WHEN LOVE RETURNS

CHAPTER 25

Erica returned to the house with a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She tried to shake the thoughts away as she entered her room, but they clung to her like vines. Sinking onto the bed, she stared at the ceiling, her mind spinning. The memory of Sam standing by the river, his voice low and earnest as he talked about his mother, replayed in her head like a song she couldn't stop humming.

What is this feeling? she wondered. Why can't I stop thinking about him?

She turned onto her side, gripping the pillow tightly. But the flood of memories didn't relent—his teasing smirk, the warmth of his hand on hers, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her. It wasn't just that he was kind beneath his gruff exterior; it was the way he seemed to see her in a way no one else ever had.

*****

Hours passed, and sleep refused to come. When dawn finally broke, Erica sat up with a groan. She caught her reflection in the mirror and winced. Her usually glowing complexion was replaced with pale skin and dark circles under her eyes.

"Great," she muttered to herself, brushing her fingers through her hair. "I look like I just auditioned for a zombie movie."

Reluctantly, she shuffled to the kitchen. The rich aroma of coffee greeted her, along with the sight of Sam standing by the counter. He was dressed casually in a gray T-shirt and jeans, his hair slightly tousled, as if he had just woken up himself.

He turned when he heard her enter, his brows knitting together in concern. "Erica, are you okay? You look like you haven't slept at all."

She blinked at him, her gaze unfocused, still lost in her thoughts. "I couldn't sleep... not even for a second," she replied, her voice distant.

Sam leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms. "Let me guess—too many thoughts running through your head?"

Erica gave a weak laugh. "Something like that."

He studied her for a moment, then shook his head with a hint of amusement. "You need rest, my lady."

Her head snapped up, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "What did you just call me?"

Sam smirked, his tone teasing. "My lady. You know, like in those old movies where the knight is all chivalrous and stuff."

Erica couldn't help but roll her eyes, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. "Right. And you're the knight in shining armor, I suppose?"

He shrugged casually. "Well, someone's got to keep you from collapsing in the middle of the kitchen."

She groaned, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And yet, here you are," he shot back, a playful glint in his eyes.

As Erica poured herself a cup of coffee, she couldn't help but notice how relaxed Sam seemed. It was as if teasing her had become his favorite pastime. Why does he have to make everything feel so light and easy? she wondered.

"You should really try to get some sleep," Sam said, his voice softer now. "You're not doing yourself any favors staying up all night."

Erica glanced at him over her mug, her heart giving a little flutter at the concern in his tone. "I know. I just... couldn't shut my brain off."

Sam tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's on your mind?"

She hesitated, the question catching her off guard. Do I tell him the truth? That he's the reason I couldn't sleep? She shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. Just... adjusting to everything here, I guess."

Sam didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Instead, he stepped closer, leaning against the counter next to her. "Well, for what it's worth, you're doing better than most people would in your shoes."

Erica raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You really think so?"

"Yeah," he said simply, his gaze steady. "You've been through a lot, and you're still standing. That's more than most people can say."

Her cheeks flushed at the unexpected compliment, and she quickly took another sip of coffee to hide her reaction. "Thanks, I guess."

Sam chuckled, his tone teasing again. "Don't let it go to your head, city girl."

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. "You know, you're not exactly great at giving compliments. It's like you're afraid I'll actually believe you."

"Maybe I am," he said, his voice low and almost serious.

The sudden shift in his tone made her pause. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged. Erica's heart pounded in her chest, and she wondered if he could hear it.

Before she could say anything, Sam broke the silence. "You really should get some sleep. I'll handle the chores today."

She frowned, not wanting to leave things on such an uncertain note. "I don't need you to take care of me, you know."

He smirked, the teasing glint returning to his eyes. "Sure you don't. But humor me, okay? Just this once."

Erica sighed, realizing she wasn't going to win this argument. "Fine. But only because I'm too tired to fight you on it."

As she turned to leave, she heard him call out, "Sweet dreams, my lady."

She glanced back, unable to suppress a laugh. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"Not a chance," he said with a grin.

Shaking her head, Erica headed back to her room, a small smile lingering on her lips. Despite her exhaustion, she felt lighter somehow, as if Sam's playful banter had lifted some of the weight from her shoulders.

As she lay down, her mind still buzzed with thoughts of him—his smile, his words, the way he seemed to see right through her defenses. Maybe it's time to stop running, she thought, her eyelids growing heavy. Maybe it's time to face whatever this is.

And for the first time in days, Erica drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with the warmth of Sam's smile and the quiet promise of something more.