Chapter 18
AVERY
Once I got home, I looked around. My heart was beating insanely fast. Is Sam already here? He said he’d meet me.
"Sam?" I called, but I got no answer.
A huge bouquet of flowers on the kitchen island caught my attention.
He got my favorites—peonies. I practically ran toward the island, burying my nose in them and drawing in a deep breath.
I couldn't believe he remembered these were my favorite flowers, or that he found them at this time of year. They weren't exactly in season.
I was so busy smelling them that I didn't notice he'd left a card for me. I looked at it greedily: Do you want to go out with me? If yes, then turn the card around.
I grinned, doing just that.
Come upstairs on the roof. Wear warm clothes.
Oh my God. He was waiting for me on the roof. I didn't even know we could use it.
I licked my lips, glancing at the card and the flowers and trying to judge if I would freeze my ass off if I went on the roof the way I was dressed.
Yeah, I probably would. I was wearing a very thin sweater and a skirt with sheer tights, which had been fine for working indoors, but it wouldn't do for outside.
I ran toward my room, changing the sheer tights for wool ones.
I also took off my oversized sweater and put on a nice top.
It was definitely more of a summer outfit, but I paired it with an elegant sweater.
I liked layering clothes in winter. Hurrying back to the living room, I put on my coat and a beanie.
I was giddy as I stepped out of the loft and headed up the fire escape.
My heart seemed to thump harder with every step I took on the metal staircase, wondering what Sam was doing up here.
Maybe we were just going to stargaze or something for a bit and then go back down.
Although, he probably wouldn't have told me to dress in warm clothes if that was the case.
When I reached the rooftop, my jaw dropped. He'd arranged an outdoor date, complete with a firepit. "Oh my God, Sam. I can't believe this. A firepit?"
"I know you love it," he said. "And I charmed you that way once, so I thought it might work again.”
I was instantly transported to that night.
It was in our senior year of high school.
We went for a weekend in the mountains with our whole class.
Our cabin had a fireplace, too, and when the others went out skiing, I pretended to be sick, and Sam pretended not to want to ski.
We were seniors and good students, so our teachers felt confident leaving us alone.
They shouldn't have because we did what teenagers do and got down and dirty right in front of the fire.
I grinned at him. "It definitely worked, yes."
He smiled brilliantly, even taking out his phone and playing romantic jazz music. My heart was so full that I was barely keeping myself in check. I felt the need to dance and jump him and kiss him all at once.
"Where did you get the firepit? And how are we even allowed here?"
"The firepit was easy. They’re for sale everywhere, especially at this time of the year. And you're right, we’re not allowed on the roof, but the owner was easily swayed."
I gaped at him. "Easily?"
"I have to say my charm works in unexpected ways."
"Do I want to know? I don't think so."
As I came closer to him, I realized he must have actually brought furniture up here. "Sam, when did you plan all this?"
"I work fast, and I have a lot of Maxwells who jumped at the opportunity to help me."
“Who exactly?"
"Travis gave me the outdoor furniture from the hotel. Kimberly asked me to send her a picture of my firepit and then immediately decided this place needed more romance, so she came over with some blankets. I don't know what she did, but the place definitely looks better since she worked her magic."
I noticed a thermos next to the firepit. "What's in that?" I asked.
"Mulled wine."
There was also a pizza box.
"Oh, we're having dinner here," I said.
"Yeah, babe, we are." He held out a hand for me, and I took it with a bit of trepidation. He squeezed my fingers, pulling me close. "Thank you for accepting my invitation to the date."
"You made a convincing case," I whispered.
It smelled so good, like winter and fire and a hint of his cologne that still remained, though it was very subtle.
“I've been thinking about how to do this for some time now."
"You have?" I murmured.
"Yes."
My nerves got the better of me. I bit my lip, shivering.
"Talk to me, Avery. I know something's holding you back, but I don't know what."
"It's just that… you’re freshly out of a relationship."
He blinked, pulling back, looking absolutely stunned. "Right. Yeah."
"And you moved here for her."
"I'm not following."
"I don't want to be your rebound, Sam."
His eyes widened. He leaned into me again, putting a hand on the side of my face and sliding two fingers under my beanie. "Avery, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the opposite is true. Since meeting you again, I realized everyone since you has been a rebound."
My breath caught. "Sam, do you mean it?"
"Yes. Fuck yes, I mean it."
He kissed me, gently and hungrily at the same time, biting my lower lip lightly. I moaned against his mouth, melting in his arms. I was suddenly so warm that I felt the need to take off my coat, maybe even my clothes and underwear if the night continued this way.
He groaned, pulling back. "Come on, let’s enjoy this fire and our food."
We sat down on the pillows, and I realized the blankets were actually a good idea because I suddenly felt chilled without Sam warming me up. He took the thermos, pouring mulled wine in two cups. I grabbed the pizza box, opening it and grinning at him.
"This is the best date ever."
"Fuck, you're cute."
I looked up at him and was surprised at the warmth in his eyes.
"What?" I asked.
"I like seeing you happy."
My stomach somersaulted. I took a huge bite of pizza.
I wasn’t hungry, but I wanted to enjoy everything about this evening—the man, the food, the wine, and the fire.
I loved that we had a fire. It warmed me up on the inside that he'd wanted to recreate that evening from our past. He'd gotten the details right. We'd ordered pizza that night, too, although this one was a lot better. And we snuck some mulled wine over from the main cabin. Minors weren’t allowed to drink, of course, but Sam had been very convincing even back then. Since neither of us was of drinking age, we’d gotten tipsy pretty fast. I was sure that wouldn't be the case this time.
"I can't believe this needed the Maxwell team effort."
"Hey, I had the idea, just not the skills to execute it. And I needed everything to be perfect for you."
Sam
I was proud of this evening. My family was going to tease me about getting their help for a long time to come.
But one thing I learned during my work in Doctors Without Borders was that group efforts were almost always better than doing it all alone, and I needed everything to be perfect. I wanted this woman.
Fuck, how I wanted her.
I knew this with utmost certainty, even though so many other things in our lives were up in the air.
We ate the pizza quickly but took our time with the mulled wine. Avery shivered a bit.
"Want me to find another blanket?" I asked.
"No, but I wouldn't mind some body heat." She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Hey, I'm trying to be romantic here, not maul you before you’ve even finished your wine."
"Maul away, Maxwell. I don't mind."
I undid my jacket, and she did the same. She had a sweater underneath. I moved closer until our sides were touching, then placed my arm around her shoulders to keep her warm. The rooftop was encircled by tall glass panels, so it was windproof, but I didn't want to risk her being uncomfortable.
She looked at the fire and sighed. And then I realized she had one hand under my shirt.
I grinned. "Avery."
"Yes?" she murmured.
"Behave."
"I don't think so."
Well, fuck me. I instantly turned hard.
Tipping her head up, I kissed her, then completely forgot that I’d planned for us to stay on the rooftop the whole evening. I couldn't think past how much I wanted to explore her body.
And when she moaned against my mouth, tugging at my shirt, I knew she was right there with me.