“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 somethingnicenice. 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 wasamazing.”
“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.
* * *
Sam pushed his way back from the bar with two Dos Equis. Claim Jumpers wasn’t packed, but there were plenty of people there for a night made for lovers. Coach Fortner was there too, playing darts at the far end of the bar. Sam skipped that hello. They’d said what’s up to Evie and Zach and he’d introduced Amanda to Britany and Delfi, the ranch’s executive chef, general manager, and Evie’s childhood best friends. They’d offered to pull another table over to turn their double date into a party of six, but he’d shared Amanda with his family all day. He wanted some time alone before she had to go back to Los Angeles and the stress of her job.
They found a two-top opposite the dance floor. Amanda held the table while Sam waited at the bar, accepting a few congratulations on his Oscar win from Brett the bartender and two older white women at the bar he’d never seen before. When he came back Amanda was shimmying her shoulders to the Carrie Underwood blasting through the speakers.
“Ah, thank you,” she said, taking the ice-cold beer from his hand.
“You’re welcome.”
“Let me get a little loose and then I’ll put it on you on the dance floor.” Sam watched as she took a deep swig of her beer.
“Is that right, Cha-Cha?” Sam asked before he took a sip of his own. He was stopping after one beer so he could drive them home.
“Oh, yes it is. I know what you like. I know you want this bawdy,” she said, rolling her shoulders. He tried not to notice the way her tits jiggled, and failed. Now that things were back on and they were moving in the right direction, he was looking forward to picking up where they left off in the bedroom.
“You’re right. I’m all about that bawdy, but—”
“Oh, is this our first one-on-one?”
“And then right on to fantasy suites. You’ve already got a hometown.”
Amanda gasped, leaning forward. “You’re telling me you watchThe Bachelor? Please tell me you watchThe Bachelor.”
“Lilah watchesThe Bachelor.”
“Are her parents local?” Amanda asked, her brows scrunching together. She was probably wondering why she lived with Miss Leona instead of with her own parents or in her own place.