Chapter 15
SAM
Exhaustion wrapped around Sam’s body as she placed her laptop on the kitchen table.
She had chosen to stay up late once again, inspired by yet another surge of creative energy.
She was working on a crucial part of the book, as it would set up the tone for everything that followed, so she believed that if she could get it just right, the rest of the story would flow effortlessly.
It had taken a while, but as she read back what she’d written, she felt a sense of satisfaction. It was still only the first draft, so nothing was set in stone, but it was a good start.
Beyond that, however, she was also aware of the fact that there was more at stake than simply capturing readers’ attention. If it failed to impress her publisher, she’d be in trouble with her contract, and she may as well flush everything she’d worked so hard on down the toilet.
“No pressure or anything,” she whispered at the screen with a touch of humor.
As the first trickle of light poured in through her window, Sam squinted at the glare now bouncing off her computer, the tension that had built up in her muscles a palpable reminder of exactly how long she’d spent hunched over the keyboard.
She groggily pulled herself out of the kitchen chair and sauntered over to the coffee pot, desperate for the hit of caffeine.
A short break wouldn’t hurt.
With the weekend now upon her, she had all the time in the world. Freed from the weekly constraints of the administrative tasks she needed to do, she could fully immerse herself in her work with little interruptions.
As the coffee machine hummed to life, Sam gravitated toward the nearest window to open it, letting the gentle cool breeze through. It woke her up, the feeling of drowsiness that had enveloped her disappearing in an instant.
When the machine signaled her coffee was ready with a cheerful ding, she decided to take a few moments to watch the sun rising.
She filled her cup, pouring milk on top to soften the taste until it was at the brim, and headed over to the couch.
She easily nestled herself in, the steam rising from her cup to tickle her face and accompanying the warmth against her palms.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky to distract her from the vibrant hues painting the horizon. It became the perfect canvas, a mixture of pinks, oranges, reds, and yellows blending seamlessly in a pattern only nature could craft.
The natural playlist from her neighborhood drifted in with the breeze, adding to the ambiance.
The steady hum of cars on the street below her continued in waves as the nearby traffic light switched from red to green.
Leaves from the nearby park skittered across the road, accompanied by the thrum of voices as people passed by.
She felt at peace.
The rest of her problems could wait. Even if it was for the briefest of moments, when her mind settled long enough to break free, she wanted to luxuriate in the morning.
Sam was more of a morning person to begin with, so she had grown used to being the first one up on any given day. Her mother had been the same way, often rising before the sun did.
She remembered the mornings when they got up together to watch the sunrise together, usually on the weekends. Her mother would have a cup of coffee in hand and would make Sam a cup of hot chocolate, so she had something warm to drink.
She remembered the quiet. The serenity of something as simple as the sun rising at the start of each day. The warmth of her mother’s smile.
It was rare she thought of such things the older she’d gotten. Life had taken over as she had learned how to navigate it without both of her parents. When she had finally managed to get out from under her aunt, she often would find herself exactly like this—sitting and watching the sunrise.
The mere thought of her aunt in that moment soured her mood slightly, remembering the texts she’d purposefully tried to ignore that she’d gotten the night before.
It only had confirmed that the only reason she’d reached out to her was to get something.
To put in a good word with her publisher for her cousin, Tommy, who apparently saw his cousin’s success and thought he could do it even better.
Sam scoffed at the idea, knowing the kind of work ethic Tommy was capable of. Which, for lack of a better term, sucked. If it were up to Aunt Emily, however, she’d try to convince anyone willing to listen that Tommy was the next great American novelist.
Lost in thought as she mulled over exactly what response she should send to her aunt, if any, a firm knock echoing from the front door ripped her back to reality.
The sound startled her, causing the cup she held to slosh dangerously with the still piping hot liquid inside.
She muttered a curse and set the cup on the coffee table to avoid disaster.
Who on earth could be at her apartment at a time like this?
Sam froze for a moment. Could it be Paul?
After she’d given her statement to the cop the other day, she’d been afraid that he would show up.
