The Call (Another Love Book 2), page 14
Sam lifted her lukewarm coffee from the table in front of her, sipping it while she contemplated the strongly worded email she would soon send to Ben Paynter. Cheryl may only be an assistant to some people, but she had been with Sam for a long time. Cheryl had seen her through some of the toughest times of Sam’s life; Lucia would appreciate everything she’d done.
And if it wasn’t for Cheryl, I wouldn’t have met Luciana.
That thought sunk in, shocking Sam. She had never thought about the fact that it was Cheryl who gave her the business card to Hush last year. Even though she felt embarrassed for taking it, for looking up escorts, Cheryl had, in fact, brought them together. Oh, wow…
Luciana stood at the kitchen island, swirling ice around in her glass. Sam had taken herself off to bed, Susan was still pottering around, and Luciana was about to pour one hell of a measure of scotch. She eyed the clock. 7:40 in the evening. The thought of climbing into bed appealed to her, but another sleepless night wasn’t on the cards. No way. Sam could do without Luciana tossing and turning beside her; she really needed the uninterrupted hours to help her recover. So, Luciana grabbed her bottle of Macallan, took her glass, and headed for the couch.
The TV played low as she flicked through the channels. Spotting a football match that was about to kick off, she filled her glass, relaxed back, and lifted her feet onto the coffee table. This would take her mind off everything for a little while. So long as Sam was comfortable upstairs, and she was—Luciana had checked twenty minutes ago to find her snoring—she, herself, could relax.
“Luciana, love…”
“Yeah?” She looked back towards the kitchen, Susan was putting her coat on.
“I’m headed out, okay?”
“Okay.” Luciana shot to her feet, seeing Sam’s mum out of the door. She hoped she didn’t look too enthusiastic, but she really had been waiting to wind down since around midday. “Sorry about today. Things haven’t quite settled down yet.”
Susan kissed Luciana’s cheek. “Don’t worry yourself about it. Sam will be okay soon.”
“Hope so.”
“If anyone can come back, it’s my Sam. I’ll be over tomorrow, okay?” Susan moved out onto the decking, her car keys jangling in her hand.
“Don’t worry if you have things to do. We’re okay here.”
“I’ll call you in the morning. Goodnight, love.”
“Night, Susan.”
Luciana closed the door, watching Susan back away from the house. She pressed a button to the side of the front door, alarming the house and lowering the shades on the floor-to-ceiling windows. Now that her and Sam were locked away, Luciana could truly unwind.
But then her phone started to ring.
“For the love of fucking God!” Luciana lifted it, accepting the call. “Hi, Linds. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just checking in with you. How’s Sam?”
“Sleeping. Snoring. Still deaf.”
Lindsay chuckled. “Mm. I always told her she snored. I even recorded her once and she told me it wasn’t her.”
“Mmhmm. She tells me she doesn’t snore, too.”
“So…I called because I think I ended things with Janet.” Lindsay’s voice held an element of relief. “She seems okay. I mean, she sounded upset when I called her and told her I needed some time with everything that’s happened, but she hasn’t shown up…”
“That’s good.”
“Should I be wondering if it’s too good to be true?”
Luciana released a deep breath. “Honestly? I don’t know.” She was too tired for all of this. Sam was her priority, not fucking Janet Mason. But Lindsay meant a lot to her and while Sam couldn’t defend her sister, Luciana would step in. “I think you should lock your door and if anyone calls, don’t let them up.”
“Well, that’s filled me with hope.”
“It’s all I can offer you right now, Linds. If Sam was okay, I’d come and stay with you. But I really need to be here.”
“No, I don’t need you to stay with me. I’m perfectly fine here alone. I just wanted your opinion because I was under the impression that Janet would kick up a fuss.”
There’s still plenty of time for that. “She’s probably looking for a new project since Sam cancelled everything at the office. Maybe you broke it off with her at the right time. She has something to distract her. You know, since she’s a fucking child!”
“O-oh. She did?”
“She had to. She’s in no fit state to work.”
