Page 81 of Cluelessly Yours

Me: LOL. I think we should plan a celebration outing to a Yankees game when Grant gets his cast off.

Sammy: The boys would really love that. And it is a bit of a miracle that his cast is still intact. I mean, it stinks like dirty feet, but it’s still on there. Surely that’s something to celebrate.

Me: We can even bathe him first before we go.

Sammy: Ha! Sounds like a win-win.

I take a quick glance at the calendar app in my phone before sending her another message.

Me: I’ll check their schedule and see what home games they have coming up in June.

Sammy: You think Kara would like to come?

Her thoughtfulness toward my sister doesn’t go unnoticed.

Me: I think she’d love to come, so long as she’s having a good day when the time comes. I’ll talk to Mary about it.

“Noah, you ready?” Cameron, one of the OR nurses, peeks her head out of the surgery room to find me standing by the sink.

“Give me two minutes, and I’ll be there.”

Fingers to the keys, I send one final text to Sammy.

Me: I’m being called into surgery now, but try to have a good day, okay? PS: My first text still rings true, no matter how cheesy you think it is. I miss you.

Sammy: I miss you too, Cheese Ball. And I’ll call you after work tonight.

Yeah, it’s official. The all-consuming, heart-racing, stomach-aching, I’m-going-to-throw-up-if-this-doesn’t-work-outfeelingis coming in loud and clear this time around.

Three back-to-back surgeries and several inpatient visits should have me dead on my feet, but I guess Sammy Baker puts too much pep in my step for that.

My normal routine would include a quick stop for takeout and calling it an early night, but since Dolly is sleeping over at Brooke and Chase’s, I can’t stop myself from stopping by La Croisette to see Sammy.

I know she’s probably busy. I know I’ll probably have all of two minutes to say hello. I know all of this, but it doesn’t deter me from heading straight there after I leave the hospital.

With the way I’m missing her, even two minutes is better than none.

The instant I walk through the fancy glass entrance doors of La Croisette, I’m reminded of the fact that it’s one of the most popular restaurants in New York. Bodies fill every available space, and the noise in just the lobby is enough to make my ears ring a little, but when I step up to the hostess stand, Nanette smiles like she’s not even feeling the pinch. People book reservations several months in advance just to get a spot, and here I am, walking in like I own the freaking place.

Pays to know the right people, I guess.

“Hey, Noah. You want a table?” Nanette asks, making a couple of heads whip in our direction. I do my best to ignore them.

“No, thanks. I’m just looking for Sammy. Have you seen her?”

“Last time I saw her, she was getting a ten-top ready with Mandy, but I have no clue where she is now. Feel free to go look yourself, though.”

With a grateful nod, I scan the dining room for Sammy, but the only familiar face I see is Chase’s sister Mo, standing toward the kitchen entrance doors chatting with one of the servers.

Without hesitation, my feet are already moving in her direction.

Thankfully, by the time I reach her, the server has headed inside the kitchen doors, and Mo’s relocated to the bar area. When her eyes meet mine, her face lights up with a smile.

“Noah,” she greets. “To what do I owe the pleasure? You trying to con me into getting you some food to-go?”

Amusement crests my lips as I shake my head. “Actually, I was hoping to see Sammy for a minute.”

“Ohhhhh.”Mo’s excited expression would make her soon-to-be sister-in-law Brooke proud. “I see. You’re here forSammyand not my husband’s world-renowned food.”

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