Finding a Way to Love:Forever Yours (Book two of The Finding Series)

Chapter Two

Chapter 2

We walk into the diner and there he is. Dressed in dark wash jeans and a white button up Polo. My mouth waters a bit. And Annabel glances over at me. “Rache, you are trying to kill yourself.” She mouths. I just shake my head. I look back at her.

“I just want some pancakes.” I say. He must hear my voice because he walks over to us. My heart drops to the bottom of my stomach whenI see the blonde bimbo behind him.

“Rachel!! Annabel! Didn’t expect to see you two here. Bell, I thought you would be glued to Jamie’s side. And Rachel I figured you would be with that guy.”

Guy? What guy?

I step forward. “Sam I have no clue what you are talking about.”

He steps closer to me. We have a stare down, his grey eyes staring into mine. My heart rate quickens and I know my heart will burst out of my chest at any given second.

He steps closer and leans close to my ear. “You know Rache; two can play at this game. I saw the guy you were with a few weeks ago. If you think you can make me jealous; you got another thing coming.” He says and then shocks me by kissing the hollow under my ear. I gulp and look over at Annabel whose mouth is gaping open. He walks back to the blonde and kisses her hard. “Well ladies it was great to see you both, but Paige and I must be going. I have a business meeting to attend about expanding the diner.” He says holding Paige’s hand and walking out of the diner.

Annabel walks over to me, mouth still wide open. “What the heck was that?” She exclaims. I stand at the front of the diner not moving; still feeling his lips under my ear. Heat spreads all over my body. “Bell, let’s eat.” She just stares at me and then follows me. We sit down in the booth and are greeted by a cheery waitress. She takes out order and leaves. The silence between Bell and I is irritating. “Okay, Rachel. Spill now. What was that back there? You looked like you two wanted to devour each other?” She says eyes wide. I just shrug my shoulders. “Who knows, Sam Collins has a mind of his own.” Our food arrives and we eat in silence.

Soon Annabel speaks up. “What did he mean by other guy, Rachel?”

 I run my fingers through my hair.

“I don’t know Bell, I have no clue. The only guy he might have seen me with could have been Nathan.” Nathan is me and Annabel’s second cousin and he was in town for the wedding and we had coffee together a few weeks ago.

“Do you think that is who he is talking about?” Bell asks me. I shrug, it could be; but I really don’t know. We finish up our meal and I drop Annabel off at Michigan Union, which is a small Junior college.

On my way to work, my phone rings. Sam flashes across the screen and I freeze. Why is he calling me? I internally groan and answer it.

“Sam this better be good, I am on my way to work; so make it quick.” He laughs and my insides melt.

“Look about earlier…” He trails off.

“Look Sam I get it. You found someone better than me and its fine really, and Paige is really pretty and—…”  He cuts me off.

“That isn’t why I called.”

“Then why did you call, I am about to be at work. I don’t have time for games Sam.” I bark at him. He sighs. “Look I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me today around three. Or whatever time you have your lunch break?” A smile creeps across my face. Heat rushes to my cheeks and I suddenly get giddy… My leg bounces and I feel excited.

“Yeah… I would love to.” I say trying not to get too overjoyed. “Where do you want to meet?” I say trying to keep my cool. His smooth voice makes my heart flip flop like it usually does when he is around.

“We can meet at Mc’dees if you want? They have really good Nacho’s.” I tell him I will meet him there at three and make my way to work.

I work at a small business complex, selling make-up. It’s not what I wanted to do, but it pays the bills. I walk in my small office and see flowers with a note on them. I bet they are from Sam.

I pick up the note and read.

‘To my dearest Rachel, hope you have a good day.

Lucas.

I frown. Lucas is a co-worker that has been trying to ask me out; but I turn him down every time. He is sweet and cute; but not Sam. A knock on my office door interrupts my thoughts. “Rachel?” I turn and see Lucas staring at me.

His dark brown hair is cut to a buzz cut, and his face has a small five o’clock shadow. He is handsome but like I said; not Sam.

“Yeah Luke?” I reply, using his nickname.

He smiles a sweet smile and I return it. “I was wondering if you are doing anything tonight.” Great, I thought I told him I am not interested in anyone right now… I sigh. “What is it going to take for you to understand that I am not really interested?” I say smiling. He walks in my office and rests on my desk. “One date. And I promise I’ll stop.” He says holding his finger up to confirm one date.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Okay. You convinced me. What time?” He smiles a huge grin and tells me he will pick me up at eight.

The day passes fast, and before I know it, it’s three and time for my lunch break. I run out to my car and Lucas stops me before I get in. “Rachel!” He yells. I turn to him and smile. “Yeah Lucas, can you hurry I am late for meeting a friend for lunch.” His face falls a bit. “Oh are you seeing someone?” I shake my head. “No he is just a friend. I promise.” His face lights up again and he takes my hand. “Good. I wanted to ask you what you prefer more; Italian or Chinese?” Both sound great but I love Italian. “Italian.” I say and we talk for a few minutes about how excited we are about our dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pull into Mc’dees and park next to Sam’s blue BMW. My hands start to sweat and I feel really clammy. Why am I nervous? Sam and I eat out all the time together. I walk into the restaurant and smile at the décor. It’s like I walked back into the 1960’s. All the waitresses are dressed in Poodle Skirts and the waiters wear leather pants and white button up shirts… Seems like Sam’s kind of place to eat. I look around for Sam and I frown when I see him seated in a white and black checkered booth, with Paige. I thought it was going to be us two? Two can play at this… I runback outside and call Lucas.

“Rachel?” He says when he picks up. “Hey can you do me a favor?” I ask in a hurry.

“Sure. What do you need?” I sigh really deep and wait a few minutes before I ask. “Look you know my friend I told you I was having lunch with, well he brought his girlfriend and I don’t want to be a third wheel; can you come and keep me company?” I silently pray he doesn’t think I am acting weird. I’m not really worried about being a third wheel; I just want to beat Sam at his own game. But I can’t tell Lucas that, it will only hurt his feelings.

“Yeah sure… I’ll be right there. Wait for me outside and we will walk in together.” We say goodbye and just a few minutes later Lucas pulls up. His brown hair a little messy and his blue eyes bright and excited. His dress shirt is a little wrinkled and his tie he had on earlier is now gone. He walks over to me and hugs me. “Hey. Thanks for coming; I couldn’t bear being left out.” I lie.

He smiles. “Oh it’s no problem. I hate being a third wheel.” We walk inside together and the look on Sam’s face when he sees Lucas is priceless. His face turns a scary shade of white and he pulls Paige closer to him. To show him up, I grab Lucas’s hand and we walk to the table.

“Rachel, I didn’t know you were bringing along your boyfriend?” Sam asks when we approach the table. Lucas’s hand tightens around mine and we smile. “Oh he isn’t my boyfriend. Just a friend.” Sam’s face turns red, he turns and looks at Paige and leans in and kisses her. Jealousy courses though me and I can’t help myself when I lean in and kiss Lucas.