“No, I know.” Lindsay fell silent for a moment. “I, uh, I was thinking about contacting Cheryl.”
Luciana’s lips turned upward. “Yeah?”
“But I don’t know what to say to her.”
“Just be honest. That’s all you can do. If Cheryl wants to get involved with you again, she will.”
“But what about Sam?”
“You really think Sam will fire Cheryl because she’s dating her sister?” Luciana’s brow creased. “I know you said Sam believes business should remain business, but you’re not employed by her. You have no connection to the business whatsoever.”
“I know. Just…worried for Cheryl.”
“Trust me, Sam will be thrilled if you two get together.”
“Maybe, I don’t know.” Lindsay cleared her throat. “Sounds like the match is about to start so I’ll say goodnight and speak to you soon, okay?”
Luciana sensed that something was on Lindsay’s mind. “Linds?”
“Y-yeah?”
“Is everything okay with you?” Lindsay fell silent. “Hello?”
“Has Sam mentioned me at all?” Lindsay’s voice wavered. “About wanting to see me or needing me to come over?”
“She’s been kinda moody today. She hasn’t said much unless she was biting someone’s head off. Usually mine. Occasionally your mum’s.”
“Right, yeah.”
“Why don’t you send her a text in the morning?” Luciana suggested.
“I already did that,” Lindsay confessed. “Never mind.”
Luciana’s brows drew together. “And she didn’t respond?”
“Oh, she did. Told me not to contact her. Something about how I should be happy she’s hurt.”
“Fucking hell.” Luciana really needed to speak to Sam. None of this was healthy and something at the back of Luciana’s mind told her that Lindsay was soon going to need the both of them. “She doesn’t mean it, Linds.”
“She won’t even let me apologise. I’ve tried twice.”
“I think once she’s feeling better, she will want to see you.”
“Hope so…”
“Call me if you need anything.” Luciana really didn’t want to play piggy in the middle, so Sam was going to have to get a grip of her attitude. This…it was all unnecessary.
“I will. Bye, Luce.”
Luciana ended the call and threw her phone to the opposite end of the couch. Hearing footsteps descending the stairs, she glanced over her shoulder, finding a dishevelled Sam walking barefoot towards her.
Sam climbed onto the couch beside Luciana, pulling the thick fleece throw down from the back of the couch. Covering herself and Luciana’s lap, Sam curled up against Luciana’s body and held her tight. Luciana could only wrap her arm around Sam. It didn’t appear that her girlfriend was in the mood for pointless conversation via notepad, so Luciana wouldn’t bother. Sam was warm, snuggly against her. Sam was breathing…and that was what mattered.
13
Luciana rubbed her temples, willing the headache approaching to disappear. Sam’s mum had been at the house for the last two hours, and Luciana’s patience was beginning to wear thin. She appreciated that Susan was here to look after Sam—to help in many ways—but she hadn’t stopped talking for the last hour. Luciana, in this moment, wished she was in Sam’s position lying on the couch with no idea what was going on around her.
“So, as I said to Lindsay…I can stay with you two for as long as you need me to.”
Huh? What? Luciana’s heart stopped. Was Susan suggesting she stay over until Sam had recovered? No. That wouldn’t work. Luciana didn’t need it and Sam would deplore the idea.
“Then you can go to work as normal, love.”
Luciana climbed down from the kitchen stool. She needed some time to herself. “Oh, that’s okay. Work have given me as long as I need off, and I’m fine here looking after Sam.”
“Then we will do it together.” Susan beamed, catching Luciana by the wrist as she passed her by. “I’m glad she has you in her life.”
“Yeah.” Luciana didn’t have the patience or energy to argue with Susan. Five days had passed since the accident. Sam’s overall health was improving, but Luciana wasn’t sleeping. She hadn’t since the first night at home with Sam. She was used to running on empty, but this was different. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Sam lying lifeless on the floor. Luciana couldn’t get to her, she couldn’t fix her, but her body remained in a prone position…no signs of life. “I need some air.”
