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Someone was breathing beside her.
That was the first thing that registered in her mind the moment she woke up. She opened her eyes and saw a man lying on the bed, his head facing away from her. Sam almost choked on her own saliva.
“What the chi—”
Flashback.
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“I didn’t ask you to be here!”
“Well, I’m here! And I’m not going anywhere, Sam. So deal with it.”
“I don’t need your freaking face parading around here, Freddie! I was fine just being here!”
“And what about me, huh? Did you ever think of asking me when you decided to cut me off without saying anything?”
“Since when do you care?”
Freddie’s eyes widened. “All the time!"
Sam laughed harshly. “Can you stop lying to my face?”
“Oh my God. You still don’t get it, do you, Sam?”
“Shut up.”
“No, you shut up. I’m so tired of you hearing only what you want to listen to. I’m so tired of trying to make you understand that it was never Carly. Sam, damn it, it’s always been you. Since I was thirteen. Since the taco incident when you shook me into realizing the truth. And since that awful night in the elevator. In every text I sent you when you were in L.A., in every single second spent on that trip. And with every hope that you’d talk to me again after we fought and you came here.”
“God, Sam. I love you…”
He drew closer. Sam felt her knees weaken as Freddie reached for her arms, his forehead leaning toward hers. She saw a tear drop from his eye before a determined look took over his expression.
“I meant it when I said I’m not letting you win this time. I’m not going anywhere, Puckett.”
Sam blinked at the memory of last night, feeling a sliver of relief.
It wasn’t a dream, she thought.
Beside her, the man groaned and shifted. Freddie’s face came into view.
“Morning,” he croaked, and Sam couldn’t help but scrunch her nose. A pool of warmth spread toward her stomach.
She yelped when his hands grabbed her waist, tugging her closer.
She felt his lips on the side of her neck, his warm body flushing against her skin.
Sam heard the cackle of a rooster outside, and her eyes flew straight to the open window below them, the rays of sunlight spilling over their tangled frames.
She felt his body vibrate when he chuckled.
Sam swatted his shoulder.
“Breakfast?”
“Duh!”
The scent of sizzling bacon and butter greeted her as soon as she descended the stairs toward the kitchen.
Freddie, wearing only his board shorts, was flipping pancakes on the stove. He looked up as soon as he felt her presence, his eyes surveying her body.
Sam wanted to rip the smug look off his face.
“Hungry?” he asked as he twisted the stove off and set the pancakes on the table beside the wooden island.
The plates were already prepared. Sam reached for the juice on the counter and brought it to the table.
She looked up when Freddie hooked his hands around her nape and his lips descended to hers for a kiss.
He hummed, satisfied. Sam only rolled her eyes.
“So what’s the plan today?” Freddie asked as she settled into the seat opposite him.
She stabbed at the pancake on her plate. “I have to help Tony today. People are getting their trees from the farm. That old man can’t accommodate all of them.”
Freddie nodded. “I have to finalize the papers so the council can submit them. Lunch at Wagon’s?”
“As long as it’s your treat,” she smirked.
“Since when is it not?”
Sam chuckled.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them.
“Sam? Yuhoo! You out there?” someone called from outside.
Her eyes widened.
Freddie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Do people sleep in this town?”
It was, after all, just six in the morning.
“And do they always visit their neighbors at this hour?”
Sam couldn’t help but laugh as she slid from her seat. Crossing the room toward the door, she surveyed the space for any mess that could be misunderstood. When she found nothing, she twisted the knob.
Katy—her newfound friend in Ale Bloom—stood outside, her face beaming. “I came here as soon as I could. I brought some wine for—oh!”
Katy stopped dead in her tracks as she caught sight of Freddie at the dining table.
“But I thought he left and—” she stammered, and Sam couldn’t help but mentally slap herself. Freddie looked amused.
“I’m fine,” Sam said before Katy could blabber further and embarrass both of them in front of Freddie.
“We sort of…” Her eyes landed on Freddie. He gave her a soft smile. “Made out,” she finished, her lips tugging upward in response.
“Oh! That’s great! Geez, I thought I’d have to drink another wine—not that I’m complaining, but it’s early morning and I haven’t eaten—”
“Pancakes?” Freddie offered.
Katy beamed. “Yes, please!”
Sam could only shake her head.
“So, are you guys coming to the party tonight?” Katy asked after breakfast. She and Sam were sitting on the leather sofa across from the kitchen while Freddie washed the dishes. Sam watched as Katy peeled her eyes from her phone, a successful smile plastered on her lips.
“What party?” Sam asked.
“Mrs. Mayhem is throwing one.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not her birthday yet.”
Katy avoided her gaze. “Yeah… she said something about a successful endeavor,” she laughed nervously.
“A successful endeavor,” Sam repeated, and Katy nodded.
“Hey, nub!” Sam called.
“Yeah?”
“What do you say to dinner at Mrs. Mayhem’s tonight?”
“Party?”
“Yeah! For a successful endeavor, apparently!” she shouted, emphasizing endeavor.
“Sure!”
Sam nodded at Katy. “Tell Mrs. Mayhem that her endeavors will be there.”
Katy blinked. “You’re so funny, Sam! Anyway, I’ll catch up with you later. I’ll just go and—” She practically jumped toward the door. “Bye, Sam! Bye, Freddie! See you guys later!”
“She kind of reminds me of Cat,” Freddie said as he leaned on the wall that separates the kitchen from the living room.
Sam laughed. “Yeah, I thought so too. You gonna shower or not?”
Freddie reached for her nape and gave her a peck on the lips. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll drive you to the farm.”
“Okay. Hurry.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re together now,” he stated.
Sam blinked.
“Just putting that out there,” he added before ascending the stairs.
Sam watched his back, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Nub.