF.”
“At least that keeps it interesting.”
“True. And speaking of interesting, your favourite client, Larry, just came in and thought he’d try and set me up with his grandson.” She laughed, but it felt strained. She felt like she had to tell Taylor for some reason. “It was so random. He’s taking me out to brunch tomorrow. Not sure I’d class it as a date?—”
“Right, cool,” Taylor cut her off. “Well, all the best for tomorrow, and I’ll let you know about Tuesday. I’m just in the middle of something, so talk later!”
Sam stared at the screen. “Bye?” she said to the empty shop. Taylor had said she was keen for golf, and the next minute she’s going to let her know? If Sam didn’t know any better, she’d say Taylor was acting jealous. But that was crazy, right?
Sunday morning, the outdoor café was bustling with their regulars, dogs barking and tails wagging as they hoped for any morsels to end up on the ground. Kids chased each other across the expansive grass, half-drunk babycinos left with their onlooking parents. Sam sat watching everything with interest, enjoying being the first to arrive and having a little bit of control on an otherwise very spontaneous morning for her.
She looked up to see a flash of short brown hair heading inside to order. Was Taylor here? Her stomach swooped at the thought. She craned her neck towards the doorway as a toddler ran in, yelling behind the woman. She whirled around and picked them up, finally giving Sam a glimpse of her face.
Not Taylor.
She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t disappointed by that fact. Why was she so obsessed with her anyway?
Jason chose that moment to pop around the corner. He smiled with a quick wave and dropped himself into the chair opposite Sam.
“Ahhh, what a nice morning,” he said, looking out at the grass. “Thanks again for meeting me. For all we know, Pops is probably behind that bush over there, making sure this all goes along with his genius plan.”
She laughed. It was nice to meet someone new who seemed so warm and outgoing.
“I wouldn’t put it past him. Or Dave,” she replied.
“Oh god, I’m learning very quickly that those two are bad news!”
“A total nightmare!” Sam’s eyes flashed with amusement.
“So I hear Larry’s known you since you were little?”
“I’ve always been around the shop, in my parents’ footsteps. I’m surprised we haven’t met sooner.”
“Oh, my parents are horrible; they don’t really speak to the rest of the family,” he winced. “That, and I grew up interstate. I only recently moved here for a new job.”
“Ah, that explains a lot. Sorry about the parental situation.”
He just shrugged at that, but looked a little uncomfortable. “It is what it is. I’m just glad to have more distance between them, really. Now, coffee? Anything to eat?”
“Flat white and a ham and cheese toastie, please. Thanks.”
“Perfect, I’ll get the same.” He drummed his knuckles on the table—a habit, it seemed—as he stood up to order. She watched him walk off. He was cute; anyone in their right mind could see how attractive he was. No other feelings, though; her stomach was quiet, merely growling at the thought of toasties rather than the person dining with her. Interesting .
“Done.” Jase placed their order number on the table as he sat.
“Thanks.” They both looked out to the view again. Sam wasn’t really sure where to start with the conversation. What did people even talk about on a first date these days? It had been a while. Jason thankfully took the lead, clearing his throat.
“So, uhh, I have to be completely honest with you.” He seemed nervous now; she gave him a quizzical look.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“I’m gay.”
“Oh.” She paused, momentarily stunned. “Then why?—”
“Pops,” he said quickly, by way of explanation. “He doesn’t know. I was going to play along with his game, have a nice morning with you and leave it at that, yadda yadda, but… I can’t do it.”
She nodded along. “Well, I’m glad you told me. I’m relieved, actually.”
“Yeah?” He looked up, surprised.
She laughed, squinting one eye. “I kind of went along with it too? I think I get more friend vibes from us than anything else.”
He relaxed at that, blowing out a breath. “Me too. So, friends then?” He held out his hand. She laughed and shook it.
“Friends.”
“Phew.” They shared a smile, the instant relief visible.
“So, can I ask why you haven’t told Larry?”
He looked at her seriously then. “Like I hinted at before, my family hasn’t been the best, and they definitely didn’t want to know about… my lifestyle choices… once I told them.”
Her brow furrowed. “Wow. That’s a low blow. I still don’t understand how any parent could do that to their own kid. Larry on the other hand,”—she tapped a finger against her chin—“I can’t say for sure, but I feel like he’d be one of the good ones. Have you thought about telling him?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “We can also just talk about the weather if you prefer?” she said, offering him an out.
“No, no,” he looked up to the sky as if waiting for the answers to rain down on him. “Of course I have. I just feel like he’s the only family I’ve got right now, and he’s only recently become a bigger part of my life.” He focused back on her, almost searching for the answers she wasn’t sure she had.
“And you don’t want to lose that,” she offered, nodding along.
“No,” he said quietly.
“Well, maybe one way about it could be to test the waters, so to speak. Talk about the topic in some way unrelated to you, and gauge his reaction. It might give you the confidence you’re looking for to have that conversation together, and with any luck, bring you both even closer.”
“That’s actually not a bad idea.”
“All I know is bottling these things up only hurts you further. Trust me.”
“Okay, oh wise one,” he said with a smirk as the café owner appeared with their coffees and toasties.
“Thanks.” They said in unison.
“Right, time for some brighter ‘first date’ topics,” she air-quoted, grinning.
Jase just shook his head with a smile.