“Okay, love. I’ll see if our Sam needs anything.”
“Right, yeah.” Running her fingers through her hair, Luciana disappeared out onto the decking, slumping down in an over-sized chair.
She just needed a moment to herself. A moment when nobody was talking at her rather than to her. Susan belonged here, she was Sam’s mother, but Luciana couldn’t take much more. The headache medication she’d taken over an hour ago hadn’t helped; her head felt as though it would explode before the afternoon was over.
Luciana glanced back through the window. Sam was still lying in the same position. Her tired eyes flickered open and closed as she focused on the TV; pointless daytime shows playing on repeat like a torture device. Sam was too sophisticated to watch daytime TV. She should be at the office working on her project. A project which had been cancelled until future notice. Luciana knew how upsetting it was for Sam to have to cancel; she knew how much deadlines meant to her girlfriend, but Sam was alive and that’s what Luciana focused on.
Resting her head back, Luciana sighed, focusing on the sky above her. Cloudy. Grey. Miserable. Kinda like their life right now. Sam was still angry—short with Luciana whenever they woke beside one another—but it would pass. It had to.
As tiredness started to take over, Luciana revelled in that weightlessness she often felt as she was going to sleep. A weightlessness she hadn’t experienced since before the explosion. She smiled and closed her eyes. Just five minutes and I’ll be good to go.
“Where’s Luce, Mum?” Sam stood at the kitchen island, grey yoga pants covering her legs, a white sweater hanging from her shoulders. “Mum?”
Susan turned around, pointing towards the staircase.
“Is she sleeping?”
Susan shrugged.
“Okay, well I’m going up for a few hours.” Sam didn’t wait for a response from her mum, turning and taking the spiral staircase slowly. She missed Luciana. She wanted to be in her arms while they snuggled in bed together. It didn’t matter that the sun was shining outside; Sam was ready for cooler evenings. Luciana was avoiding her, Sam knew that, but she was feeling more positive this afternoon. Her late morning nap had been the best she’d had in a while.
As Sam approached the open bedroom door, she heard mumbling. It was clearer than what she’d been able to hear yesterday, but Luciana didn’t know her hearing was improving. She wasn’t keeping it from her for the sake of it, Sam simply didn’t want Luciana to get her hopes up. Because that’s the first thing that would happen. Luciana would be beside herself with happiness, while Sam wouldn’t feel so much joy. She was thrilled to be able to hear—even if it was dulled—but she wasn’t recovered yet. So, the party could wait a while. The last five days had been hard for them both, but as Sam moved closer to the door, hearing Luciana’s voice settled her.
“No, I’ll talk to her,” Luciana said, Sam straining to hear. “You’re okay?”
Who the hell was Luciana talking to?
“Okay, well if you need me just call. Leave Sam to me.”
Sam’s eyebrows rose, the cut to her head tight as she pushed the door open slowly. Luciana smiled fully, unaware that Sam had heard her conversation.
“I have to go. She just came in here.”
Sam folded her arms across her chest, staring blankly at her girlfriend.
“God, I hate seeing her like this.” Luciana continued to smile. “It’s heartbreaking. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Sam moved towards the bedroom window, wrapping her arms around her body as she did. Luciana was hiding something from her, she had to be. The issue Sam faced right now was that she didn’t want to get into another argument with her. She felt Luciana approach, her hand settling on Sam’s shoulder.
“Who was on the phone?”
Nothing.
Silence.
Sam turned around to find Luciana scribbling on the notepad.
Lindsay. She was asking about you. She wondered if she could come over?
“We haven’t really spoken about what happened…” Sam shrugged.
That could be because she knew you had more important stuff going on.
Sam shrugged, wishing Luciana would speak to her. Use her voice. I should tell her. Sam desperately wanted life to feel better. “We should talk. I was a complete bitch to her a couple of days ago when she texted me. She tried to apologise but I wouldn’t listen. Well, I couldn’t listen, but you know.”
Luciana attempted to write something down, Sam’s hand stopping her as she placed it on her wrist. “Don’t.”
