Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-four

Chloe

“Tell me what?” I ask, arms around Sam’s waist. The air is cool and he’s nice and warm up against me. I’m a little tipsy, and I’m having a fabulous time tonight.

“That I love you,” he rushes out.

I laugh. “You told me already.”

“I wanted to tell you again.” He pulls me to him, but not before I see the what the fuck look on Archer’s face. “Dinner was nice.”

“Yeah. It was. That red wine was really good.” I take Sam’s hand, ignoring the scratchy feeling in my throat. I do not have time for a cold right now.

“I’ll find out what it was and will pick up a bottle for you.” Sam puts his arms around me and kisses my forehead. We’re stopped at a street corner, and I rest my head against Sam’s chest, looking out at the city.

“Did you come here while writing the series?” Quinn asks, stopping next to Archer. “Kellie and Marcus come to Chicago a lot.”

“They do, and I’ve been here for book signings a few times and got to sightsee a bit.”

“Ohh, I remember you were here a few years ago! I had a work meeting that same weekend and was bummed I couldn’t get out of it to go see you and have my books signed.”

“I can sign them now,” I offer, and Quinn gets excited. I like her way more than I thought I would. Being friends with Sam’s friends is important to me, but I didn’t expect to get along so well with one of them right off the bat. Quinn and I have a lot in common but are different enough that it’s interesting to talk with her.

“I miss this,” Quinn says when we cross the street. “Being in the city, I mean. I always liked walking home from work on nights like this.

“You used to live here?” I ask.

She nods. “For several years. I worked at a software company right in the business district. I loved it.”

“What made you move?”

She looks up at Archer. “He got a job at the hospital in my hometown. I moved away for the job opportunity, but I always wanted to raise my family in Eastwood.”

Her words hit home, and I take it as yet another sign I’m meant to come back to the Midwest. Sam has a good job here in Chicago, but Chicago is a hell of a lot closer to Silver Ridge than LA is. I could easily drive home to see Dad, and Sam and I could escape to the lake on long weekends, soaking up the peace and quiet the solitude of Silver Ridge has to offer.

“And that’s where Rory lives?”

“Yep! Ohh, I might see you there,” Quinn exclaims. “Sam comes to visit every once in a while. He’s our twins’ godfather too.”

“Awww, that’s sweet!”

“That’s only because they have so many kids Quinn ran out of family,” Sam pokes.

“It’s not far from the truth,” Archer says under his breath, and Quinn elbows him.

“We picked Sam because we like him,” Quinn says.

I laugh. “That’s something we have in common.”

She smiles. “So hopefully I’ll see you again soon then.”

“I hope so too.”

We slow, moving to the side of the sidewalk to not be right in the way of the foot traffic. Quinn and Archer need to go the opposite way as us to get back to their car. Quinn and I exchange numbers, we say our goodbyes, and then Sam wraps his arm around me as we walk toward his apartment to try and catch a cab to go back home.

“I’m sorry if you wanted to stay out,” he tells me, fingers pressing into my waist.

“Don’t be. I really am tired.” I push a wave of hair out of my face. “Is it too soon to feel hung over?”

He laughs, tipping his head down to mine. “I’d say so.” He kisses my forehead. “You feel hot.”

“I know I’m hot.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“You look fucking fantastic in that dress but—” He presses the back of his hand to my forehead. “You feel warm. Do you feel okay?”

“Kind of,” I sigh. “I have a headache and my throat is a little raspy. But I’m fine.”

“You’ve been on an airplane more than once lately. It’s not surprising if you caught something.”

“Yeah, they are pretty germy. I end up getting sick from all the travel a few times a year.”

He wraps his arms back around me, trying to shelter me from the very gentle breeze. “Good thing I’m a doctor.”

*

“You have a fever.” Sam presses his hand against my forehead.

“I’m just warm from being snuggled with you all night,” I protest.

“I’ve been out of bed for half an hour now,” he counters. It’s early in the morning and Sam is getting ready for work. I woke up feeling like total shit and my throat is on fire. He gets a thermometer to prove it to me. “One hundred and two point three. Do you usually run hot?”

I shake my head. “I’m usually colder than normal. I joke I’m part vampire.”

He puts the thermometer down on the nightstand and tucks me back into bed. “Rest today. I’ll have soup delivered later and will have the attendant bring it to the door. Do you still like vegetable soup?”

“I do.” I smile and then cough, chest hurting. “Ugh. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He plants a kiss on the top of my head and leaves the room, coming back with medication and a glass of water. “I’ll text you whenever I can,” he says, sitting on the bed next to me. I’m exhausted and am fighting to keep my eyes open. “I’m serious about resting, Chloe. You need it.”

“You say that like you know me or something,” I joke but my laugh turns into a cough.

“I do.” He kisses me again. “And if you’re feeling better later, we need to…to…”

I sniffle, wincing from my sore throat. “Need to what?”

Sam looks from me to the ground and then back again. “Have as much sex as we can before we part ways.” Kissing me once more, he makes sure I’m all set for the day and then leaves for work.