Drawn To You (Taking Chances #3) (13 page)

“I promise you I wrote one. I might have a few drafts still saved somewhere if you want to see it.”

“A few drafts? I can’t believe you put so much effort into it. On second thought, maybe I can.”

“I wanted to get my handwriting just right. I didn’t want to get docked for bad penmanship.”

“Forget the penmanship. I’m taking off major points for lateness since I never got it.”

“That’s not a big surprise though considering how much stuff you had in there. It probably got lost or thrown away.”

“You’re trying to put the blame on me?”

Lucas held up his hands and shrugged. “I’m only offering an explanation.”

“Fine. It’s a plausible one.” She crossed her arms. “But why did you turn me down when I asked you to go?”

“I had asked Lauren by then.”

“You could’ve at least told me about the letter. I was so mad at you for rejecting me.”

“I know. I didn’t want to risk upsetting you even more by telling you I broke into your locker,” he added with a sheepish smile.

“That’s a lame reason.”

“Yes, it was. I always wondered what would have happened if I had. Who knows though. God had another plan for us, a better one.”

Sam groaned. “Still lame.”

The sparkle in her brown eyes made him smile. “I want to make it up to you.” He took a postcard out from his back pocket and held it up. “You know what this is?”

“The reminder card for our ten-year reunion.”

“Our reunion dinner
and
dance. Will you be my date? I promise I’ll try not to step on you with my lead feet.”

She grinned. “Only if you promise to catch me if I fall?”

“The question is not if, but when. But yes, I promise.”

“It’s a deal then.” Sam stuck out her hand.

Lucas took it and pulled her close. “No more handshakes.”

“Giving me rules now, are you, Stickler?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, that’s one rule that I don’t mind following.”

He claimed her mouth once more as joy flooded his heart. He had Sam back right where he wanted her to be, and this time he was not going to let her go.

TEN

“Get your hands off me! My boyfriend’s a cop!” Sam shoved the large hands gripping her waist from behind, and kicked her right foot back, making contact with a kneecap.

“Sammie!”

The voice coming from outside her car sounded familiar. Too familiar. She spun around in the backseat where she had been reaching for a bag and came face to face with Lucas. His pained expression made her gasp. “I’m sorry, babe, I didn’t know it was you.”

“I gathered that when you stabbed me with your heel,” he grimaced as he rubbed a red mark near the hem of his shorts. “I don’t think I can dance tomorrow night.”

She stood up and planted her hands on her hips. “What made you think it’d be a good idea to sneak up on me like that?”

“It’s broad daylight,” he retorted with palms raised, “and you’re parked in my driveway. Don’t worry, lesson learned. I’ll announce my presence loud and clear next time.” Cupping his hands around his mouth, he pretended to shout, “This is Lucas Choi, that charming, goodlooking guy you like to kiss, approaching from your right.”

“Charming and goodlooking? I may need to check your ID. On second thought, there’s another way to confirm who you are.” Grinning, she grabbed a fistful of his cotton T-shirt and pulled him close and planted her mouth firmly on his. Lucas drew her closer and deepened the kiss, causing her knees to go weak. It was such a clichéd saying, but it described exactly how she felt.

Four weeks had passed since they started dating and she still couldn’t believe she got to kiss this man whenever she wanted. The fact that she had found someone who loved her for who she was and wanted to be with her was nothing short of amazing. Much like the beautiful colors of the changing leaves on the trees around them. Nature was beginning a new season and so was she. She pulled back for a moment to look into those light brown eyes that were fixed on her, only her. “I think you’re feeling better. Those were definitely groans of pleasure.”

“Your kisses have healing powers,” Lucas murmured against her lips. “A couple more and I’ll be good as new.”

“Great”—she smiled and let go of his shirt—“because you
are
dancing at the reunion.”

Lucas held onto the car door and leaned his weight against it with an exaggerated motion. “I can hardly stand; the pain’s so great. See how big the bruise is?”

“Oh, come on, you big baby.” Sam gave him a playful slap on the arm. “You promised. I’ve been waiting ten years to dance with you again.”

“And it’s been ten years since I last danced. It’s not going to be pretty.”

“No more excuses.”

As if on cue, her phone rang and the chorus from “Shut Up and Dance” flowed from inside the car. Sam grabbed her phone off the center console and held it up in front of Lucas. “This is a sign if there ever was one.”

