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“Where have you been going?” I ask, suddenly feeling protective.

“Oh, more so in the city, I suppose. I haven’t really been out to eat much here, actually. Just official functions so the food is already set for the most part.”

“We’ll have to remedy that.”

She chews on her thumbnail for a moment before nodding and saying, “That sounds lovely.”

“We should go to a new place each week and I’ll let you know where ahead of time so you can check out the menu.”

“I do like to do that.”

I just give her a smile because if anyone has paid attention to this woman for more than two minutes, they would have been able to guess that.

Chapter 7: Sam

Why does Tommy look so good driving?

I can’t seem to make my heart calm down.

Since he parks a little farther from the entrance, we have more space to get out of his truck, so I don’t have to focus too hard on how to slide down. But being used to my low sedan plus the fact that I’m wearing a skirt isn’t a great combination for remaining casually graceful. In the time it takes to gather my things, let alone my exit strategy for the second time tonight, Tommy is already opening my door before I can reach for the handle.

“You can leave anything you want in the truck,” he says.

“I suppose it would be silly for me to bring my water bottle into the bar.”

“If you’d like, you can leave your notebook and pens here, too. You shouldn’t need them.”

“Fair point,” I reply, stepping out of the truck and pulling out just about everything so my bag only has my keys and wallet.

“I think that’s better,” I tell him.

“As long as you’re good,” he says sincerely.

My heart flutters again. Usually any guy I’m with doesn’t notice what I’m carrying or if it’s too much.

Get a grip, Samantha.

“Shall we?” I manage.

He shuts the door and hesitates for a moment, then shakes his hands at his sides like he’s unsure what to do with them.

“After you,” he says.

Maybel’s is about half full tonight. I’ve only been here one other time when Hank brought me for dinner with his wife and children, celebrating my first day on the job.

I feel Tommy’s hand gently press against my lower back causing a shiver that I can’t hide.

“Our table’s this way,” he says, leaning down so I can easily hear him over the country music playing on the speakers. “Hank calls ahead each year.”

“I didn’t realize this was truly an official ritual,” I tell him. “Hank told me about going out for drinks after this meeting, but it sounded less mandatory than this is turning out to be.”

“Definitely not mandatory, but a nice way to unwind after Sharon’s presentation. She even joins us.”

He lifts his hand to wave at Hank and Mr. Barnett and my skin is left feeling colder than before he touched me.

“Are you going to finally beat Mark’s record tonight?” Hank asks Tommy from across the table as Tommy pulls out a chair for me like there’s nothing to think about.

“I swear mine were spiked with ghost peppers last year,” he says.