Park Avenue Prince(47)

I peeled my gaze away from the entrance. “No. You’ll know when you see him. How’s the baby?”

“The baby’s a baby. She doesn’t do much. I want to hear about Sam. Is he the first man you’ve dated with a real job? Does he know what to do with his tongue?”

“You know we’re in public, right?” I asked.

She shrugged as her husband, Max, and her sister-in-law, Scarlett, joined us. “Happy birthday,” Max said, kissing me on the cheek.

“Thank you.”

“Happy birthday,” Sam said from behind me. I shivered. Had I ever known a man whose voice could make my whole body react? With just four syllables, Sam had made my nipples hard and my knees weak. I looked over my shoulder just as his hand slipped around my waist. He grinned at me and kissed me on the lips.

We were really doing this.

And for the first time I wasn’t making sure my boyfriend wasn’t checking out other girls or annoying my friends.

He broke our kiss and pulled back. “You look beautiful.” He grazed his thumb across my cheekbone, not even glancing at what I was wearing, just pulling me toward him so we were thigh against hip. “I’m Sam,” he said to the group, “and this is Angie Jenkins.” I hadn’t seen the blonde girl next to him—when Sam was around, all I could focus on was him.

“Angie, hi,” I said and tried to pull away to greet her, but Sam kept me pressed firmly against his side.

After everyone introduced themselves, we made our way to the long dinner table. I’d invited forty-two people. Some family. Some friends. I hadn’t wanted a big party, just a quiet dinner. I sat in the middle. The table split quite easily into family at one end, starting with my dad next to me on my left and my mother the other side of him, and then my friends to my right. I hadn’t seated Sam next to me, but as I sat down and the heat of his hand left my hip, I wanted to quickly switch the name cards.

Harper didn’t even try to hide her delight with Sam and as soon as they sat down, she peppered him with questions.

“So, your husband’s working tonight? What does he do?” I asked Angie.

“He has a small construction company in Jersey.” Her gaze scanned the room, taking in the restaurant and then settled on me. “He’s working all hours at the moment on an office building they can’t touch during the day.”

“Oh, that’s tough, but I’m really pleased you could make it. I’m just sorry it’s for something like this and not somewhere where it’s just us. I can’t wait to get to know you better.” I held my breath, hoping she’d feel the same.

“Don’t be, it was nice of you to invite me. Sam really wanted me to come.” She shifted a little to allow the waiter to fill her water glass.

“So, you live in New Jersey?” I asked.

She laughed. “Yeah, my whole life. Thought it would be the last place I’d want to spend married life but Chas will never leave, so I guess I’m stuck.”

I knew she and Sam had been to high school together, and I wanted to ask her questions about him. Did he talk to her about his parents?

“I heard you grew up in his building?” Angie asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure he refers to me as the Park Avenue princess.”

Angie smiled and said, “I haven’t noticed him say that, but then, as I’m sure you’re finding out, he only says a fraction of what goes on in that big brain of his.”

“That’s for sure. I have to stop myself from asking him what he’s thinking eleven times an hour.” The waiters began serving our food and a murmur went around the table as plates were put in front of people.

“So, you’re spending a ton of time together then?”

Only most nights since I’d come back from Connecticut. “Yeah, though I haven’t known him long.”

“You have to take care of him,” she said, lowering her voice and leaning in to me just a fraction. “I’ve never seen him so taken with a woman. He likes you an awful lot.”

I reached for my water glass and took a sip. I really wanted to put it against my cheek to get rid of my blush. “I like him an awful lot, too.”

Angie smiled and squeezed my hand. “I hope so.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that he’s never liked anyone. And I imagine you’ve had other boyfriends . . .”

“It’s different for me, too. Maybe not as much as it is for Sam, but he’s not like any of my previous boyfriends. He keeps so much inside, and yet he’s the most open and honest man I’ve ever met. I will do everything not to hurt your friend, I promise.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to come across as overprotective . . .”

“I don’t blame you. It’s nice that you look out for each other.”

Angie laughed. “When I started dating Chas, he and Sam came to blows one night when Sam saw him talking to a woman at a bar. Sam didn’t ask any questions, just saw red and punched him. We’re a little protective of each other.”

I knew it was irrational, but I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. I wanted to have known Sam his whole life. There was still so much about him I didn’t know. I couldn’t imagine the cool, calm Sam Shaw punching someone. “Does he have a temper?” I asked, suddenly concerned.