Alexandra stepped out of the restaurant into the late afternoon air, cool and bright. The sky had deepened into a muted gold, and cars moved lazily along the street. But her mind buzzed with too many pieces—contracts, revisions, disappearances, Sam's guiltless face in her memory.
She exhaled hard, steadying herself.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Sam calling.
Alexandra froze for the briefest second, her heartbeat tightening. The timing couldn't have been more cruel. She composed herself before answering.
"Hey, my love," Sam's voice came through gently, warm enough to soften the cold edge of Alexandra's thoughts. "I just finished a meeting. Where are you?"
Alexandra swallowed. Her voice had to sound normal. Light. Not like she had just taken photos of Sam's company contracts and interviewed a supplier about suspicious contracts.
"I just... met up with an old friend," Alexandra said gently. "Caught up a bit. It was unexpected."
"Oh?" Sam sounded pleased, not suspicious. "That's nice. Someone from school?"
"Yeah," Alexandra replied. "From grade school, actually."
"That must've been fun," Sam said, smiling through the phone.
"It was," Alexandra answered, her voice light but certain.
"Are you coming over tonight?" Sam asked. There was a soft note of hope in her voice—just enough to twist something inside Alexandra's chest.
"Of course," Alexandra said, letting warmth seep into her tone. "I'll head over after I finish some things for my mom."
Sam hummed, pleased. "Good. I miss you already."
Alexandra closed her eyes briefly. Don't make this harder, she begged silently.
"I miss you too."
There was a rustling sound on Sam's end—a door closing, maybe, papers shifting. "Oh, by the way," Sam added. "Grandma keeps asking about you. She said you should come by this weekend."
Alexandra smiled softly despite the knot in her stomach. "I'd love that."
"Good." Sam paused, gentle. "And Alex?"
"Hm?"
"I hope your day's going well... even if you're busy. Take care of yourself, okay?"
The earnest affection in Sam's voice nearly cracked Alexandra's composure. She pressed a hand to her forehead, forcing a steady breath.
"I will," she whispered. "Thank you, baby."
"Always," Sam said.
They exchanged soft goodbyes before Alexandra ended the call. She lowered the phone slowly, letting the silence settle.
Sam's warmth lingered in her ears.
Lucas's warning echoed louder in her mind.
Alexandra straightened, the tenderness turning into a quiet steel inside her.
"I'll protect you," she murmured to herself. "No matter what I have to uncover."
Then she headed back toward her car—toward the office, toward the truth, toward a storm Sam didn't even know was building.
-
The sky had already deepened into night by the time Alexandra reached Sam's house. Warm lights glowed from the kitchen windows, casting soft golden rectangles onto the driveway. The moment she opened the door, the comforting aroma of sautéed garlic and herbs drifted toward her—homey, familiar, disarming.
She paused for a breath. She needed to be okay. Just for tonight. For Sam.
The soft clatter of utensils guided her to the kitchen. There Sam stood at the stove, hair tied in a loose bun, sleeves rolled up, humming absently while stirring a pan. The sight alone kissed away some of Alexandra's tension.
Quietly, Alexandra moved across the room, her steps soft against the floor. She slipped her arms around Sam's waist, the warmth of her embrace drawing Sam still. Resting her chin on Sam's shoulder, Alexandra breathed in the faint scent of her perfume, a mix of comfort and familiarity that made the moment feel like home.
Sam let out a tiny startled breath, then relaxed instantly with a smile. "There you are."
Alexandra tightened her hold. "I missed you."
Sam covered Alexandra's hands with her own. "I missed you too." She turned her head slightly, brushing her cheek against Alexandra's. "Long day?"
Alexandra hesitated for half a heartbeat—just enough for her pulse to falter—then softened her voice. "A bit. But this helps."
Sam chuckled lightly. "Good. Because I made your favorite." She lifted the pan slightly for Alexandra to smell. "Homemade creamy pesto chicken pasta."
Alexandra inhaled. "Mmm... you're perfect."
"You say that because you're hungry," Sam teased.
"No," Alexandra murmured, leaning in to kiss the back of Sam's neck softly. "I say it because it's true."
Sam's breath hitched just a little. "Stop that. I'm trying to cook."
"And I'm trying to love you," Alexandra whispered.
Sam shook her head with a smile and gently nudged Alexandra's hip. "Sit. Before you distract me enough to burn our dinner."
Alexandra reluctantly unwrapped herself and took a seat at the kitchen island. She watched Sam move around the kitchen—graceful, efficient, soft. Everything about her was grounding. And it made the weight in Alexandra's chest feel heavier, guilt threading through her ribs.
How can I hide this from you?
How can I not?
The conflict simmered inside her like a secret she wasn't strong enough to carry.
Sam plated the pasta beautifully and joined her at the island. They ate quietly for a few minutes, letting the warm food soothe the day away. Sam reached out mid-bite, brushing a strand of hair from Alexandra's face.
"You look tired," she said gently. "Your eyes... you're somewhere else."
Alexandra froze for a second before recovering with a smile. "Just thinking some things."
"Want to talk about it?" Sam asked.
Alexandra shook her head softly. "Not tonight."
Sam accepted the answer without pushing—because she trusted her. That trust stung Alexandra sharper than anything.
"Well," Sam said, trying to brighten the mood, "Nana called earlier. She's excited for this weekend. She wants to cook for you."
Alexandra smiled. "She spoils me."
"Only you," Sam teased. "I get lectures. You get cakes."
"I have that effect on people."
"You have that effect on me," Sam whispered, almost shyly.
Alexandra's heart squeezed.
They finished dinner slowly, talking about little things—the weather changing, Sam's grandmother losing her reading glasses again, the new coffee shop Sam wanted to try with her. Normal things. Gentle things. Things that pulled Alexandra out of her storm and wrapped her in something she desperately didn't want to lose.
After washing the dishes together—Sam washing, Alexandra drying—Sam leaned against the counter, drying her hands on a towel.
"Stay over?" Sam asked softly. There was no seduction in her voice, just warmth. Want. Comfort.
Alexandra nodded. "Of course."
Sam stepped closer, pressing a tender kiss to Alexandra's forehead. "Good. I like ending my day with you."
Alexandra slid her arms around her again, resting her head on Sam's shoulder. "And I like ending mine with you."
Sam held her close, humming quietly as if she could chase away whatever shadows clung to Alexandra.
Alexandra wished it were that simple.
Because as she clung to Sam, warm and safe in her arms, she knew tomorrow she'd be uncovering more truths about the company Sam fought so hard to protect.
And she'd have to do it while standing right beside the woman she loved.