Chapter Thirty
Luke
My life was always pretty predictable…until the moment I agreed to switch rooms with David. When I saw Sammi lying on the bed with that box of toys, it was like a thunderbolt from heaven. I knew she was it.
And it was the craziest thing ever. I’ve written about characters who fall in love—or lust—with someone they just met, but I’d never experienced it myself. I never thought it was possible…until Sammi, who doesn’t play games, who always says what she means.
After meeting her parents last week, I can see why. They’re incredibly warm and loving, and every word out of their mouths is supportive and encouraging. No wonder Sammi is so confident, strong-willed and sweet.
Even though I told her to let it go, I know she did no such thing with my dad. He apologized to me a month after an ugly confrontation over my not keeping Tom and Belinda secret from Sammi. “I’m sorry I said those things. It wasn’t right of me to expect you to carry the burden, and Belinda and Tom are, of course, my responsibility.” As brilliant a scholar as he is, he can’t act for shit, so he sounded like he was choking the entire time. “And I should’ve never belittled your writing. I’m very proud”—was that a gagging noise?—“of your books.”
“You really shouldn’t have,” I told Sammi afterward.
She just shrugged and smiled. “I didn’t. I think your dad finally saw the light. After all, there’s no such thing as consequence-free misdeeds, and wouldn’t it be a shame if all his embarrassing affairs were posted on the front page of the college website by some justice-seeking hacker?” She waggles her eyebrows.
Sammi has also befriended Belinda and Tom. I think the boy likes her more than me. She got him a cool Lego set and is teaching him how to ride a bike.
Right now, the love of my life is reading my latest book—yet to be released; I promised her an early copy—on her belly, her trim body in a pink shirt and faded blue jeans. Ever since we got back together, she’s abandoned her black outfits, although she’s still my raven girl with that wicked obsidian hair.
She hasn’t said a word since she started reading, and I periodically take a surreptitious look at her. Unfortunately, I can’t tell what she’s thinking. Maybe she hates the book. It’s possible. There are times when I think I’ve put out my best work ever, and readers write in just to say, “Wow, this is the shittiest thing I’ve ever read. I can’t believe I paid money for it.”
Sammi didn’t have to pay for it, but I’m nervous anyway. Her opinion matters because she matters. Besides, it would be really awkward to dedicate a book to someone who hated the thing.
Finally, she puts down her e-reader and looks at me with a small frown. “How long did it take you to write this?”
“Two months, once I was done with the research,” I say, my mouth a little dry.
“Huh. Damn. No wonder.”
My stomach sinks. She hates it.
“I knew you were brilliant, but didn’t realize you’re a genius.” She grins, her eyes sparkling. “It’s the best thing I’ve read this year.”
Laughing, I bump a shoulder against her. “Minx.”
“To think I’ve been calling you ThAssIMWa…”
“Does that mean ‘that sexy stranger’ in girl-speak?”
She snorts. “It means That Ass In My Way.” She writes it out on a piece of paper and slides it toward me.
That
Ass
In
My
Way
I arch an eyebrow. “Ass?”
“You were, when we first met.”
“Hmm.” I tap my lower lip. “I guess it doesn’t matter what you call me now.”
She giggles.
I grin, then take the pen from her. I cross out a line, then make a small correction and give the paper back to her.
That
Ass
In
My
Way
Life
Forever
“ThAIMLF?” She arches an eyebrow.
“What about it?”
“Kind of sounds like a hot older woman in Thailand. But I guess it doesn’t matter what you’re called now.”
“Nope. It doesn’t, so long as I get to be in your life permanently.”
Then I pull her into my arms and—between kisses—tell her how I plan to spoil her for the rest of our days.
——
Thank you for reading That Sexy Stranger. I hope you enjoyed it.
Sweet Darlings Inc. series continues with , featuring Michelle.
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