Page 34 of Crazy Love

“I like vegetables and salads!” Sam says. “And macaroni and cheese!”

He’s so stinking adorable.

“If we get all that food, you might have to roll me out of here,” Penn tells him.

He just smirks. “I guess you better keep lifting weights, old man.”

I burst out laughing and Penn pretends to be offended, pressing a hand to his chest. “Old man? Excuse me? I’m in my prime.”

“Debatable,” I tease, sipping my water.

Dinner is full of easy conversation and even easier laughter. Sam is the kind of kid who makes you feel like you’ve known him forever, quick-witted and effortlessly funny. And Penn—God, Penn is so good with him. Penn listens to him, really listens, and Sam idolizes Penn. He’s funny but respectful at the same time. They’re easy together, and if Penn is trying to win me over with Sam, it’s working. But sadly, it seems like he was serious about the friend thing.

After dinner, we pile into the SUV and head to Serendipity. Sam gets a towering cone of mint chocolate chip in a waffle cone, I opt for a mini cup of salted caramel, and Penn goes for vanilla with rainbow sprinkles on a sugar cone.

Sam side-eyes him hard. “Vanilla? Withrainbow sprinkles?” he asks incredulously.

“Don’t judge me,” Penn says, taking a bite. “Sometimes you just need to go back to the classics.”

“You’re a mystery.” Sam shakes his head before diving into his ice cream.

“Ain’t that the truth,” I say.

By the time we drop Sam off, my heart is full. Penn puts his hand on Sam’s shoulder and his eyes are serious when he says, “Call me if you need anything.Anything.Okay?”

Sam nods and gives Penn a big hug. “Okay. I will. Thanks, Penn.”

He hops out of the car and waves before jogging up the walkway, disappearing inside. As soon as he’s gone, I turn to Penn.

“So…what’s the story with Sam?”

Penn exhales, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “I met him through a tutoring program some of the Mustangs did a few years ago. He was smart as hell but struggling, mostly dueto a rough foster home situation. We hit it off, and I started spending more time with him.”

I nod, sensing there’s more. “And?”

He hesitates before continuing. “He’s been in one bad situation after another. I’ve wished I could have him live with me, but…it’s been complicated. I’m young and single and…obviously, I travel a lot.” He pulls away and starts driving toward my condo. “I’ve applied for a foster license recently, and my lawyer is working on paperwork for me to adopt him eventually. The system isn’t making it easy.”

My chest tightens. “Really? Penn, that’s amazing. But it seems like they’d be happy that you’d want to take him. How awful.”

He stops at a light and his jaw is tight as he looks out the windshield. “The worst part? Recently he got arrested for stealing food from the grocery store. He was hungry. That’s it.”

My throat constricts, and before I can stop it, tears are falling down my cheeks. Penn notices and reaches out, taking my hand. It’s only for a second before the light turns and he squeezes it before letting go.

The thought of Sam—this bright, funny, incredible kid—having to steal just to eat is too much. I shake my head, wiping at my cheeks. “He’s such a sweet kid. It’s just not right for any child to be hungry like that.”

“I know. This foster home he’s in…I don’t trust them. Sam says they withhold food from the kids staying there, and I’ve tried to get him out of there, but they check out okay when the social worker visits.”

Seeing the way he cares about Sam, hearing that he wants toadopthim…I don’t think my heart can take this.

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“Can I tell the courts what a good guy I think you are?”

He grins. “But you don’t even know me.”

“I know enough.”

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