Page 99 of Then Came You

“Really? I love that movie!”

“Me too. Unfortunately, your brother isn’t as enthusiastic about romantic movies as we are.”

Kristina giggled. “He prefers action/adventure flicks. Typical man.”

“At least he’ll sit with me and pretend to watch the movie.”

“You know what? We should have a girls’ night sometime soon. We can invite our friends, drink girly drinks, eat junk food, and watch as many romantic comedies as we want to.”

“Sounds fun. I’m sure Savannah and Lauren would come.”

“Are they the co-owners of the bookstore?”

“Um-hmm. I’d like you to meet each other.”

“Let’s plan on it. Speaking of plans, what do you have planned for Thanksgiving?”

“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I usually go to my parents’ house, though. Why do you ask?”

“Sam’s gonna kill me, but he’s supposed to invite you to come to our family’s Thanksgiving. My parents want to meet you.”

“Oh. Well, he hasn’t said anything yet.”

“He’s probably trying to work up the courage. You know men. They act so big and tough, but inside they’re still little boys.”

Gillian laughed.

“When he asks, pretend like you didn’t already hear it from me, okay?”

“Okay.”

After they hung up, Gillian saved Kristina’s number in her phone. Then she dished herself a bowl of chocolate ice cream and carried it into her bedroom. The dogs followed her but stopped outside the door like they’d been trained to do.

Tonight, since she was in a celebratory mood, she invited them in and pointed to the rug beside the bed. After they’d lain down, she set her ice cream bowl on the nightstand and crawled beneath the covers. She’d worn a robe with nothing underneath it, as Sam had requested, and now she realized she’d answered the door to Dax like that. Not that he’d known, but still, it felt strange.

A few minutes later, as she was enjoying her ice cream, she decided it didn’t matter. Sam was safe, and that was worth celebrating.

Chapter 30

It was well after midnight when Sam let himself into Gillian’s house. He’d expected her to be sitting on the couch, watching a movie, but the living room was empty, and the house was quiet. Not even the dogs had come out to greet him.

Realizing she must have gone to bed, he crept down the hall toward the bedroom. She’d left the door open, and he paused to survey the scene. She was lying atop the covers in her robe, and an empty bowl of melted ice cream sat on the nightstand. Rocky and Cocoa lifted their heads and looked at him but didn’t budge from their coveted spots on the fluffy rug by the bed.

He smiled, thinking she’d probably taken comfort in the dogs’ company tonight. And what a night it had been.

Then, as if she’d sensed him watching her, she flicked open her eyes. Seeing him standing there, she sat up with a jolt.

“It’s just me,” he said, moving over to the bed.

“Thank God you’re okay.”

He leaned down and kissed her, but as much as he wanted to, he didn’t join her on the bed. His uniform was damp with sweat and rain, and he didn’t want to dirty the sheets.

“I need to take a shower, and then I’ll come to bed.”

“I’ll take one with you.”

He grinned. “I thought you were sleeping.”