“Shit. You look so nice,” she said, beaming. Sam’s own smile already matched hers. He figured out then exactly what it was. Not just her humor or her sex appeal or the Disney princess way animals gravitated toward her. Or how she didn’t realize how rare any of that was. Even some of the kindest, funniest people he’d ever met didn’t have that bright energy. Sam couldn’t get enough of it and more than that, he wanted to be the one to help refill that well of happiness, whenever she needed him.

He wasn’t gonna tell her that shit though. Not yet. He’d learned his lesson and knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of too much, way too soon. He settled for pulling her into a hug.

“So do you. You look gorgeous.”

“Nah,” Amanda said as she stepped out of his embrace, looking him up and down again. “I mean I look retail supervisor adorable, but I wish I’d packed something nice nice. I’m feeling the bolo tie.”

“Thanks. It was a gift. Oh, speaking of gifts.” Sam handed her the large envelope. “It’s from my grandmother.” Amanda wasted no time reaching inside. She pulled out two signed headshots from Miss Leona.

“Seriously. My mom is gonna die. I might die too, but I’ll do it privately this time. I’ve embarrassed myself enough. Let me just put these up and we can go.” Sam stepped into her room and she set the pictures on top of her duffel bag on the love seat. She grabbed her purse, then grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway.

“Excited?” Sam laughed as he hurried after her.

“Yeah, actually. You were right. I needed this. Also. Oh my God.” Amanda stopped and spun around just as they stepped back into the lobby. “That massage was amazing.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.” She spun around and kept walking. Sam sped up so he was right by her side. They both waved goodbye to Naomi, then stepped back out into the night.

“Oh, friggity fuck. Should I get my coat?” Amanda said.

“I can keep you warm. If you’ll let me.”

“Oh, I’ll let you, Tex,” she said, winking at him as he opened the passenger-side door for her.

“It’ll be plenty warm inside the bar and we don’t have to spend any time outside unless you want to.”

“I don’t want to. Show me this bar.”

“Let’s do it.” Sam slowly pulled to the end of the drive before turning around and driving Amanda into the night.

* * *