Devon

Devon was quiet on the drive home. He felt like a wall had gone up between him and Sam all of a sudden. He was cursing himself for ruining their perfect night by bringing up Boston and his father. Sam was right; she was his happy distraction. He just wanted to bury himself in her and the magnificent way she made him feel. But that wouldn’t solve his problems. He was beginning to realize nothing would.

He walked Sam to her door and they both stood awkwardly in the hall looking down at their feet. Sam was still barefoot, and Devon wished he still had her feet in his lap.

“Thanks again for tonight,” Devon said, finally looking at Sam.

“It was fun.”

“It was. And I’m sorry about what I said.”

She looked at him like she didn’t know what he was apologizing for.

“The wanting to kiss you thing,” he clarified.

“Oh.”

“You were right,” he continued.

“I was?”

“Yeah. We need rules if we’re going to be friends. Crossing the line would just muck things up. And I really don’t want to muck it up with you, Sam.”

She looked up at him, her face a sea of turmoil. “You’re not going to mess things up, Devon. I know how hard losing a parent can be. I’m always going to be here for you if you need me.”

“What about Boston?”

“Who knows? But whether I end up in Boston or China, I’m only ever a phone call or text message away.”

“Good, because I think I need you.” Devon could feel his face breaking. “I know I do.”

He watched his reflection twist in Sam’s eyes. He hated acting like a sniveling fool around her. He must have drunk too much champagne. But Sam didn’t seem put off by his sudden rush of emotions. She reached her hand up and gently cupped his face. “You have me, Devon.” And then she kissed his cheek.

Devon pulled her to him trying to hide his tears. He knew she didn’t mean it the way he wanted her to. But it was good enough for now.

They stood in the hallway holding each other tightly. Sam stayed patiently in his arms, rubbing her hands in soothing circles on his back until Devon could collect himself. When he finally felt like he could take a shaky breath without breaking down, he pulled away from her.

“Thank you,” Devon said taking both of her hands.

Sam stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek again. “Goodnight, Devon.”

“Goodnight, Sam.”

Sam

Sam felt like she was dragging her heart behind her as she shuffled into her bedroom. It had been a traumatic night as far as her heart was concerned. She went from being all fluttery dancing with Devon, to shredded, after she tried to comfort him from the impossible loss he was facing. She was exhausted, and she wished there was more she could do for Devon. But all she could offer was to be there for him—whether he needed a shoulder to cry on or a happy distraction.

She and her father had been that for each other after Sam’s mother died. And that was really the only thing that got them through it. The casseroles helped, but there’s no recipe to heal a broken heart.

Sam forced herself to take a quick shower and then slipped into her new comfy pajamas before climbing into bed. She had just turned off the bedside lamp when she heard her phone ping with a text message. She rolled over and grabbed it off the nightstand.

DEVON: Just checking out your theory.

SAM: I’m still here.

DEVON: Good.

SAM: You know I’m only across the hall if you need me.

DEVON: I know.

DEVON: Thanks again for tonight.

SAM: Stop thanking me. I already told you I had fun.

DEVON: It was fun, wasn’t it? Maybe we should do it again?

SAM: Are you asking me out, friend?

DEVON: No. That would be against the rules.

SAM: Good. Besides you still owe me for this non-date.

DEVON: What do you have in mind?

She thought for a moment. There was something she’d been dying to ask Devon for help with . . . She bit her lip and contemplated a bit longer before quickly typing a response.

SAM: Soccer practice? Tomorrow morning?

DEVON: Only if you call it football.

SAM: Deal.

DEVON: What time?

SAM: 7 am. See you bright and early.

DEVON: Perfect it’s a date ;-)

SAM: It’s NOT a date! See you in the morning.

Sam was grinning. Tomorrow was going to be a good day.

Sophie

Sophie rolled over trying to read the caller ID on her cell phone. Who on earth was calling her at this hour? It was the middle of the night.

“Hello?” Sophie said groggily.

“Soph? It’s Molly.”

“Mol! It’s 1 am!”

“I know but this is important.”

“It better be.”

“You’ll never guess who I saw at my cousin’s wedding!”

“I’m not playing guessing games with you, Mol.”

“Devon!”

Sophie sat up.

“And guess who he was with?” Molly asked.

“Don’t tell me, that drab looking American, Samantha?”

“How’d you know?”

“I know everything, Molly.”

“So you don’t care that Devon’s dating someone?”

“Of course not. I broke up with him! But that doesn’t mean we’re going to let that little slut go unchecked. She needs to learn the order around here.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. So what’s the plan?”

“You’ll see.”