“That’s a sign of something, all right.”

Sam turned the screen around and came face to face with her mother’s trademark glare, or staredown as she and her sisters had nicknamed it. What was she calling about now? Pressing the answer button, she braced herself for a lecture. “Hi, Ma, how are you?” She paused to listen. “Yes, the reunion’s tonight. What am I wearing? A dress.” Another pause. “Don’t worry, I won’t drink too much. I doubt it if there’ll be an open bar. That means the drinks won’t be free.” Gritting her teeth, she ended the call with a curt, “Thanks for your concern, Ma.”

“She sounds like a nice lady. I’m only assuming this since you haven’t introduced me to her or your dad yet. Have you told them you’re dating?”

“Like I said before, once I tell Ma about us, she’ll start looking for a church and picking out flowers and sending out wedding invitations. It’ll be drama after drama. I just want to lay low for a while and do the normal, everyday things we’ve been doing. Take Lucy to the park, go to the movies, or paint mugs like we’re doing today. I just want to enjoy us.”

Lucas furrowed his brows as if in deep thought. “You do want to get married sometime, right?”

“Are you proposing?” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with exaggerated surprise. Even though her tone was light, his expression remained serious. This probably wasn’t something to joke about. “Of course I do. I’m all for settling down with the right guy. Just don’t expect me to be barefoot and pregnant. I am not giving up—”

“Your heels,” he cut in with a smirk. “I know, I know, nothing comes between you and your weapon of choice.” He pulled her flush against him, their noses touching. “So, tell me, have you met the right guy?”

Sam found it hard to speak whenever she was in Lucas’s arms. She swallowed slowly, noticing how shallow her breathing had become. Instead of giving him a verbal reply, she leaned in for another kiss. Their lips had barely touched when she heard a high-pitched giggle beside them.

“Daddy! It’s my turn to play with Miss Sam.”

“Hey, girlie!” Sam stepped away from Lucas to hug the little girl tugging on his shorts. How did they not hear her footsteps approach? She exchanged a quick glance with Lucas who appeared strangely calm given the fact that Lucy had seen them kissing. They hadn’t even told her they were dating. She couldn’t think of a worse way to spring the news on her. “How long have you been standing here?”

“Lucy! Where did you run off to now?” A red-faced Mrs. Benson emerged from the house. “Oh, there you are. Come wash your hands.” Seeing Sam, she waved. “You’re just in time, dear. We’re having soup and sandwiches.”

“Hi Mrs. B. That sounds great.” Grabbing Lucy’s hand, she urged her, “Come on, Luce, let’s race and see who gets to the bathroom first.”

“Me!” Lucy shook loose from Sam’s hold and ran toward the house, leaving Sam and Lucas behind.

Sam grabbed her canvas bag from the car and shut the door. “What do we do? She saw us kiss!”

Lucas took the bag from her and began walking up the front steps. “What’s the big deal?”

“What’s the big deal?” After taking a few seconds to undo the straps of her heels, Sam followed him to the dining room where he was setting the table. “Lucy saw you kiss a woman who’s not her mom. That’s gotta be weird for her. Unless she’s
used
to seeing you kiss women?”

He glanced up from the placemat he was arranging. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

“Lucas!” Good thing she liked the guy because he was not helping the situation. “You didn’t answer the question.”

“I promise you’re the only one I kiss. Hand me those napkins?”

She gave him a stack, along with a glare. “I think it’s time we told her we’re dating. Find out if she has any questions. Make sure she’s okay with it.”

“Sure, we’ll talk to her.”

“Good. And just so you know, when I say we”—she gave him a cheeky smile—“I really mean you.”

Lucy bounded in at that moment, the ends of her French braids flying around her shoulders. She took a seat and pointed at the chair next to her. “Miss Sam, sit here.”

Sam complied and sat down. She flashed Lucas a look, jerking her head slightly to shift his attention to his daughter. “Now,” she mouthed.

He walked over and knelt down to Lucy’s eye level. “Sweetie, Miss Sam and I have something we want to talk to you about.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “Are you having a baby?”

“What?” Lucas and Sam blurted together.

“Benji said when a boy and girl kiss, they make a baby.”

Sam burst out laughing. “It’s a little more complicated than that, sweetie.” She turned to Lucas and was glad to see some color returning to his face. “We’re not having a baby.”

