Page 97 of You'll Love it Here

“Yeah, I probably should.” He points with his thumb over his shoulder. “I hired a server and someone to work the kitchen, but Abu keeps leaving his chamber and bothering them.”

My heart pounds as he takes a step back, away from me. “Sami, I...” He angles his brow in my direction. I don’t know what to say. This is probably the last time I’ll see him, and I’m glad we’re parting on friendly terms. But I don’t want it to be the last time. I wish I could come home.

I inhale. “I know I’m not supposed to say it, so I won’t. I just wanted to let you know, what happened with us—I know I didn’t tell you everything, but what happened between us was real.”

“I know.” His eyes move down, and I follow his gaze to the pavement, scattered with grey debris.

Autumn is coming soon. Sami will move on with his life. And if I don’t take this chance to tell him how I feel, I’ll regret it.

Even if all I regret is not trying.

So I continue. “I was falling for you, Sami. I didn’t mean to, but I was. You and your family and this place, Valleyview, it all was starting to mean so much to me. And I shouldn’t have done what I did, but it was still real.”

He inhales sharply, finally looking up at me, his dark eyes brimming with emotion. “Mona, I’ve thought about it a lot. I know we weren’t friends yet when you decided to help Lana, so I get it. I do.” A gust of wind filters through my shirt as he continues. “I just couldn’t understand why you got so close to the people you were screwing.” His eyes pierce me before widening into a panicked glint. “Screwing over, I meant.”

“I never intended to,” I admit. “I didn’t want to get too close to anyone here. And when Lana told me the sale was inevitable, I figured if I helped her, I’d get a softer landing.” I shrug. “But then I actually talked to people. I started to care about all of you. And I couldn’t go through with it.”

He nods. “I get it. A lot changed those past few weeks.”

My heart swells thinking of it all. “Still, I am really sorry I let it get that far after. For everyone. Especially when I was—once I was, um... screwing you.”

He lets out a single, rueful chuckle. “I appreciate it. And for all you’ve done. For Irene, for the building. For me too.”

Something inside me releases.

“So we’re good?” I put out a hand to shake his.

He eyes it and hesitates before his warm hand wraps around mine comfortably. “We’re good.”

Once our hands shake, he doesn’t let go. And I don’t want him to.

“Mona.” His gaze crawls up my arm to my face. “I don’t want to go back to the world where I don’t know you anymore.” He inhales. “I spent a couple of months there, and it wasn’t pretty. I even started catering to the condo guys. That was a joke.” His eyes flash at me before roving down. “But after everything, I wasn’t sure if I could reach out or... Then when you were helping Irene and she mentioned you seemed happier, I was glad, and I didn’t want to mess with you, but now seeing you...” He sucks in a deep breath. “I mean, I’ve been spinning a little.”

I step closer to him, my hands gliding up his arms now. “Sami, I don’t want to go back to that world either.” His arms cup my elbows.

“That’s good, then.” His pupils dilate. “So that means you’ll stop by for a coffee or something? I don’t know if you’re seeing anyone, but maybe one day we can go for a walk or have dinner or...” He looks so nervous. “I never got to make you that steak, and I kind of miss watching you eat my food, and I made this whole menu and all I could think about was if you’d like it, and—”

I lean closer and he shuts up. The minute our lips touch, a surge of warmth runs down my back. Sami pulls me closer, deepening our—

Across the street, the sound of glass crashing to the floor breaks us apart.

We both turn to see it: Through the front window of the diner, Abu is scrambling to clean up what looks to be a tray of brokenmugs. He looks back at us and quickly diverts his attention, pretending to be deep in thought, mouthing something to himself before turning and feigning surprise at the sight of me.

“That was quite the skit.” Sami sighs. “Well, shit, like I said, he’s out of his hole. I’ll have to go yell at him in a minute.”

I wave toward Abu.

“I have to get going too. But I’ll be back tomorrow to bring a few things to Irene.”

Sami holds my hands between his. “Good. If you don’t, Abu might shit on the floor, it seems.”

Try as I might to be casual, I can’t contain my grin. “So I’ll see you?”

“Only if you promise to behave yourself in my place of business,” Sami says, squeezing my fingers.

“Oh, Mona, what did the other guys say?” His voice lighter. “When you told them the news about the building, I mean?”

And just like that, my grin is tamed. “Oh, I don’t know if telling them is such a good idea... I think Irene should get this one.”