Page 68 of You Girl (The Lucky Girls 3)

“A promotion?”

I laugh. “I’m not sure. A new job description.”

“That sounds like it should come with a new salary.”

I shake my head. “They take really good care of me. I’m not unhappy.”

Sam brings two cups of coffee to the living room and sits down diagonally from me, setting the coffee on the coffee table between us. I lean forward to pick mine up and blow on the top before I sip it.

“I found a venue,” he says.

“Oh, that’s great.”

He nods. “It’s strange to book a whole event for this, but I don’t see how I can make any announcements at a family barbeque. It just feels…too intimate.”

“You’re worried about what they’ll say,” I say.

Sam nods, glancing at me. “You know what my parents can be like.”

He’s right. I know exactly what they can be like. They’re not the most open-minded people I’ve ever met.

“I think you’re doing the right thing. They can’t make a scene in public, so you’re spared from that, and you’re doing it all in one go.”

Sam nods, staring into his coffee cup. I reach for him and put my hand on his arm. He glances at the contact.

“It’s going to be okay. You just need to stand strong. You’ve wanted to do this for years, and you have no reason to wait anymore.”

“Nothing to hide behind,” he says with a sad smile.

I shake my head. “This is your moment, Sam, and it’s going to be great. You can’t control anyone else’s reactions.”

He puts his hand on mine. “You’re wonderful for saying that.” He smiles warmly at me, and for a moment, we sit in amicable silence.

When I pull my hand away, I finish my coffee and set it on the coffee table.

“I have to get going.”

“That’s fine. Thank you for coming. I really appreciate your support and the quick visit.”

I nod. “You’re welcome. You know what you mean to me, right?”

“I can’t imagine I mean anything to you anymore,” Sam says softly. “After all these years…”

“Don’t,” I say. “We’re moving forward, not back. I’m serious. I’m in your corner.”

He hugs me out of the blue before he pulls back.

“Thank you,” he says again.

I smile before we walk to the front door together. I hear him close the door after I’ve already gone down a flight of stairs. When I get in the car, my phone rings. It’s Mason.

“Hi,” I say with a smile.

“Are you at the office?”

“No,” I say. “I have a few errands to run.”

“I was hoping I could stop by. What time will you finish?” He sounds grim.

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