Arizona Sunsets - Sam Hubbard

XXV

In the morning, Liz swiftly silenced the alarm clock she had set the previous day, then turned to Sam, who wore a tired smile. It seemed she hadn't been quick enough to avoid waking him after all.

"Good morning," she whispered softly, sliding closer and snuggling against Sam's chest. With ample time before needing to rise, she relished the comfort of the bed. Sam sighed and wrapped his arm around her, planting a kiss on her hair. "Good morning," he murmured in response.

For a brief while, they lay side by side in silence, Sam absentmindedly twirling a strand of Liz's hair. Just as they were about to drift back to sleep, Liz's second alarm clock sounded. Sighing, she disentangled herself from Sam's embrace and switched off the alarm.

This time, she truly had to get up. Casting an apologetic look at Sam, Liz swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She felt his gaze fixed upon her as she gathered her bag, which she had brought to Sam's room the previous day, before disappearing into the bathroom.

Removing the shirt Sam had lent her for sleep, Liz caught a glimpse of her naked body in the mirror, adorned with a few purple hickeys Sam had left. Grinning, she lightly stroked them before retrieving her clothes from the bag and dressing.

Since she hadn't anticipated staying the night, Liz lacked a brush and makeup. She improvised, combing her disheveled hair with her fingers and swiftly braiding it at the nape of her neck.

Knowing she needed to stop by her apartment before leaving for work, Liz planned to freshen up there. Her current appearance wouldn't do, especially with the visible mark adorning her neck. A smile crossed her lips as she grabbed her toothbrush, now placed next to Sam's in the green cup, and began brushing her teeth. Afterward, she packed everything back into her bag and exited the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Sam sat up in bed, a blanket covering his lower body. He ran his hand through his tousled hair as Liz emerged from the bathroom. She smiled at him, setting her bag down and walking towards the bed.

"I'll see you later?" she asked with a grin, to which Sam promptly nodded. "Okay, see you later then." Slightly uncertain about their parting, Liz leaned over and quickly kissed Sam's lips before smirking and pulling away. She grabbed her bag once more, waved a final farewell, and left his room.

She arrived for her shift only three minutes late, having hurriedly combed her hair, changed clothes, and repeatedly checked the mirror to ensure the hickey on her neck remained concealed beneath layers of makeup.

With a small sprint, Liz made her way behind the counter, tied her apron around her waist, and grabbed a water bottle, quickly emptying it in one gulp. Charlotte observed with a grin as she finished serving a customer, bidding them farewell before turning to Liz.

"For someone who goes to the gym twice a week, you sound quite unathletic right now," Charlotte remarked playfully, earning a sharp look from Liz, who still clung to the water bottle before discarding it into the trash.

"And I must say, being late even though you live right above the café doesn't bode well, unless... you didn't sleep in your apartment last night," Charlotte teased, her grin widening.

Liz rolled her eyes. "You talked to Ava, didn't you?" she inquired. Charlotte struggled to suppress her grin. "Perhaps I'm just psychic," she quipped, waggling her hand through the air as if reading a crystal ball.

Liz scoffed. "Exactly. That's why you work here," she laughed. Charlotte grinned. "True. I did have a chat with Ava. She wanted me to assess your mood when you arrived today. So, how would you describe it? Satisfied?" she winked at Liz, who playfully swatted at her with a towel.

"You're incorrigible," Liz hissed, crossing her arms. "It's none of your business what goes on between Sam and me," she added. "That's right. As long as you're not getting intimate here in the café. Ugh," Charlotte grimaced.

"Well, it's enough with the way you two undress each other with your eyes," she rolled her eyes. "You don't have to watch," Liz shook her head. "You can go about your business while I serve my customers."

Charlotte grinned mischievously. "What kind of coffee does he get? The Liz special? Coffee with a side of dates and a sleepover?" Liz once again lashed out with the towel, this time hitting Charlotte's calf, prompting a yelp of pain. "Serves you right," Liz remarked before grabbing a croissant to enjoy breakfast in the storage room.

As usual, Sam entered the café promptly at eight, finding Liz already beaming and waiting for him behind the counter. "Good morning," she greeted him once more, reaching for his cup and placing it under the coffee machine before turning back to him.

"Here, you left this at my place. I found it on my patio," Sam slid a bag across the counter, grinning at her with amusement. Liz's cheeks flushed as she caught sight of the blue fabric of her bikini shimmering through the bag. She quickly scanned the café, relieved that Charlotte seemed preoccupied with customers.

"Thanks. I completely forgot about it!" she murmured, unable to suppress her grin. "I had other things on my mind," she whispered to Sam, winking. Sam licked his lips, a slight blush coloring his face. "I felt the same way," he murmured in response.

Liz grinned, then turned away swiftly to prepare Sam's coffee, attempting to ignore the warm sensations coursing through her body. Placing the coffee before Sam, she heard him clear his throat.

"By the way, I wanted to ask if you were going to Western Night again tonight," he said, running a hand over the back of his neck as he retrieved his wallet from his pocket. However, Liz signaled to him that he didn't need to pay.

She shook her head. "Ben has some work commitment tonight, so we're only going if everyone can make it," she explained. "Why? Did you want to go?" she asked, a grin forming. Sam shrugged his shoulders.

"Just wanted to know if I could see you tonight. If you're not going to Western Night, maybe we can have dinner or something, just the two of us?" he asked, his voice growing quieter. Liz's heart twinged with guilt as she realized she would have to disappoint him.

"I'm sorry..." a sense of guilt washed over her as she spoke. "Since Tuesdays are always our designated night out, Ava, Mia, and I decided to have a girls' night at a bar," she explained.

"Oh," disappointment was evident on Sam's face. "Sure, I understand. Have fun with the girls. Maybe another time?" he mumbled. Liz's heart squeezed at his crestfallen expression.

"Well, you could... pick me up from the bar. We could go to my place, watch a movie, and... you could stay the night," Liz suggested, her voice quickening. "Only if you want to, of course," she added hastily. Sam lifted his head, a smile spreading across his lips, instantly alleviating Liz's guilt. "Yes, we can do that," he nodded eagerly.

"Okay," Liz grinned playfully. "I'll just text you when I need you to pick me up and send you my location, alright?" she confirmed. Sam nodded again. "Sounds good," he agreed, grabbing his coffee and flashing her a grin. "See you later then."

Before Liz could respond, Sam leaned over the counter, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. He turned and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving Liz surprised and blinking in astonishment. She glanced at Charlotte, who met her gaze with an amused grin.

Quickly grabbing the bag with her bikini, Liz retreated to the storage room, needing a few minutes to calm her racing heart.

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