(Sam's POV)

Had I ever, in my life felt this fucking nervous?

If so, I couldn't think of a time. My ears were itching, my palms sweaty and I had changed my outfit four times. Four fucking times... I had to berate myself because I wasn't a goddamned preteen girl.

I wasn't sure what it was but something in our texts had felt different in the last day. More flirty, or open? I wasn't exactly sure what it was. But, my heart was pounding with all the possibilities.

I'd offered to pick her up at Lee and Declans and was on my way there now.

I smiled when I saw Tasha's name pop on my dashboard. I had texted her that we were going out tonight and I could just imagine her celebrating.

"Hey, you don't even understand how nervous I am."

Her voice sounded off. "What? Why?"

Immediately my gut dropped. "What's wrong?"

She paused for a second and I realised she was checking our messages when she said, "Shit Sam! That's awesome. I'm sorry I didn't know."

I waved it off and then when she didn't say anything, I remembered she couldn't see me. "Don't worry. What's up?"

"It's not that big of a deal, Tanya and I had a fight. We can talk about it tomorrow."

I wouldn't be able to not worry about it, now that I knew. "I've got like 5 minutes now, why don't you tell me?"

"Ugh. K but I'm making it fast and then you're going to go and have the most amazing first date." The sound of my turn signal filled the car, her silence letting me know how bothered she was, and I patiently waited for her to continue.

"I told her that she should come back to Ottawa with me. Stay with me to finish high school and then figure out where she wants to go from there."

Tanya was just as independent as Tash, she wouldn't take kindly to being told what to do, regardless of the good intentions. "I take it that she didn't like that idea?"

Tasha laughed harshly. "She told me that just because I ran out of here like a scared little girl, didn't mean she was going to."

Jesus.

"That's not fair. You know that's not true, right? Does she not remember what coming out did for you? You were a target. You had to leave for your own safety."

Her voice was quiet. "I know that but I tried to shield her from most of it. We got heated and both said some things we didn't mean... at least I hope she didn't mean them. Sorry. All day it's been eating at me but she hasn't come home yet and I just needed to talk about it."

I looked at the dash. "Is that normal? For her to be out past dinner time?"

Her sigh carried through the bluetooth. "My parents say she probably has practice or something."

Or something... fuck her parents suck balls.

"She said something else, too." She paused before speaking incredibly fast. "Tanya thinks that I emotionally wrecked you and you've never recovered. Her exact words... with an added opinion that I'm a cold heartless bitch."

Ouch.

"Tash, you can't help who you love. You told me as soon as you knew and I chose for us to stay friends. Your friendship always meant more to me than anything else. She's just lashing out, don't let it get to you, K?"

I could hear sobs through the speaker and rubbed one hand over the ache in my chest. Tash didn't cry. "Thank you. I'm sorry to bring down your mood."

"No problem. I have the ability to feel lots of things. Hopefully she gets home soon and you guys can talk it out." I let her think about that for a moment before adding on. "Just think about how you feel when someone orders you around. Maybe start easing into the idea of her leaving. Of her coming with you."

I pulled into Lee and Declan's driveway. "Look, I just pulled in but thanks. You distracted me from my nerves."

Her laugh was genuine and eased the worry that had my shoulders tense. "My plan all along. Have fun tonight. I'll call in the morning."

We hung up and I put the truck in park but sat there, needing to collect my thoughts. I couldn't seem to stop worrying that she was back home handling our hometown shittiness without me.

I went to open the truck door and my hands slipped on the door handle.

Apparently still god damned nervous.

I got out of the truck and immediately panicked. What if Lucy wanted to shake hands in greeting? It was as I was viciously wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans that I realised how ridiculous I was being. We were well beyond a handshake.

I knocked twice and she opened the door almost immediately.

Sweet Jesus.

She was wearing a pair of leather leggings and a cream sweater that had her curves on full display. One tan shoulder was hanging out and her dark curls hung in ringlets over top of the bare shoulder.

It took everything in me to clench my hands and not reach out. To not touch one of those bouncy curls.

I blinked, my brain stunned. "I don't think I knew what the word breathtaking meant until this moment."

I hadn't meant to say it out loud but when I saw her blush and hide her smile, I couldn't regret it.

She raised her eyebrows at me. "Smooth, Sam... I didn't realise you were so smooth."

My hands seemed to have a will, all of their own and reached out to tug one little curl. I watched transfixed at how it bounced back up. Then her words registered. "Not smooth. No, noPe. Have you met me? I'm... I'm not smooth at all."

I stopped talking, well aware of the fact that I was stuttering. As she bent down to put on her boots, laughing. "Thank you. You look pretty great yourself." I looked down at my army green, khaki shirt and jeans.

"Thanks, you look great too." I realised I had now said that twice and that she seemed to find me more and more amusing with each bumbling sentence. Her smile flashed, lighting up the room.

Pull it together, Taylor.

I swallowed hard. "You ready?"

Lucy nodded and I stood on the porch waiting while she locked up. As I walked her over to the passenger side and opened the door for her, she tossed me a surprised look. I gave her a wink. "Mama Taylor taught me right."

I closed her door and walked around to my own side climbing in as she asked, "Don't you think it's crazy that they all had to cancel?"

Turning the truck on and backing out, I waited to respond. I had my own theories about that "craziness" but wasn't one to shoot a gift horse in the mouth and so shrugged. "I'm just glad we could still make it."

I took my eyes off the road for a moment and caught that beaming smile again. I breathed deep, excitement zinging through my entire being.

This was mutual.

"What did you get up to today?"

She rubbed her own palms up and down her thighs and I couldn't help but wonder if she was nervous too. Before I could overthink it, I reached over and laced one of our hands together, using only my left hand to drive. Our grins matched as we both looked down at our hands and then back at the road.

"Declan had to work last night and since Lee just got back, I tried to get out of the house to give them some alone time. I went out and did the Fallsview hike and grabbed a coffee from Jolts."

She's perfect.

The fact that she liked hiking enough to go by herself, added to my interest. If there's a possibility for me to be outside, that was where I was going to be." You should've messaged me. It was such a slow day and I could've met up with you." It was one of the perks of working in a small town. Some days were nice and light.

The parking downtown was often complete rubbish and tonight it appeared to be exceptionally busy. "Okay if we park at the station and walk up?" I gave a pointed look at Lucy's feet, which were encased in booted heels.

Her look was incredulous. "I can keep up."

As we walked towards the brewery it was the most natural thing to reach for her hand again and link our fingers.

Hand in hand, we walked into the brewery. Josie's dad, Jon, was the owner of our local watering hole. He met us at the door, enveloping Lucy in a big hug and giving me a handshake. "Josie messaged and said you guys weren't coming?"

It was Lucy who answered, "They aren't coming but we decided to still come in for dinner. Hope that's okay."

Jon's eyes scanned the restaurant. "I'm sorry. I gave away your table. Are you guys okay with waiting?"

Lucy reached out and touched his arm. "It's just fine, Jon."

I added in a reassuring smile, knowing he was a worrier. "Absolutely there's no rush." He gave me a wink as he got called away and I reached down and reconnected our hands.

Would she be okay with never letting go?

"Hope that's okay?"

Her golden eyes met mine. "Since it's gonna be a bit, do you want to walk around town and window shop?" Hand and hand we strolled out onto the front walk and I felt my heart pound a little bit harder.

It was absurd how much I already liked this woman.