She’d hadn’t left the apartment much since, but whenever she did, she double, triple, quadruple checked her locks multiple times through the night, just to be sure.
He hadn’t shown up, thankfully, but the thought was in her head now.
She crept toward the door, making sure to scoop up her phone to have it at the ready as she walked carefully and tried not make any noise. If it was him, she didn’t want him to know she was home.
She knew she should’ve told Charlie beforehand. He was going to…
She peered through the peephole to catch a glimpse of whoever was on the other side, and a sigh of relief rapidly tore from her.
Sam swung the door open, a hint of frustration now tugging at her features, as she glared up at Charlie.
He was smiling, a warmth to it that matched the warmth of the coffee cup she’d put down only moments ago. Without a word, he immediately extended an iced coffee and crumpled brown bag toward her, as if reading her mind.
She accepted the items from him with an eyebrow raised at him suspiciously, her stomach grumbling appreciatively from the enticing smell.
“Do you realize what time it is?” she asked, ushering him inside.
He chuckled as he followed, closing the door behind himself. “Good morning to you, too, babe.”
She ignored the hairs that raised on the back of her neck from hearing him call her that. It had been her idea to start calling each other babe, but it affected her far more than she thought it would.
To distract herself from the fluttering in her chest, she pulled a fresh bagel out of the bag. Her mouth watered at the way the steam rose from it in delightful little tendrils. Fresh out of the oven.
“Your bribery will only get you so far,” she teased, taking a healthy swig from the iced coffee in her other hand and practically moaning in delight. “Is there a special occasion for this visit? I know you’re an early bird, as well, but this is early even by your standards.”
Her gaze shifted over to him as he leaned casually against the kitchen counter, his arms folding across the black shirt that hugged his chest. Noting his ensemble, she raised her eyebrow further at him.
He had a pair of mustard-colored khaki pants on, instantly an odd choice as Charlie almost always wore jeans.
The pair of hiking boots he had on thumped against the floor as he adjusted himself to grin at her, the same pair that he’d gotten a few summers ago when she’d forced him to finally replace the previous ones.
He looked rather… outdoorsy.
It was a look, she noted, that suited him quite a bit.
His five o’clock shadow appeared heavier and more noticeable than it had the other day, the beginnings of a beard Charlie always tried to fight growing in nicely and making his face appear more rugged.
That, combined with the outfit, made him look like he’d fit well in a log cabin by the lake.
His eyes were far too bright for this time of the morning as he chuckled. “Yes, actually. It’s time to get those gears moving. We have plans for today.”
Her eyebrows shot up her forehead. “It’s early on a Saturday. What could we possibly have planned? Was I part of this planning process?”
She’d been so busy working and writing that she had to think for a minute if there was anything that they had planned that she could’ve possibly forgotten about. Nothing came.
“I found a place that I thought would work well for another date, and I took some creative liberties and planned it out. So, hut-hut”—he motioned at her—“get moving.”
She blanched at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“Nope. Now, hurry up. We’re burnin’ daylight,” he instructed, waving her off in the direction of her bedroom once more.
She rubbed her eyes, sleep creeping back in at the edges. “Is this an outdoor activity? I assume so with your boots on.”
“Yep, we’ll be outside. It’s supposed to get warmer later, so hurry and get dressed so we can get on the road.”
“Charlie,” she whined. “It’s early, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for any surprises. Can you just tell me what—”
Before she could process it, he quickly snatched the iced coffee from her hands, holding it at bay from her. “I’m holding this hostage until you get changed. Wear something for warm weather with some tennis shoes or something.”
Sam eyed him, feeling her resolve melting away at the dimples poking out behind the wide smile spread across his face. Damn it, she loved his smile. It was like a weapon when he wanted her to do something.
“Do I need to bring anything?” she finally asked.
Charlie shook his head. “Not really. Maybe some sunglasses and a hat if you feel so inclined?”
“Makeup?”
“Not unless you really want to put it on. We’ll be outside. Now, get!” he ordered, shooing her.