Anyone But You: Home to Hearts Bend | Book Two by Rachel Hauck & Carrie Padgett

Author:Rachel Hauck & Carrie Padgett [Hauck, Rachel & Padgett, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

9

This was a risk.

It could be argued that it may be the biggest one he’d ever taken, including the wild throw that had caused him to blow out his knee. Here he was, standing at the Beason front door at six o’clock on a Sunday night, unannounced, about to ring the doorbell.

If Chloe opened and punched him in the nose then slammed the door in his face, he’d deserve it. In a way, he sort of hoped she did.

So ring the bell, smart guy.

Sam took a deep breath and pressed the button, the pretty chime muffled inside the walls of the house. At first, he didn’t hear anything, then steps sounded over hardwood floors. The porch light flipped on, and the door swung open.

Chloe stood across the threshold in a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back from her face with one of her shiny clips. She cocked her right hip and leaned against the doorjamb. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, could you punch me in the nose?” Sam leaned toward her, pointing to the middle of his face.

“Gladly, but that would make me petty and small. Like you.”

“Good point.” He righted himself. “Can this jerk come in?”

“Are you here in an official capacity? As my boss?”

“No, I’m here as the guy who sent you a stupid text.”

“Stupid? More like honest. But whatever, best to know things between us wouldn’t work before we even left the gate.”

“That’s what I want to talk about. Chloe, look⁠—”

“Sam, we’ve said our piece. Let’s just move on, forget Friday night.” She wrapped up in her arms as a cold blast blew across the porch. “See you at work.”

“Come to dinner with me. Valentino’s. I took the liberty of making a reservation. They were booked but I did some name-dropping. See, that’s how much I want you to come out with me.”

“I don’t think so, Sam. Let’s just⁠—”

“Sam, hello.” Mrs. Beason appeared from the kitchen down the hall, a bowl of popcorn in her hands. “Come in, come in. Chloe, you’re letting out all the warm air.”

Chloe made a face and stepped aside. “Sam was just leaving, Mom.”

“Leaving? He just got here.” She tugged on the belt of her robe. “Sit. I’ll make some hot chocolate. I was sick yesterday, but Chloe's chicken soup last night fixed me right up. I'm feeling so much better.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He paused. “And actually, Mrs. B, I made reservations at Valentino’s. I’d like Chloe to join me.”

“She’d love to join you.”

“I’m busy.” Chloe pointed to the television in the living room and bowls of popcorn.

“Not really,” Mom said. “We haven’t even started the movie yet. Sam, she’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“Hold on, don’t I have a say? You and Ruby have got to stop answering for me.”

“Go on up and get changed, darling. I’ll keep Sam company.”

“Mom, I really don’t think⁠—”

“Good, thinking is so overrated.” Mrs. B turned Chloe for the stairs and with a pat on the back, sent her on her way.

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