Page 49 of Run Home

“Maybe it’s because you and I were on the sidelines together watching Griffin find his person—maybe that’s what initially shifted the way I felt about you,” I say. “Because it was so easy to look over and see you beside me. You were already there, and you were everything I thought I could ever want in my person.”

Despite the fact that this is only a video call, the tension between us is palpable. It’s like a living, sentient being in the conversation with us, and I worry that I’ve been too serious. Too honest about how I feel.

I cut the tension with a joke. “Besides, you asked me to be your coconspirator in getting Griff and Danae together, so you proved you know how to have a good time.”

Sam laughs. “You and that otter personality. Never-ending playtime with Adrian Ortiz.”

“You know the way to my heart,” I say with a grin. “But also, I saw you in a totally different light with Jason. You were there for Danae in a way that no one else could be during that transition. You showed so much strength in how you used your own hard experiences to help Jason and Danae.” Memories of my mom sweep into my mind, but I swiftly send them out the back door.

Sam’s face is pensive, and I hope I didn’t trigger more painful memories. “You were an avalanche, Sam. Little things you said and did kept shifting my thoughts about you from friendship to attraction until I was buried in it. Until I realized that you were all I wanted to think about—and not in a ‘just friends’ way.”

Her eyes crinkle as she smiles, and I’m grateful for the sign of reassurance. This is new territory we’re exploring—connecting beyond friendship. Beyond jokes and lighthearted connection.

The real stuff.

And even though I’m not always the most perceptive guy, it’s obvious that I need to tread lightly. Because it’s obvious that Sam has been deeply hurt in the past.

Which makes me want to hurt some people.

But since that won’t help anything, I’m going to focus on demonstrating to Sam that I’ll always treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Like treasure.

Chapter twenty

Sam

As I exit the doors of the cosmetology school building for the last time, I take an enormous breath, pulling oxygen into the deepest corners of my lungs.

I did it. I really did it.

My giant duffel bag filled with the mannequin head, instructional books, and random hair products weighs down my shoulder as I press against the door. When I step onto the sidewalk, I’m hit with a handful of confetti.

“What the . . . ?” I exclaim as I register Jason, Danae, Griffin, and Alice all standing there smiling at me. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Happy graduation!” Jason yells as he bounds over to hug me.

The duffel slips from my shoulder to my elbow with the impact of his embrace, and Griffin strides forward to take the bag off my arm. He wraps his other arm around my shoulders in a side hug and says, “Congrats, sis! You’re a real hair person now!”

“Stylist,” Danae corrects him. “Hair stylist. And Samantha is going to be the best one ever.” She hugs me next as soon as Jason lets go, followed by Alice.

“You guys are the sweetest! I wasn’t expecting such a grand exit!” I say.

“This is just the beginning! At Griffin’s house we have more—” Jason is cut off with a hard glare, and he changes course. “I mean, at Griffin’s house we, uh, we have food.”

“Well, good thing I like food,” I tell Jason, my heart dancing. “We’d better get over there.”

Danae bends to the ground scooping up shreds of confetti. “Let’s clean this up real quick, Jason. We don’t want to leave the mess and get Sammi in trouble.”

I laugh as I crouch down to help. “I don’t think I’ll get in trouble, but we can clean it up anyway.” After throwing away the bits of paper, we make a plan to get to Griffin’s house. Danae offers to give me a ride back here to get my car when she and Jason go home, so I ride with Alice to show her the way.

“How does it feel?” she asks. “First, you start dating the man of every woman’s dreams. Then, you graduate top of the class from cosmetology school. You’re riding high.”

Scoffing, I tell her there’s no such thing as top of the class at cosmetology school. "It’s not even really a ‘class’ since everyone gets the hours done at different paces. But yes, my extremely thoughtful boyfriend is the man of every woman’s dreams, so I’m definitely living my best life.”

“First of all, you were clearly the best stylist in there. Every time I came in to have you color my hair, all the other students were either sneaking glances or staring at your every move,” Alice says. “Secondly, when will Adrian be back in town? It’s kinda terrible that you declare feelings for each other only to have him leave.”

“He gets back late Sunday night. We’re spending Monday together because they have a rare day off,” I say. “But we texted every day this week while he’s gone. And we were able to video call twice. So it’s not like we haven’t talked.” Alice glances over with a look. I admit, “Okay, yeah, it’s been torture not seeing him in person since that first night. I wake up every morning panicked that I made it all up and have to read back through our message history to remind myself that he really likes me.”

“There’s also the infamous photo you told me about. I’m sure you could look at that any time you’re tempted to doubt reality,” Alice says.