“B-bu—” Luciana frowned.
“Talk to me. I need to hear your voice.” Sam took the notepad from Luciana, throwing it to the bed. “Come closer and talk to me.”
The confusion in Luciana’s eyes was apparent. The little frown line between her eyebrows had always been cute to Sam, but she wanted to put her girlfriend out of her misery.
“Luce…”
“I-I…” Luciana narrowed her eyes, moving closer and dipping her head towards Sam’s ear. “Marry me.”
Sam’s heart pounded. Had she heard Luciana right? She couldn’t have. Surely not. Sam stepped back, focusing on Luciana’s soft features. Her intense blue eyes. They had life back in them. “S-sorry, what?”
Luciana stepped forward, her fingers curling under Sam’s chin. Tilting her head back, Luciana smiled into a kiss. “I said…marry me.”
Sam’s bottom lip trembled as Luciana’s forehead pressed against her own. When Luciana looked at Sam how she was in this moment, Sam would give her the world. In a heartbeat. When everything else fell away and only Luciana remained in front of her, Sam could drop to her knees. “I-I.”
“Please.” Luciana’s eyes begged Sam. “Please, be my wife.”
Sam’s forehead creased. Why was she even thinking about her answer? “Y-yes.”
Luciana’s eyes widened. “Yes? You actually mean that?”
“I mean it.”
Luciana lifted Sam, forgetting momentarily that she was likely to still be in pain from the explosion. Sam didn’t appear to care as she wrapped her legs around Luciana’s waist, her arms around her neck. “Babe…” Luciana paused, kissing Sam hard. “God, I love you.”
“I love you, too. And I’m sorry. For lashing out at you,” Sam whispered against Luciana’s lips.
“Don’t ever be sorry. You’ve been through a lot. I’ll always be here for you.” Luciana lay Sam down on their bed, kicking the bedroom door shut before joining her. Her body screamed at her for sleep, but she was too hyped right now. Sam had just accepted her spontaneous proposal; there was no chance of coming by sleep any time soon. Luciana lay beside Sam, their fingers entwined as she took her hand. “You can hear me?”
“It’s not great, but yes. I can hear you.”
“Since when?”
“Yesterday afternoon, it started to come back,” Sam explained. “I just didn’t want to get your hopes up in case it didn’t stay that way.”
“I can’t believe you can hear me.” Luciana’s voice broke. Every morning when she woke, she prayed Sam would feel better—that she would be better. She always believed Sam’s hearing would one day return, but this soon? She hadn’t expected it. “How are you feeling?”
Sam focused on the ceiling above her. “Tired…but so in love.”
Luciana shifted closer, sharing Sam’s pillow. “I’d do anything for you, babe. All I want is for us to be happy. I need you to be happy.”
“I’m happy. And once I’m back to normal, life will be good again.”
Luciana knew she needed to discuss Lindsay with Sam, but was this moment the right time to do so? The quicker it was out of the way, the more chance of Sam and Lindsay reconciling. “Should I call Lindsay?”
“Can you ask her to come over tonight?” Sam asked. “When Mum has gone?”
“Oh, uh…” Luciana chewed her bottom lip. “About that. Your mum thinks she’s staying over until you’re better.”
Sam sat upright, shaking her head. “Nope. Not in a million fucking years.”
“Babe. Relax.” Luciana tugged her back down beside her. “She will still be here later. There is no rush to explain that we don’t need help.”
“I don’t want her to get comfortable. And when you talk…could you talk a little louder, please?”
“Yes, darling.” Luciana smirked, focusing on Sam’s eyes as she turned on her side and faced Luciana fully. “Anything else you need right now? Meds?”
“Sleep,” Sam said, aware that she’d only woken up a few hours ago. The more she slept, the sooner this nightmare would all be over. “And then when we wake up, you can tell me all about that phone call to Lindsay.”
“W-what?”
“You asked her if she was okay. And the only reason I’m not worried right now is because you’re lying here and not rushing out the door like a bat out of hell.”
