Chapter 21

The week dragged on without any sign of Sam. Josie was hoping she might bump into him, but she had no such luck. Jack called twice, just for a chat. That was more than he’d called her when they were together. He seemed genuinely concerned about their friendship, and Josie was glad they could stay in touch.

By Friday, she was desperate to see Sam. Spending time with him without feeling guilty about her feelings for him was a thrilling prospect.

She didn’t see him when she first walked into the pub, but when she sat with Amber and Tara, she scanned the room again and saw him by the pool table. He flashed his lovely smile in her direction.

“Did you just get butterflies?” Amber said. Apparently Amber had caught her looking at Sam, though she’d been deep in conversation with Tara.

“What?” Josie said, innocently.

“You did, didn’t you? When he smiled at you, you got butterflies?”

Josie didn’t answer but felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She turned her attention back to the girls. “So James said what?” she asked Tara, hoping to redirect the conversation back to her.

Tara shook her head. “Let’s talk about Sam. Have you got a plan?”

Josie shook her head.

“It’s simple,” Amber said. “Walk home with him again tonight. Tell him you split up with Jack. And then kiss him.”

“It’s a great plan!” Tara agreed.

Josie’s face lit up at the thought of it. “Maybe.” She searched him out once again, then looked away quickly. He was playing pool and laughing. Her stomach really did go all fluttery every time she saw him. In the last few weeks, Sam had taken over her every thought, and now she could hardly keep her eyes off him.

She steered the conversation away from herself and then tried very hard to focus on conversations with Tara and Amber, but the glances she and Sam exchanged across the crowded room became more frequent and more meaningful.

She’d moved to the bar to get more drinks when he sidled up beside her with a silly grin on his face. 

Her face twitched into a similar expression. “Hello.”

“Having fun?”

“Always,” she said, her eyes flirting with him.

Andy appeared and broke the tension between them. “What can I get you, Josie?”

She ordered drinks for herself and the girls, and with a glance at Sam’s empty glass, ordered him a pint too.

“I’ll get them,” he said, when she reached for her purse.

“Thank you.” She turned and smiled at him. “How was your week?”

“Okay,” he said. “Nothing special.” He leaned an elbow on the bar but the casual gesture was somehow awkward. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I had a drink with Max on Wednesday. He told me you’d split up with Jack?”

So he already knew. “Yeah.”

“Sorry.”

She shrugged. “It’s not really a big deal.” Her smile was forced. “Apparently most long-distance relationships don’t work out so it wasn’t a big surprise …” She’d meant to sound jokey but her tone missed its mark. She was nervous and uncomfortable.

Sam shifted his weight, standing up straighter. “I wasn’t going to say I told you so or anything.”

“I know,” she said gently.

“And you’re okay about it?”

“Yes.” She brightened and he smiled warmly. “And I still disagree with your view on long-distance relationships …”

“Really?” he said, amused. “Even though you just proved me right?!”

“All I proved is that you have to be really committed. But I definitely think that if you’re really committed, you can make it work. I even think it can be quite romantic.”

He shook his head. “It never works.”

Over his shoulder, she noticed the guys glaring at them from beside the pool table. “I think they’re waiting for you.”

“I said I’d play another game of pool …”

“Try not to lose this one.” She’d been watching when he lost the last game.

“Hey! I was distracted.”

“Really?” She relaxed as he smiled cheekily. “By what?”

He picked up his drink, his eyes sparkling. “I don’t know.” At the pool table, someone grew impatient and called his name. He took a step away from her, then turned back and lifted his glass. “I’ll probably go after this.”

She nodded. “I’ll walk with you if that’s okay?”

The dimple appeared in his cheek again. “How else would you find your way home?”

***

 

It was half an hour later when they stepped out of the pub together. Josie was surprised by the rain. It had been drizzling when she arrived, but now it was coming down heavily. The disappointment she felt was out of proportion. They’d have to get a lift home with Andy, and she’d miss out on spending time alone with Sam. She’d been hoping for a goodnight kiss.

“Should we ask Andy to drive us?” she said, hovering in the doorway.

Sam zipped his jacket up and looked at her blankly. “Why?”

She laughed as he stepped out into the street. “The rain.”

“Is it raining?” Walking backwards, he flashed a grin. “Come on …”

He held his hand out and she hurried to catch up with him. She was completely drenched in no time, but she was more aware of Sam’s hand in hers than the torrential rain.

She laughed loudly, and when he turned to her, she nudged him into a puddle. In return he kicked water up at her.

“Have you noticed it’s raining?” he said.

“I wondered why my feet were soaking wet!”

“It’s your inappropriate footwear.”

“I do spend a lot of time with cold wet feet recently.”

“Time to admit you’re a country girl and get some wellies?”

“No chance!”

They were completely drenched when they arrived at the house. Josie turned to Sam as he lingered in the doorway. All she wanted to do was reach up and kiss him. They gazed at each other, the sound of the rain on the covered patio drowning everything out. The air was charged between them, but she hesitated too long. Why didn’t she just kiss him?

“I better go and get dry,” he said, shaking his head and sending drips flying from his hair. After a couple of steps away from her, he stopped and turned back uncertainly. Moving quickly, she closed the gap between them. His arms snaked around her and pulled her closer still.

Her hands on his face drew his lips to hers. Not that he needed any encouragement. He kissed her greedily. The first time they’d kissed it was gentle and tender. This time it was full of urgency. Their bodies pressed forcefully together.

She didn’t want to stop, but the rain had soaked through to her skin, and Sam’s body heat wasn’t quite enough to keep her warm.

“You should get in and get dry.” He pulled back, brushing the wet hair from her face. “You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine.” But her teeth chattered until she clamped her jaw shut.

Sam kissed her once more before she hurried inside, grinning.