Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 39

It was dark when Ali woke up. 

She must have fallen asleep. There was a warm pressure on her feet where Scout had climbed on the bed and settled on her. She could hear his gentle snoring.

Her phone was still clutched in her hands. It was after 6 pm. Anxious she had missed a call from Sam, Ali quickly checked it.

Nothing. No call. No text.

Sam was MIA.

Where had it all gone so wrong? This morning she had woken up with hope in her heart. Sam had found her, tracked her down somehow. His showing up was a bit of a blur, along with what happened afterwards, but the fact he was there had meaning. And he had stayed with her, taking care of her.

She was dying to talk to him, to figure a way through whatever this was between them. If only she had not left this hotel room. Pushed back her meeting. Sat down and listened to him. Surely today would have turned out differently. The horrible phone call would not have happened. She wouldn't have pushed Sam away. Sam would be here with her now, holding her, kissing her, talking to her.

But thoughts of what might have happened didn't help. What she needed to know was what did happen. Why had Sam not made it for their lunch date? Ali could not make sense of it. Sam had insisted on making the reservations himself this morning.

That train of thought lead to more questions. Why had he decided to go to a bar first? Or instead? Why had he decided to go to a bar at all? Drinks after work with the gang from the Foundation were one thing, but drinking in the middle of the day when he was supposed to be meeting her, was another thing. It was just not like Sam.

But then maybe, Ali pondered, she should admit to herself it was possible she didn't really know Sam. She had met and fallen in love with Sam Freemont, a carefree bartender on the other side of the country with no responsibilities or anyone but her to focus on. She was now living with Sam Harrington, thrust back into familiar patterns from his old life full of weighted memories and family expectations. Who was the real Sam?

Ali hadn't been prepared for the impact moving back home would force upon their relationship. Before she didn't have to share Sam, he was all hers. They spent days in each other's company. Now, Ali felt she barely had any time with Sam. He was always being pulled in so many directions, keeping commitments, trying to satisfy everyone, making them happy.

There in the dark, with tears dampening her pillow, Ali considered she hadn't been looking at this situation from Sam's perspective. She had been resentful Sam was not doting on her as he had when they first met. She had been upset at him for spending time with others instead of isolating himself with her. She had been angry when he had to rearrange their plans to accommodate an important meeting or opportunity.

She had been selfish.

Sam had put her first. Not always, but many times. Managing the press after Jack's little stunt, the trip to Fiji, seeking her out last night to talk. And so many other little moments she could not count.

He was trying. Trying and failing sometimes. But Sam was attempting to make it all work. Could she say the same of herself?

Ali sat up in bed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Scout raised his head and looked at her as if to say "You Ok?". She played with his soft ears and kissed him on the top of his head.

"Not really Scout, but I will be."

Ali got out of bed, had a quick shower and changed into a pair of comfy yoga pants and one of Sam's pullovers she had purposely packed the night she left. Opening her laptop, she pulled out her checklist from the event and started going through each item.