Sam's Point-of-View
Trying to get any sleep last night proved impossible. I didn't want the police involved, but Max insisted. They came out and searched the property. When they didn't find anything, they chalked it out to be a sick joke made by some punk kids.
Max also called my parents, who stuck around all morning.
"I don't understand why you never had a security system," Mom yells, coming down the stairs! "My goodness, Samantha Hallowell! You both could've been hurt or killed."
Mom has been talking to the security installer upstairs.
I'm not going to argue with her. I sigh and sit back on the couch. She is right! I should, at least, have cameras all over my property.
Max is sitting next to me. He gives me a sympathetic smile.
Daddy walks back into the living room. The installer from vector security comes downstairs. He speaks with Daddy briefly and leaves.
"Baby doll, can I talk to you for a second?" He asks, walking away—his brows furrow.
I stand from the couch and follow my dad into the kitchen. I take a seat at one of the island chairs.
"Are you okay?" Daddy asks, taking a seat next to me and grabbing my hands.
"Yeah, just a little shaken, but I'm fine." I smile.
"No, Sammy! That's not what I mean."
My dad has an earnest look on his face. It scares me. "I mean, are you okay?" He whispers. I know he knows something is wrong.
He squeezes my hands gently and continues. "I'm not just talking about last night. For the past couple of months, your head is more in the clouds than trying to focus on your life and this wedding. Are you even sure you want to get married anymore?"
I am in shock that Daddy always knows exactly how I feel without telling him a word. However, my feelings don't matter right now. I am choosing to marry Max, and that's final!
"I am, and you will be walking me down the aisle very soon." I chuckle wryly. "Nothing is wrong. I promise."
He looks down and exhales, trying to smile.
"I know you're lying to me, and I won't pry. I want you to be happy. Okay?"
I nod as Daddy stares at my face. He's obviously scanning for something to justify how he feels. My wounds are internal. He isn't going to find it unless I tell him.
I really feel horrible for lying to him, but this is how it has to be. He kisses my forehead and leaves me to my thoughts.
Did I really mean it when I told Ryder to stay away from me? I wasn't stupid, though. I told him to do something, and he did the opposite.
I know he broke my glass door! Who else would do such a thing and not leave any evidence behind?
The fact that he saw me with another man made me smile. I'm glad he saw us!
Ryder needs to see me in another man's arms. I'm not going to wait forever for him and the whole stunt to drop me off here hurt me to my core.
"Why are you so smiling so hard?" Max says, zapping me out of my thoughts. He has a curious look on his face.
"Uh, no reason! Well, besides me being happy that our wedding is soon. That's all," I say, grinning.
He smiles and sits next to me. Max reaches for a box of Dunkin donuts, opens it, and takes out an apple crumb. I hand him his hot coffee, one he happily takes and takes a sip. My parents had sent out for them when they first arrived.
"Yeah, I'm pretty nervous. Our invite list went from seventy-five to three hundred. That's not normal," he says, taking a bite.
I smile and shrug my shoulders. "Yeah, that's Mom for you! Half of those people on that list will be alien to us. We will spend half the night greeting the unknown."
"Well, speaking of uncharted territory," he says, taking another bite from his donut. "I booked our honeymoon."
I turn my body to him. He has my full attention now.
Max looks nervous but happy. "I remember you saying you've never been to the Bahamas, so..."
"Bahamas it is?" I ask. It's written all over his face. He's so excited!
"How did you pay-"
"Well, Tim asked me where we were going for our honeymoon. I told him I didn't know. So he told me to choose. He tricked me. Said if I didn't let him pay, he'd be offended."
I laugh. I get up and put my hands on his shoulders. "Yeah, he really backed you into a corner there, Max!"
Max stands up laughing. "I swear he did!" He put his hands around my hips, getting ready to hug me.
"Max, can I ask you something?" I say, grabbing his hand. I don't want him to hug me.
"Sure!"
I notice crumbs on his shirt and dust it away. "Why did you fix the will? Why did you only keep the flower shop?"
He stops chewing and half-smiles. "It felt weird knowing there was a small chance you might not come back to me. I had even spoken to your dad. He told me to do what was best. So since they had authorization to your will, I told them I was fine just owning the shop."
Max grows serious. "God forbid anything happens to you; no one will take care of your shop better than me. And you know how having tons of money makes me feel. I don't want the responsibility, Sam. After everything was given to your lawyer, you were taken and-"
I stand on my toes and kiss him. What did I do to deserve him?
"Ah, there's the happy couple!" Mom walks in singing. "Are you both ready for this weekend because I am!!"
I let go of Max and sit back down.
"Alright, dear, here's your phone." She hands me my cell phone. "I downloaded the app associated with your system. You'll be able to watch the entire property. Even from your laptop."
"Thanks, mom! You didn't have to do that."
She kisses my forehead. "Oh stop! I have no problem taking care of you. And besides, I know you want to get out of the house, so let's go! I'm treating you both to lunch."
"No thanks, Mrs. Hallowell." Max puts his arm around Mom's shoulder. "I'm actually going into work for a couple of hours." He turns and looks at me. "If it's okay with you, of course!"
He lets go of Mom and bends down in front of me, grabbing my hands. "Will you be fine?"
"Yes. Go!" I smile, pushing him away playfully. "I know you have to get everything in order before the wedding and honeymoon."
Max kisses me. "Yes, ma'am! I want your undivided attention all next week. Big surprises are in store!"
I laugh. "Oh, really?"
"Yep! I love you," he says, kissing my nose and running off. "Chinese for dinner!"
"You too, and okay!" I shout after him. I hear the front door open and close. Bell chimes throughout the house, alerting me to the front door.
Mom looks thoroughly repulsed. "You too?! Is that how you respond to 'I love you?' You say 'you too?' What does that even mean?" She then grabs a donut, inhaling it and savoring the smell. She then puts it back, looking satisfied with herself.
I sigh. "Mom, he knows how I feel about him. Words don't matter. It's how you show it."
"Well, if that's the case, then you don't love him," Mom whispers, grabbing her coffee from the cup holder. She blows into the hole and takes a sip.
"Excuse me?!" How dare she say that?!
"Oh, nothing, sweetheart!"
I give her an angry, furrowed look.
"Okay, fine!" She flags me looking defeated. "It's just that you act cold and standoff-ish towards him. I notice you really don't want him within a foot of you. On top of that-"
"Mom," I say, annoyed.
She puts her hands up. "What!? I'm sorry! Just telling you what I see."
Angrily, I stand from the chair and head to my bedroom.
Mom obviously isn't wrong. Having Max around and marrying him soon is a big pill to swallow. One that I will eventually swallow. I have no choice, especially if I want to forget about Ryder.
I have to think about what is best for me. Max is the obvious choice. He's been at my side at every turn. Ryder only does things to convenience himself. Max is selfless! Ryder is the opposite!
At times.
I lay on the bed, close my eyes and wonder if Ryder is sleeping okay. I know the answer to that, but I really wish I was there to help him sleep. Knowing I am the only one that can soothe him makes my heart soar.
I wish he didn't act so heartless towards me when I know he feels something for me.
"It's all I know." I hear Ryder's words. "It's all I've ever known since my parents died. I had my grandparents but they always had me with the maids and butlers. Having you here has been the best and worst. I love having you around, but I need you to hate me. I wish I could get the opportunity to be yours, but you belong to someone else."