Page 51 of Stay this Christmas
“Nothing is happening.”
She came to a dead stop and stared me down, her eyes gone hard. “You’re still on that kick? I tell you things, you know that? When I realized I was feeling stuff about Dean, I told you first. I shared with you, even though it was scary. And you give me thisNothing is happeninggarbage?”
It reminded me of my conversation with Jed. The denial here was strong, going on about how nothing was happening with Sam, even though I’d tossed and turned all night thinking over every last word he’d said to me. And shehadbeen up front about her own romantic feelings, even when they’d confused and frightened her.
If Eliza could be brave about her feelings, I guess I could, too. To a point.
I edged closer to her, deciding to pony up. “The other day, Sam apologized for dumping me the way he did back in high school. When we agreed to help each other with our lists, I told him I just wanted to be friends, nothing more. But last night…I don’t know, it made me think maybe he does want more than to just get to know me again.”
Her little grin returned, even though she fought it.
“But,” I added, before she could get swept away, “think about how astronomically dumb this would be. Would you ever get back together with an ex?”
“You’re trying to be nice, but I know you mean Carter. And I’ll just say what you told me once about Dean: Sam is nothing like Carter. You were best friends forever before you dated, this wasn’t a guy manipulating you for a few months so he could steal a promotion out from under you. It’s not remotely the same.”
It wasn’t, I knew that. But it still felt like a strange scenario to be in.
“Why are you so all-in for us to get back together, though? You wouldn’t talk this way if Teddy had come back for Eden, or if Bret tried to waltz back into June’s life.”
Eliza laughed. “You’re crazy if you think Teddy or Bret would risk the beatings they’d get from Booker or Ty if they turned up again.”
“Fair, but not really my point.”
Her teasing smile disappeared. “Okay, I know. The thing is, you and Sam were awesome together. You were the perfect team. He was the extrovert to your introvert, the sunshine to your grump, the adventurer to your homebody.”
“Wait,” I said, tossing up a hand before she could add any more opposites into the mix. “I’m the grump in your description?”
“I mean, kinda.”
I sagged a little more on the yoga ball. “Kind of a rude awakening there.”
“All I’m saying is, you and Sam fit. And I know you don’t want me to illustrate my point by mentioning all the other loved-up couples around you, but you worked together in the same way we do, your strengths lining up with each other’s weaknesses.”
Great. Second chanceandopposites attract. Not that I’d ever been unsure about that one.
“And I don’t know why he dumped you the way he did, but…” She laid a hand on my arm as though preparing me for hard news. “It was a really long time ago. Maybe you guys didn’t work then, but wouldn’t it be worth it to find out if you work now?”
I sighed, the walls I’d built to protect my heart from Sam fracturing. Soon, that break would become critical, and he would find his way in. His teasing flirtation and eager enthusiasm, his soft confessions and earnest apologies—he would burst through and zap my heart to life again.
But then, I’d wind up even more shattered when he left the next time.
Because as much as I liked the idea of him staying, I still wasn’t convinced Magnolia Ridge had anything he’d stick around long-term for. Including me.
“I don’t know. I think being friends is the safest option right now.”
Her little frown came out again. “Safest, yeah. But I thought the whole point of your list was to try things that aren’t always safe.”
Wasn’t that what I’d told Eliza during her crisis a couple of months ago? Real living is in the mess. Didn’t mean I was ready to let that play out in my own life, though. I’d getreallymessy if I let him back into my heart only for him to walk right out again.
“Hey.” A voice at the doorway nearly sent Eliza and me backward off our yoga balls.
Sam stood just inside the PT room, ready to teach his class. My stomach lurched, my brain reeling over all the embarrassing things he might have overheard. How long had he been standing there? His expression gave nothing away. Was that anI know you want mesmile? Or his regularI’m having the best daysmile? No way to tell.
Eliza popped up off her ball. “Hey, Sam. I was just on my way out.”
“You don’t have to leave because of me.”
“Oh, no, Harper’s got an appointment in like, four minutes. I just stopped in to say hello.”
