Chapter 16

We ordered pizza for lunch, played around the compound with Sam, danced and sang until it was 6 pm when he announced his imminent departure. His phones would not stop buzzing, which meant some people needed him too. It could also be his many love interests.

How is that any of your business? Are you getting jealous, Debby? Get your head out of your ass. He is not your man.

We walked him to the car and bid him farewell, but he held me back with his hand gripping my wrist, and the second one was tapping rapidly on the steering wheel.

"Sup?"

"Debs… I miss you too already."

"Same here. We miss you too. It has been long since we had this much fun."

"Right? I feel the same, so I want you and Sam to spend next weekend with me at my place."

Say what?

"Are you crazy? We just met, and you are inviting us to spend the weekend with you?"

"Strange. I know. So, let's do it this way. Inspect my place on Wednesday and decide if a weekend is workable after that."

"I don't know what to say… This is ridiculous. Samuel, as tempting as that sounds, I think I am going to say no."

Did you say you think instead of rejecting outright? Way to leave the door open, Debby.

"Why? What is the proper season for saying no?"

"I feel comfortable around you, and I like the fact that Sam warmed up to you. We do like you, and it sounds fun, but we do not know you. You are a stranger, Samuel."

"Am I a stranger, though?"

"Yes."

"I mean… Does it feel that way for you?"

"It may not feel that way, but it does not change the fact that you are."

"Come on, Debs. You trusted me enough to allow me into your home, so trust me enough to come into my home."

"Now that you mentioned it, I realize how reckless I was."

"Do you regret letting me into your home?"

"No. At least…. not yet."

"Then take the same leap of fate. I am opening my door to you and asking you to come in. Please… come on. Please. I know I am asking for a lot, but trust me and say yes. Please."

"Stop with the puppy eyes."

"Please… please. I promise it will be fun. Come on… Even my princess looks enthusiastic about stepping out of this place you have had her hidden since she popped out of you. Do not restrain her further. She wants to visit, and I can tell you do too, so shut that nagging inside you and say yes. Please, Debs."

Damn those puppy eyes. He knows how to disarm me.

For who is someone faking restraint, you are shining your thirty-two sets, Debby.

Oh, shove a stick where the sun does not shine, you stupid inner voice.

"Alright, Mr Badger. I guess we are inspecting your place come Wednesday. But let it be known that you two coerced me… I hate the fact that dimples are my damn weakness. And you two are packing a double punch."

The smile that lit his face was so infectious that I was still grinning from ear to ear as I approached my gate after he left.