Page 31 of Run Home

Illogically, I’m addicted to moments with Sam. And I already planned ahead to steal a few extra.

Rather than driving toward Griffin’s house, I take a detour. Sam is busy filling me in on her conversation with Marcia and her plans to visit in the future, so she doesn’t seem to notice the wrong directions we’re taking until I pull up to the sushi restaurant.

I park right in front of the building, and Sam looks over at me with a curious smile. She says, “I was kidding about the sushi. The food tonight was top shelf. And this place has to be closed by now.”

Unbuckling my seat belt, I grin at her. “It is closed for everyone else. But not for those who pull strings. I believe we danced off all the dinner already, and there’s some conch sushi inside that you’ve been dreaming about.”

Sam unbuckles her seat belt with an eager grin, and I race around to help her out of the low sports car. As sorely tempted as I am to keep ahold of her hand, I reluctantly let it drop as we walk up to the restaurant. When I knock on the door, it’s a matter of seconds before the owner opens it for us.

“Thank you for letting us come in late tonight, Mrs. Liu,” I say, placing one hand on the small of Sam’s back to usher her inside.

Mrs. Liu waves me off like it’s not a big deal. “Of course. You must have the sushi fresh! You can’t take an hour old. I kept our best sushi chef late tonight. Come sit,” she says as she motions us to follow her.

When we reach the sushi bar, I pull out one of the tall stools and take Sam’s hand to help her scoot up onto it. I’m taking any and every small excuse to have her hand in mine, every tiny window of opportunity to touch her tonight.

The sushi chef behind the bar asks what we want to order. I ask for Sam’s favorite roll but tell him to surprise us with the other choices.

It turns out sitting at the bar watching the chef in action is the best way to enjoy sushi. He gives us a couple of pieces of sashimi to eat while we watch him layer the intricate rolls. Sam asks questions about the process and what his training looked like. By the time all is said and done, we have a new best friend and stomachs stuffed full with four different specialty rolls plus three pieces of sashimi apiece.

Leaning back to stretch, I groan. “I’ve never been so happily overstuffed in my life. I’m gonna regret this tomorrow when I have to run.”

Sam matches my pose and pats her stomach. “Best nightcap ever.”

While Sam chats with the chef and thanks him for the food and artistry, I pay for the sushi, including a large tip for the chef and an extra stipend for opening the restaurant up to us. I hope Mrs. Liu will happily repeat the open doors if Sam gives me an open door into her life.

The ride from the restaurant to Griffin’s house is abnormally quiet. Sam hums along to the music, seemingly lost in her thoughts. There’s so much unspoken between us after tonight—so many things I want to say but don’t know how to get out. She shifts in the seat to cross her left leg over her right, the slit of her dress revealing her bare knee in the process.

If so many things weren’t left unsaid, maybe I’d reach over and place my hand on her knee. Maybe she’d place her hand on top of mine. Maybe I’d take her hand and bring it up to my lips, pressing a kiss to her perfect fingers. Maybe she’d lean across the console and kiss my cheek.

But it’s all unsaid.

And I need to find the way to say it.

Chapter thirteen

Sam

The sound of Adrian’s car fades as he pulls out of Griffin’s driveway. My pulse thrums in my throat as I lean against the closed front door, staring into the dark house.

What in the world was that?

Chapter fourteen

Adrian

I’ve just parked in the players section of the Crowns stadium lot for pregame batting practice when a text from Griffin comes through.

WEST

You free to meet for dinner tonight after the game? We haven’t caught up in a while.

ME

Yeah, I want to hear about this talk show gig. Where should I meet you?

Let me guess. Capital Grille?

WEST