Second Chance Secrets

Chapter Twenty

Sam and Jessica walked into the restaurant together and were shown to their table. After placing a wine order, they sat down perusing the menu. Jessica could feel Sam’s eyes on her, so she looked up. He was indeed looking at her but the look in his eyes was not one that she understood. He was looking at her as if he wanted to pull her across the table and do to her exactly what she was thinking of doing to him. But she wasn’t really sure. Because the thoughts running through her mind were not something to be done in public. Oh lord, she was in trouble.

Jessica knew she spent more time thinking about Sam than was wise. She just couldn’t help herself. Every day she had thoughts of him. And every day they went father and father away from the P.G. rated variety. She knew she was getting herself in trouble, but what was a girl to do when she was surrounded by a hot testosterone filled man. One as attractive as Sam was. She couldn’t stop herself from looking and fantasizing. It had become her new norm. her new habit. And everyone knew that habits were hard to break.

Sam sat looking at Jessica instead of the menu. He figured when waiter returned he would just ask for more time or just ordered something… anything. He knew he was staring but what else could he do. Not staring was not an option. He could sit around and look at her all day. Not just because she was beautiful – and she was. But because he was so drawn to her. He could simple get lost in the marvel that was Jessica Marshall.

She looked up at him and smiled. He returned the smile but continued stop staring. All the while remembering what they had done that night three years ago and what he wanted them to do now. It had been a long time, but it was still engraved on his brain. Not remembering and thinking about that night was never a possibility. He always remembered. Most times, he made himself remember. It was one of the best nights of his life. Probably the best, if he was being honest. Waiting to relive that night was gonna be a task.

“What’s up?” Jessica asked him.

“What do you mean?” was his response.

“Well you’re looking at me funny,” she replied.

“Not funny, Jess. It’s not a funny look at all,” he said to her with a smirk on his face.

Jess sighed and smiled. “So if it’s not a funny look then what type of look is it?” she asked.

“Do you really need to ask that,” was Sam’s comeback.

Jess looked down but she still held the smile on her face. She bit her bottom lip and looked up at him. “Okay. I guess I have an idea, but we’re at dinner so it’ll have to wait a little bit.” She raised her head fully.

Sam grinned. He didn’t know how but being around Jessica made him happy. He laughed and smiled more than he used to. She was a pleasure to be around and he found himself discovering that as they sat at the table drinking wine and waiting on their order, which they had finally gotten around to, to arrive. They chatted, sharing information that had been shared before. Relearning about each other. It was starting out as a great evening.

Their dinner had just being placed on the table and they took up their forks to start eating. Only before they could take a bit, Jessica’s phone started to ring. Not knowing who was calling and having left Emily at home, she decided to pick it up. It was her mother. Emily wasn’t feeling well. She had a slight fever and was a touch restless. Suzie told Jessica she didn’t have to come home.

Jess kept pushing the food around on the plate. Sam knew she was worried. He was too, but she had decided to stay. After watching her play with the food for five minutes, he put down his fork and reached for his wallet.

“Come on,” he said as he pulled out some money and put it on the table. There was enough to cover the cost and tip. Jess got up with him and he pulled her towards the door. They headed for the car then towards home. They were going to check on their daughter.