Though he was surrounded by people all day and had invitations to some type of event or activity just about every night of the week, he couldn’t escape the fact that, at the end of the day, he was alone. He had friends, business partners, brothers, and acquaintances that he spent time with, but nothing deep. Nothing that mattered. Most of them were all yes-men who sucked up to him for one reason or another. He almost always slept alone, and he was getting tired of it.
He had money to do anything he wanted, but no one to share it with. That was what he found himself longing for lately. Someone to wake up to. Someone to share the fancy vacations with. Someone to just eat a weeknight dinner with. Money was nice, but it didn’t fill the void.
His phone chirped in the middle of his meal, and since there was no one to be annoyed that he was taking calls at dinner, he answered it.
“This is Sam.”
“I thought we were going to pretend this never happened.” It was Annie. Like a teenage kid, his heart rate quickened, and his hands began to sweat. He sat up and put his fork down, coming to attention.
“What?”
“The flowers. I mean, they’re gorgeous. Like, I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous, but I’m not sure they’re appropriate. You know? Now that you know that I know who you are.” She chuckled.
“Shit. I forgot about that. I ordered them this morning before the meeting.”
“Ah, of course. Well, it was a nice gesture. Thank you for sending them. Even if you don’t mean them anymore, they made my day.” He could hear the smile in her voice.
He paused for a second and then blurted, “What are you doing right now? Can I take you to dinner?”
“What? Are you crazy?”
“Maybe. Probably. You’re right. Maybe not out to dinner. How about I pick you up, and then we’ll get some takeout and bring it back to my place?”
She took forever to answer. “I don’t know, Sam. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Not really, but it’s what I want to do, so what do you say? I take it you’re still at your cousin’s place. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
“People don’t say no to you very often, do they?”
“No, so please don’t start. See you in fifteen?” he asked, biting his lip and holding his breath.
“All right,” she relented. “See you in fifteen.” He hung up before she could change her mind.
He arrived exactly fifteen minutes later. She opened the door, and sparkling turquoise eyes met his. She’d changed out of her work clothes and looked much more comfortable in jeans and a light blue V-neck sweater with a white tank top underneath. She smelled like deodorant and toothpaste.
“Your cousin out?” he asked.
“Yes. She’s working late tonight. You want to see the flowers you sent?” she asked, backing away from the door to allow him entry.
He glanced over her shoulder, where an enormous assortment of spring flowers dwarfed the small kitchen table. It was overkill for sure. “Nah. As long as you like them, that’s all that matters. You ready?”
“Yeah, sure.” She locked the door and followed him to a black Cadillac SUV.
He opened the passenger door for her and once she was settled, jogged around to the driver’s side.
“I hope Italian is okay. I already ordered it, so we wouldn’t have to wait.”
“Oh, yeah. Who doesn’t like Italian?” She licked her lips.
He smiled, thinking of all the women he’d taken out over the years who refused to eat pasta because they were counting carbs and calories. Sure, eating healthy and staying in shape were important to him, but you had to live a little too. Annie had a long, lean physique, so she must take care of herself, but obviously not obsessively so.
He stopped at the same restaurant he’d just been to an hour before and ignored the quizzical look from the same hostess he’d seen earlier. “Super hungry tonight,” he explained with a wink.
“I have to admit, part of the reason for saying yes to you is because I’m dying to see where you live,” Annie said. “I’m imaging an enormous mansion on the lake, probably with a gorgeous view of Mount Rainier too. Is Bill Gates your next-door neighbor?”
“No,” he said. “You might be surprised. I mean, it’s nice, but not the most expensive in town. When I bought the place, it was a huge stretch for me, financially. Now, not so much, but I’ve never felt the urge to leave.”
When they pulled up to the gate at the entrance to his neighborhood, she laughed.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, using a remote to open the gate. Was she laughing at him because he didn’t live in a better neighborhood? Was she disappointed?
“Well,” she said. “We must have the same great taste. See that house at the end of the block?” She pointed to what he thought might be the smallest house in the neighborhood. It had a For Sale sign in the yard with a Sold sign plastered diagonally over it. “That’s my new place. We’re going to be neighbors!”
“Seriously? That’s great.” He made a detour and drove to her new house. They got out and looked around. It was a soft blue, two-story craftsman with a large, wraparound porch painted white to match the trim. Workmen were packing up for the day. It looked like they’d been putting in hardwood.
“I’ve only actually seen the place twice. Once right before I bought it and then a couple of days ago when I got to town. I’m having new floors put in.” The excitement in her eyes made them sparkle.
“You wanna check it out?” Sam asked as he headed toward the door.
“No. I’ll take a look when they’re done. If all goes as planned, I’m moving in this weekend. Don’t suppose you have a truck?” She laughed.
“I do have a truck. I could help.”
“I was joking.” She sobered
