Chapter 10
Penny
The breakfast rush has finally sputtered out, leaving the diner in a blessed lull where we can catch our breath. While the kitchen gears up for the lunch crowd and Ruby, our longest tenured waitress, covers the stragglers, I work on tallying receipts and making notes for the next supply stock.
The bell over the door jingles—the universal welcome sound for all Whynot businesses—and I glance up to greet the next customer with a smile, only to have my insides turn to butterflies when Sam strolls in.
He’s wearing a black T-shirt with a red flannel that looks too good for how ordinary it is—and an expression that says he’s in need of something important.
“Well, look what the wind blew in,” I say, grinning. “You look like a man in need of pie.”
His smile lights up as he heads my way, plopping down on the counter stool closest to the register. One heel propped on a stool leg, the other stretched long to the side, and yeah… his jeans pull nicely against his muscles.
Sam leans a forearm on the counter, mischief flickering across his expression. “You don’t even know my ailment.”
“Don’t need to because pie is a cure-all for everything.” I grab a clean plate and a knife, slice into the apple crumb that many people swear is the reason half this town stays civil and slide it in front of him. “On the house. Doctor’s orders.”
He lifts a brow. “You a doctor now?”
“Of dessert therapy? Board certified.”
I earn a low chuckle and I really do love that sound. It’s representative of the easygoing nature that makes him so appealing.
Sam digs in, making a sound of pure pleasure.
“Did Derek get in okay?” I ask, grabbing a cup and pouring him some coffee.
He nods. “He did and he’s raring to go. We’re going to work at my house until I can get him checked in at Millie’s.”
Sam had told me a little bit about his agent, including a teasing description of a city boy who will most likely scream if a bug lands on him.
“And what was his first impression of Whynot?”
Sam snickers. “He’s blaming the humidity for killing his will to live and he’s offended I didn’t have bottled water in my truck for him.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Poor man. You better get him a fan and a large glass of sweet tea before he withers away.”
“I’ll put it on my list.” He hesitates, fork tapping against the plate. “So, uh… big news. That’s really why I’m here. That Raleigh signing I told you about?”
“Yeah,” I drawl.
“Sold out,” he says, and I can’t tell if he’s excited or terrified. “Three hundred people.”
I gasp so loudly, Ruby’s head snaps my way from clear across the room. I lower my voice and lean closer toward Sam. “That’s incredible! Give your agent a raise.”
He shrugs, but a slow, bashful smile spreads across his face. “Yeah. Derek says it’s the beginning of everything. I think it’s the beginning of a panic attack.”
“Hey.” I lean further across the counter, my elbows resting near his plate. “You’ve got this. You deserve this.”
He finally looks up at me, and for a heartbeat, the world feels small and very still. “You really believe that?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. You’ve worked hard for this. You’re stepping into who you’re meant to be. And if anyone can charm a crowd, it’s you.”
He smirks faintly. “You haven’t seen me try to small talk.”
“I’ve seen you try to flirt,” I tease. “You’ll be fine.”
That gets a real laugh, and it hits me low in my belly.
“So, what’s next after the signing?” I ask, still smiling.
“Eventually, a press tour after my next book comes out at the beginning of July,” he says.
I consider these changes to his life and I’m hit with a swell of sympathy. “Life as you know it will never be the same.”
Sam puts his fork down. “It would be different if I lived somewhere else.”
“How do you mean?”
“Like, from a more metropolitan or progressive area. Like Chapel Hill. I wouldn’t think twice about being a public romance author if I lived there. It’s all so…”
“Liberal minded?” I guess.
He nods with a grim smile. “I went by my parents’ place a bit ago to try to tell them.”
“Try?”
He sighs. “Yeah. I chickened out. Walked in ready to tell them and found my mom baking cookies for her church group. When I asked her the occasion, she said they were getting together to organize a petition to ban a list of books at the library.”
“You’re kidding,” I exclaim.
Sam chuckles. “I wish I were. So I sat there and listened to the degradation of moral values because of these certain works of literature, and I literally couldn’t tell her I write books that she’ll probably want on that list. Grown-ass man, and I can’t even tell my mama what I do for a living.”
The laugh that slips from me is gentle, sympathetic. “You’ll know when it’s right,” I say.
“I’ll have to do it soon after the Raleigh signing because Derek has plans to blast the real S. P. Rochelle all over social media. So I’ve got to get up the courage before then.”
“Sam,” I say quietly, reaching a hand out to cover his.
His gaze remains steady on me, though. “You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished and while some people may not understand it, you can’t let it devalue who you are as a person.
I, for one, am so proud of you and I’ll be your biggest fan.
I’ve already started reading The Shadow Princess, and I am hooked! ”
“You’re reading one of my books?” he asks, clearly awed.
“I’m devouring it,” I clarify. “You’re really talented.”
He meets my eyes, and there’s something grateful there, quiet and deep. “That helps more than you know.”
“Awesome. Now, I have a favor to ask.”
“What’s that?”
“Think you can swing me a ticket to the signing?”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you’d come, but I really didn’t want to take you away from the diner.” He pokes at his pie. “But it would mean a lot to have you there.”
For a second, I just stare, and then I feel it—that spark, new and dizzying as it blooms in my chest. “You know how to make a girl feel special.” I pretend to think it over, tapping my chin. “And I’d love to come. I’ll make it work.”
His smile widens, relief breaking through like sunlight. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I plan on being your loudest cheerleader. Possibly with a poster. You could get embarrassed.”
He groans playfully. “Derek’s going to love that.”
Sam finishes his pie and pushes the plate away, looking more settled than when he came in. “I should head out. I’m putting Derek to work and we’re going to move all my stuff over to the new house.”
I gasp and can feel a huge grin taking over my face. “You’re moving in?”
“Yeah… figured if I’m going all in, I should live in the damn thing.”
“Moving on up. I love it.” I tap on the counter.
Sam stands from the stool and reaches into his back pocket for his wallet.
“Don’t you dare take out money. I told you that was on me.”
He smiles and tucks it away. “That’s fine since tonight’s our dinner date. I suggest you dress fancy for where I’m taking you.”
I clap my hands with excitement, bouncing on my toes. “Dressing fancy can only mean one thing… Clementine’s!”
Sam laughs. “That’s right. First dates should be special, after all.”
“And I have the perfect dress for it.”
“Can’t wait to see it on you,” he says and tips his head to me. He starts to turn away, but then turns back after a consideration. “Oh, I really believe in being prepared for all contingencies and you seem like the sort of woman who appreciates the same.”
“I do enjoy a well-considered plan.” I laugh.
“Good. Just to give you a heads-up, I’m absolutely going to kiss you tonight when I take you home.”
Heat blooms in the center of my chest, and yeah… I even get a little tingly all over. I decide to be honest in return. “That’s good because I was hoping you would.”
His grin turns brighter. “Excellent. See you tonight, Penny.”
“Can’t wait,” I murmur.