Page 136 of Sweetheart

I sat up straighter and faced him on the couch. "No, but he can sing."

"So?"

"So," I repeated, "Patrick's the romantic, the kind-hearted soul, the one who finally broke through David's walls and worked tirelessly to help make the person he loves dreams come true.How can you not love him?"

He shot me a grin. "Sounds like you're the romantic, Kent."

I huffed, digging my spoon into the ice cream. There were two kinds, a pint of butter pecan and another of plain chocolate. So far, I'dstuck to the chocolate, and Sam took the butter pecan without sayinga word. As the coldness meltedin my mouth, I closed my eyes and sighed.

"That good?" Sam asked.

"Yes," I murmured, "the cold feels wonderful on my throat."

"Nice."His voice sounded strained, and I re-opened my eyes. "Speaking of dreams, how'syour list coming?You'renearly done, right?"

I reached back into my pocket, unfolded my list, and nodded.

"I've got a few more items to go."

"Mind if I take a look?"

Shrugging, I handed him my list. His eyes moved over the page, and I'd stared at it enough times that I could clearly picture what he saw.

"We could do at least one of these now," he said and raised his arm.

"I assume you mean #4."

"You assume correctly."

"Are you sure you won't get sick?" I asked.

Sam gave me a grin. "Look at me, Kent. I'm the picture of health."

Shaking my head, I scooted closer while muttering, "Okay, but if cuddling with me makes you sick, I claim zero responsibility."

"Got it."

I leaned carefully against his chest. "This okay? Is my head too heavy? If I smell, just push me away, because even though I showered this morning, I have no sense of smell right now."

Sam sighed in response, pulling me closer, and draped a blanket over both of us.

"You're fine," he said, wrapping his arm around one of my shoulders and placing my arm over his chest. "Let's just relax and watchSchitt's Creek."

"Okay," I breathed.

Cuddling, I decided, was my new favorite thing.

It was like an endless hug, and to quote David, I was obsessed. Sam's arms remained wrapped around me. I felt each of his breaths going in and out ofhischest. We didn't say very much, but it was comfortable. Cozy.I'd never realized how good it could feel to just be with someone. As Sam and I watched my favorite episode of my favorite show, I couldn't help but be grateful for this moment.

Even if it couldn't last.

"Hey," Sam said, "are you okay?"

"Yep," I said.

"What…Kent, are you crying?"

"How did you know?"

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