Page 94 of Meant to Be

Throwing on grey sweats and a loose top, I emerge, as there’s a loud knock on the door. We exchange a look and Sam strides to the door. When he swings it open, Harley is standing there. He looks alarmed seeing Sam before his eyes settle on me. I quickly push to my feet and start to walk closer, then stop.

“Sorry. I saw you … when you were leaving … I just wanted to check if you were okay.”

Sam sends a smirk over his shoulder at me.

“I have to step out for a second anyway, left something in the car,” he awkwardly lies before darting out the door. Harley walks inside. Sam leaves us standing there awkwardly near the door, staring at each other.

“Where’s Jess?” I ask. “Aren’t you meant to be on a date?”

“Cancelled it,” he replies.

“Why?”

“Because you were crying.”

“Not over that,” I say defensively.

“Oh.” He says, his face falling. “Right. Of course not.”

His words hit me like a punch.

“Well. Regardless, I wanted to see you.” He mutters, pinning me with his gaze.

I hear Sam’s car rumble to life and he pulls out of my driveway. I gape at him and his grin is visible through the window as he disappears into the night.

“Sorry to gatecrash.”

“It’s fine. We were going to watch a movie, but I guess not.”

“I’ll watch a movie with you,” he says, looking annoyingly adorable. “If you want.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

A message from Sam makes me look down at my phone. He said he left to give us some alone time but to let him know if I want him to come back. I smile down at it, my chest warming as I type out a quick reply.

Harley locks the door behind him. We push the TV around so it is more visible from my bed, and crawl into it. When he lays down beside me, I hardly dare to breathe. He’s warm, and so close.

We pick a comedy and settle into the pillows. He curls an arm underneath my head. I lean on his chest, hearing the steady rhythm of his heart.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For coming.”

He tightens his arm around me.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”