“You need to get married first before you do that,” Lucas spoke firmly. “Don’t forget that, okay?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”

“And if there are any boys who try to kiss you, tell them to ask me first.”

Sam rolled her eyes. Seriously? This was going to take a while. “Lucas, get to the point.”

“I’m getting to it,” he huffed. “Sweetheart, when a boy and a girl are friends, sometimes they want to be more than friends. That’s when they start dating and become girlfriend and boyfriend. Miss Sam and I are dating now. She’s my girlfriend and I’m her boyfriend. Girlfriends and boyfriends kiss, but only each other and no one else.”

Lucy furrowed her brows while she looked from one adult to the other. “Was Mommy your girlfriend?”

“Mommy was my wife and I will always, always love her. But Mommy is with Jesus now. She—”

Seeing Lucas choke up, Sam jumped in, “Your Mommy loved your Daddy so much. She wanted him to find a new friend who loves him as much as she did. Someone who loves you as much as she did, too.” She reached for Lucy’s hand and clasped it in hers, marveling at how perfect her little dimpled fingers were. “This grown-up stuff can be confusing, but all you need to know is that I love your daddy and I love you, Lucy. That’s all that matters.”

Lucy threw her arms around Sam’s neck. “I love you, Miss Sam.”

Over Lucy’s shoulder, she saw Lucas’s jaw drop. Their eyes met and she was rewarded with a delighted, almost smug smile.

“I love you, too,” Lucas mouthed at her.

Without planning to, she had told Lucas she loved him for the first time. She had spoken those words to only one man before who had broken her trust. This time though she had no doubt her heart was safe. She now had the love of a man—a cop, no less—who lived to protect.

- - -

Lucas took a deep breath and knocked on Sam’s door. After a minute of silence, he rang the bell. The cheerful greeting, “Hey, there’s someone at the door!” rang out and the door soon opened.

“Hi, babe!” Sam gave him a quick peck on the lips, then headed back into her apartment. “I’m almost ready, just looking for my keys. I thought I put them in my purse, but they’re nowhere to be found.”

“We’ll find them.” He followed her in, watching her shuffle through stacks of magazines and letters on the coffee table, then flip over the pillows on the couch. Using his police training, he did a quick scan of the living room. The glint of a shiny object underneath the table caught his eye. He walked over for a closer look and spotted a key ring attached to a gold high heeled shoe with tiny rhinestones. Kneeling down, he picked up the set of keys and dangled it from one hand. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

Sam turned around and exclaimed, “Yes!” She eyed him for a moment with her lips curved in amusement. “I didn’t think you’d be doing this so soon.”

“Doing what?”

“Getting down on one knee.”

“I—uh,” Lucas spluttered, suddenly feeling cornered. Did she know something was up?

“Relax. I’m kidding.” She took the keys from him, grabbed her coat and purse off the couch, and gestured toward the door. “Let’s go. They better be serving appetizers by now. I’m starving.”

Lucas rose to his feet and dusted off his khaki pants. He watched Sam lean against the door-frame as she slipped on a pair of red high heels. The backless red dress she wore was similar to the one from their Homecoming dance, but more sophisticated. Sam looked as beautiful as she did a decade ago, but even more so tonight. There was a new confidence and grace in the way she smiled at him over her shoulder.

“Are you coming or are you going to stand there and stare at me all night?”

“Can I do both?” he marveled, walking over to place a kiss on the curve of her neck. “You look amazing.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She turned, then leaned in to examine the side of his jaw. “Did you cut yourself shaving?”

“It’s just a nick. I got distracted.”

She flashed him a sly smile. “Without me around?”

“It doesn’t stop me from thinking about you.” His answer earned him a kiss. He only hoped his surprise planned for later that evening would bring about the same positive response. He took her hand and led her into the cool night air. “Let’s go find you some food. You need energy to dance later.”

She grinned. “Now you’re talking.”

They drove to the hotel where the reunion was taking place. From the moment they stepped inside the ballroom, all eyes were on them, in particular, Sam. She lit up the room with her laugh, and both female and male classmates came over to talk to her. The hardest part for Lucas wasn’t having to share her, but to address people’s questions about Lauren. Thankfully, word traveled throughout the room quickly, and most people offered their condolences without too much awkwardness.