Vows Box Set

Chapter 4: Coping…Or Not-1

Chapter 4: Coping…Or Not

One Week

Sam joined Henry at his breakfast table about five minutes after Henry sat down. Henry proceeded with his misdirect efforts by launching immediately into a discussion about the relative nutritional benefits of the different varieties of seaweed found in the waters around the Solomons. He followed it up with a question for Sam about the fruits he’d been studying the previous week.

Sam gaped at him with wide eyes as he nattered on, but when Henry finally gave Sam a chance to talk in reply to his kumquat inquiry, Sam ignored the question and undid all of Henry’s efforts with a single statement.

“I feel like I should explain…about last night.”

So much for avoiding awkwardness. Henry picked at a loose thread at the seam of his shorts. This was going to hurt, but Henry could hardly refuse to listen. He didn’t have to encourage it, though, so he remained silent and waited for Sam to continue.

“Uh, it’s not that I wouldn’t be interested. It’s just that I don’t want to jeopardize our working relationship. I don’t think it’s a good idea to hook up with someone I work with and see almost every day.”

Sam cleared his throat and bounced his leg. He stared at his plate, occasionally peeking up, as he continued. “I guess I should confess that I’ve had a bit of a crush on you, otherwise I could probably just be an adult about it and not think anything of a little fling with you while we’re here. I just don’t think I’ll be able to go about business as usual once we get back to reality and this little affair you’re offering is over.”

Henry blinked. “Is that what you think? That I’m just interested in a couple rolls in the hay while we’re here, then go back to innocuous conversations about curriculum and lab results as if this summer never happened?”

Sam lifted his gaze from the table to stare inquiringly into Henry’s eyes. “Um…”

“It’s not. I’ve been drawn to you all year, too, Sam. I like you. I want to get to know you on a more personal level. I’d absolutely love to date you, now and continuing when we return to Seattle.”

Sam’s jaw dropped. “Oh.”

His jumpy leg shifted into overdrive, but the corner of his mouth quirked up into that adorable half-grin that always made Henry melt a little inside, and he added, “Okay, then.”