Page 100 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

I fold my arms. “I do too. I might not look, but I notice things.”

“You’ve never noticed me staring at you,” he says quietly out of the side of his mouth.

My forehead crinkles as my lips part slightly. He stares at me? Since when? “That’s because I didn’t want to see your annoying face.”

To my relief, Sam laughs. “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.” He opens his laptop, sipping his coffee as the computer warms up.

The silence hanging heavily between us gives me time to think. I don’t know that I ever properly thanked Sam for last night. He not only saved me from Connor, but he also hung out with me and let me vent my frustrations. He was also more understanding about my confusion with his sister than I expected him to be.

That all deserves to be mentioned.

“Sam?” I wait for him to acknowledge his name. “I need to thank you for last night.”

His brow crinkles sympathetically, but he doesn’t speak.

I drop my gaze to my coffee cup. “Even after I lied about being sick, you still helped me through what happened with...” I swallow. “With my ex. I want you to know that I really appreciate what you did.” When I glance up, I’m greeted by a warm smile on Sam’s face.

“Brynn...” My name spills from his lips with such longing, I’m surprised I don’t melt into a gooey puddle. With a small wince, Sam pats my thigh before turning back to the computer. “You’re welcome.”

When he removes his hand, the spot on my thigh aches for his warmth, so I rub my palms down my legs.

“How are you doing, anyway?” he asks, not looking at me.

I lean forward, clasping my hands around my knees. “Fine.”

He tilts his head. “Fine?”

“Better.”

“Good.” He continues clicking the mousepad. “I’m glad I was able to help.”

“Me too.” I chew on my lip as my next question niggles at me. “How did you know I was on the patio?”

Licking his lips, Sam rubs the back of his neck. “I saw you sitting at the bar with your friend, and was on my way to inquire about your food poisoning...” He gives me a pointed look, a smirk appearing. “But you stumbled your way outside before I could get to you.”

“So, you opted to get a couple beers before coming to find me?”

“Ha, no. I was about to follow you, but your friend saw me first.”

The misery in his tone tells me Lisa was anything but nice, and a small pang of guilt hits me, but I’d be lying if I didn’t find it funny.

Sam must notice me struggling to contain my amusement because he nods at me. “Yeah, that was interesting. You’ve got a good friend there, you know that?”

“I do.”

“Well, she jumped off her stool and charged right at me, finger pointed and everything. She didn’t give me any details as to why you lied about being sick, but she used some colorful language to make it abundantly clear that you were upset with me.” He makes a pained face as if the memory is replaying in his mind.

I can’t help it, I giggle. “Sorry.”

“No, don’t be. She was just protecting you.”

“So, how did you convince her to let you talk to me?”

Sam swallows deeply and rubs his chin as he seems to be contemplating. “I, uh, told her that I wanted to hear things from your mouth, and apologize for whatever it was that I did. That seemed to satisfy her.”

I nod even as I wonder why Lisa didn’t mention any of this.

“So, I bought a couple of beers as an olive branch before coming out to the patio. You know the rest.” He clears his throat. “I’m just sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”

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