Page 56 of Then Came You
“I’m so sorry, Sam.”
He nodded and picked up his mug to distract himself from the bad memories.
“After Owen died, I knew I wasn’t the only one to suffer such a loss, but for a while, it felt like I was, you know?”
“Yes, because everyone around you goes about their business as usual, while you’re mired down by grief.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m glad we’re talking like this.”
“Me too.”
“I liked Owen, from what I knew of him, anyway.”
She smiled but didn’t speak.
“He seemed like the kind of guy I could have been friends with. I hope it doesn’t bother you to hear that.”
“It doesn’t, because I’ve thought the same thing.”
“You have?”
“Um-hmm. He had a lot of the same interests and values as you do.”
“He liked fishing too?”
She laughed. “Liked might not be the right word for it. He went fishing a few times, but he never caught anything. I think he liked drinking beer and hanging out with his buddies more.”
Sam smiled, glad she was able to talk about Owen more freely now. Although he wasn’t sure how much further he wanted to stroll down memory lane with her. Selfishly, he wanted to get back to the business of her and him.
He looked in her eyes, and something changed in her demeanor, almost as if she’d read his mind. “Would you like some more coffee?”
“No. I’m good.”
She stood up and carried their empty mugs to the sink. Then she leaned back against the kitchen counter. For some reason, he thought that might be his cue to leave. It was getting late, after all. He stood up and expected her to walk him to the door, but she hadn’t budged.
“Are you leaving?”
“Don’t you want me to?”
“Do you want to?”
He chuckled. “Let’s start over.”
“Sorry.” She looked away like she was trying to decide something. He was almost afraid to imagine what it was.
He should have been satisfied that they’d resolved something tonight, but he wasn’t ready to leave, especially if she wanted him to stay.
“Gillian?”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
Her statement flooded him with relief, and he set a hand on the table for support, hoping he looked more relaxed than he felt. He swallowed hard.
“What are you saying…exactly?”
She took a step forward. “What if I show you instead?”
