Page 298 of The Havenport Collection

Gio

I had always loved my job. I knew long ago I would never survive in an office, so I took another path. And for almost two decades, I had been really happy. I loved the travel, the experiences, and the ability to teach people about something I was so passionate about.

But right now, I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to be in Bordeaux, despite how gorgeous it was. I wanted to be in Havenport, curled up on the couch with Sam binge watching Parks and Recreation on Netflix.

VinExpo was usually the highlight of my professional year. Ten days in Bordeaux, working nonstop with meetings, networking events, practicing my French, and my favorite part of the job—tastings.

Usually I relished the opportunity to talk shop with the world’s best experts and loved visiting vineyards to see the latest varietals and growing techniques. But this year my mind and my heart were back in Havenport.

Sam and I had texted, and she had given me brief updates on her treatments, but they were short and terse. She had put up a wall between us, and I needed to be there to tear it down.

Matteo was right; my heart had been stomped on.

But you know what? I still wouldn’t trade it for anything.

For the first time in my life, I got it. I understood what people wrote songs and painted masterpieces about. Being with the right person—your person—was so life-altering and consciousness-shifting that you were never the same after.

And as much as this hurt, I had the privilege of experiencing it—that special love and lust and connection that few people ever find.

I knew she was scared. Hell, I was terrified, but we could work through anything together.

I had learned in a few short weeks that she was what had been missing from my life.

The connection we shared was unlike anything I had experienced before, and I wanted to nurture it and let it grow and flourish.

But she was convinced things had to end.

Good thing I was persistent. Because Sam was stubborn as hell and I knew it would take a long time to let her give us a chance.

But I was an expert at the waiting game, and she didn’t know it yet, but I wasn’t going anywhere.

Like it or not, she was not going to go through this journey alone.

And she could play the lone-wolf card all she wanted, but I would stick by her regardless of what happened.

By the time my plane touched down in Boston, I was going out of my mind needing to see her and let her know I had her back. Her texts had gotten progressively sadder over the course of the week. She was experiencing terrible side effects, and I could sense she was down.

So when I jumped in Matteo’s car at the airport, I made him head straight for Sam’s house. Armed with presents and funny anecdotes, I was ready to cheer her up.

I got the shock of my life when the door opened and I was tackled by a brick wall of ferocious dog, knocking me flat on my ass and growling in my face.

Judging by its face, it was at least part pit bull, and while I loved dogs, this one seemed to want to tear my balls off.

“Xena! Stop. Down!” Sam yelled, pulling her by the sparkly collar.

She knelt down, taking the dog’s face in her hands. The look of pure adoration on both of their faces hit me square in the chest. “You are so good. This is Gio, and he’s our friend. Be kind to him?”

She walked over and offered me her hand. Once I got to my feet, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug. I couldn’t help notice how frail Sam felt. It had been less than two weeks since I had held her, but she felt brittle in my arms.

Xena wandered over and sat, staring at me, until I let Sam go. It was then I noticed that she had only three legs, not that it had slowed her down at all.

I knelt down and offered my hand, letting her sniff and lick me. Then I made a move to scratch behind her ears and she let out a groan. After a few minutes of love and telling her what a good dog she was, she licked my face, clearly determining I was not a threat to Sam.

“She’s cute and more bark than bite. Just like her mom,” I said, giving Sam a wink.

She stood in the doorway, looking beautiful but tired. “She doesn’t trust people easily.” She turned and headed into the house, leaving the door open behind her.

I looked down into Xena’s big brown eyes. “I wonder where you learned that…”

I entered the house and was struck by how different everything felt. Sam was standing in the kitchen, and I could immediately tell that she was not doing well. Her face was pale and splotchy and her eyes were red. She was hunched over and wrapped in a thick sweater even though it was July.

The house was a mess, and she had clearly been sleeping on the couch, judging by the pile of pillows and blankets and the empty mugs that covered the coffee table. I opened the fridge, and just as I suspected, there was no food to be found. Several protein bar wrappers littered the coffee table.

I looked at her, proud and beautiful and deeply in denial about needing help.

Because she couldn’t do this all alone, and she didn’t have to.

I made a decision right then and there to push through her walls.

We may be just friends, but that didn’t mean I didn’t love her fiercely.

No matter how hard she tried, she was not going through this alone. No fucking way.

I grabbed my phone and started sending texts.

“What are you doing?” she asked wearily.

I led her to the couch, and Xena immediately jumped up and put her head in Sam’s lap. I made a mental note to buy her all the dog treats I could find.

“I’m calling in reinforcements. I’m home, Sam, and you’re stuck with me.”

An hour later, the cavalry arrived, stocked up and ready to help. Matteo and Val arrived first, bearing tons of food that Matteo carefully labeled and organized in the freezer. Val played with Xena in the backyard for a while before sheepishly approaching Sam with a cloth shopping tote.

“I brought you some things. To make you feel better.”

Sam smiled warmly, gesturing for Val to sit next to her. They looked through the bag together, pulling out bottles of sparkly nail polish, a dozen DVDs, including Val’s favorite, Frozen . And several books.

“Ooh, what is this?” Sam asked.

“ Keeper of the Lost Cities ,” Val explained, going into detail about the fantasy series.

“It’s soooo good. About a girl who thinks she is human but is really a magical elf and has to save the world.

I’ve read these all a few times, but I want you to read them too.

Then I can come do your nails and we can talk about it? Like a book club?”

Her voice was so hopeful my heart clenched. I really needed to buy that kid a pony at some point—she was one in a million. Tears filled Sam’s eyes, and she pulled Val in for a hug. “I would love that so much, Val.”

While Val was painting Sam’s nails, Nora arrived with Astrid and a very pregnant Cece in tow. “I come bearing gifts,” she announced, thrusting shopping bags at Sam.

“Stretchy pants, T-shirts, hoodies, and a couple of sweaters. All the comfiest, most luxurious things I carry.” She opened another bag. “Oooh…and this too.”

Nora pulled out a large pink blanket. “This is a hand-knit cashmere blanket.”

“Oh my God. I don’t need a cashmere blanket.”

Nora rolled her eyes. “You are so wrong, my friend. Everyone needs one. And you especially.” She walked toward Sam, opening the blanket wide. “I’m gonna swaddle you in comfort.”

Sam laughed as Nora draped the blanket around her, kissing the top of her head.

Sam blushed furiously. “You didn’t need to do all this,” she said, and I could hear her voice wavering.

“Of course we did,” Astrid said loudly, while stealing one of Matteo’s homemade cannoli. “You are one of us, Sam. And the coven never leaves a woman behind.”

Cece nodded. “And we are always here for you. To watch movies, talk, vent, whatever. I may be the size of a whale, but I’m still good company.” She patted her belly and stole the rest of the cannoli out of Astrid’s hand.

“You guys are too good to me.” Tears began to flow freely as the women embraced Sam.

I busied myself in the kitchen while Sam chatted with her friends.

Every few minutes she glanced over at me and smiled.

And I knew I was gone for this woman. She had no idea how much she was loved and valued.

And I intended to make sure she understood and accepted it.

She had friends and family here, a great big community filled with lovable weirdos who would do anything for her.

And she wasn’t doing this alone. I would be by her side no matter what.