Page 66 of Last Mile

“And I’m going to get more cake.”

“You do that. But just don’t let your mom and dad know it’s your third piece.”

Bringing her finger to her lips, she shushed me. “They’ll never know unless you tell them.”

I raised my hand. “Scout’s honor.”

She giggled as she ran off in the direction of the food table. With more confidence in my step than I felt, I made my way over to Samantha. She and Mama Liz were chatting like old friends, which was really nice to see.

As I stood in front of her, I cleared my throat. “You wanna dance?”

“Sure.” She climbed off the bench and turned to Mama Liz.

“Don’t go anywhere, because I want to hear more embarrassing stories about Bishop when he was little.”

With a groan, I swept my hand across my face. “Seriously, Mama? That’s what you two were over here talking about?”

“I thought you liked having beautiful women talking about you,” Samantha countered with a smile.

“Not when it includes stories that make me look bad.”

“But they were sweet stories . . . and funny ones. Like the time you sat on Santa Claus’s lap and asked for a wiener as big as your dad’s.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Mama. You’ve known Samantha barely an hour, and you break out the wiener story?”

Mama Liz grinned at me. “But you were so cute and so serious about it. If only we’d had a video camera then, I would have sent it to America’s Funniest Videos.”

“Okay, that’s enough. You two are not allowed to talk to each other ever again.”

Mama Liz and Samantha only laughed at me. “Isn’t he cute when he’s mad?” Mama Liz asked with a grin.

“He’s adorable,” Samantha teased.

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby,” Mama Liz said as she cupped my cheek.

As Samantha said, “Aw,” I threw up my hands. “That’s it. Let’s go dance. Now.”

Sam grinned. “Now you’re a caveman barking out commands, huh?”

Taking her by the hand, I led her over to where the other couples were. When I found a good place for us that wasn’t too close to the band or too crowded, I let her hand go. I then slid my hands around her waist and drew her close to me. Samantha wrapped her arms around my neck. At the feel of her curves again me, I couldn’t help the shiver of desire that ran through me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Just a little chill. I’m fine,” I muttered.

We swayed in awkward silence. “So, I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

Fighting a smile, Samantha asked, “Did Santa finally bring you a wiener as big as your dad’s?”

I threw my head back with a laugh. “Yeah, he did. I could argue it was the best present he ever got me.”

With a giggle, Samantha said, “You’re terrible.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“After that story, how could I not?”