Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 19

"I miss Tim," I sighed.

"He sends his love and did mention that he had a phone number that receives calls that hadn't changed in years."

"As do I," I added.

"Well, if you were interested, you'd need to make the first call. And I know no one would be upset if you were to reach out to him." The words 'no one' hit with a bit more gravity than the others.

"How is he?" I couldn't stop myself. "Is he happy?"

"He is." Mary's voice filled with her low tone of sincerity. "He struggled a bit at first, but he understands better now. He's started to see someone." She added in an airy tone at the end.

"Ella?" I don't know why it fell out so quickly, but it did.

"No, a sweet young girl from Memphis, Sarah. She seems good for him. Doesn't quite keep him on his toes like..." her words dropped out before she added, "but that's probably a good thing."

"Yeah, it probably is."

"Well, I don't want to keep you. But I wanted to say Happy Holidays, and I wouldn't be upset if I heard from you a bit more often."

I let out a laugh; her motherly side was coming through. "Yes, ma'am," I said in my best Billy impression.

I still had the warm glow of Mary's presence surrounding me when Sam settled next to me from his shower. His hair had a few errant droplets peppering his sweatshirt.

"Hey," I melted into his side as his arm snaked around me.

"Hey," his voice was calling me to lift my face to his for a kiss, which I happily obliged.

"So, I have to tell you something." I needed to tell him about Mary. I didn't want to feel like I was hiding it from him. Everyone had a past that slipped into their future, and my past had a Mary and a Tim pulling themselves back to me, possibly even a Billy.

"I also have something to tell you, but you go first." His smile was soothing, like a warm blanket.

"So, that was Mary," I began. "And Mary is my ex's mother. She's amazing, and I'd like to stay in touch with her. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I completely understand."

"Well, I also have a confession." There was a sheepish look on his face. "I may have overheard your conversation. It's a small place, and there was no other noise, so it just kinda fell in my ears."

I let out a laugh. "I'm kinda okay with that." I shrugged. "I have nothing to hide there since I just told you about it."

"Yeah, and I heard about this guy, Sam I think it was." There was a tease in his tone that tickled his eyes. "He sounds like a real keeper."

I giggled as a warm blush filled my face. "So, you're okay if I stay in touch with Mary and maybe Tim?" I added with a cock of my head.

"Who's Tim, the ex?" There was a bit more edge to his voice.

"No, Tim is my ex's best friend, but I spent a lot of time with him and his girlfriend, Tess. I miss them. I might like to give them a call. Mary said they moved in together," I absently added.

Sam shifted and let his gaze bore into my eyes. "Lil, you can stay in touch with whomever you want. I trust you. The fact that you'd think you need to ask me makes me know I don't have to worry."

"You don't, I promise."

"You promise?" There was a jest in his voice as he leaned into me further. "Let's talk about other promises."

I let out a giggle, knowing what he had caught.

"I remember someone saying they would stop leaving their wet towel on the bed, and yet, when I went into the bedroom just moments ago..." His words trailed off, but his lips continued to graze down my neck.

"Oh, I meant to tell you about that. While I was studying, I think a robber broke in," I began.

"A robber, you say?" He didn't pull his lips from my neck; instead, he continued his trajectory down to my collarbone. "What did this robber steal?"

"Well, he clearly took a shower, so water. And framed me for the towel incident."

"That maniacal thief. We should call the police." Sam's hands were at my waist, pulling me further into him.

"Or we could let this one slide and hope he doesn't return."

"Mmhmm, we could do that." He tugged at my shirt.

"But to be safe, we should probably check the bedroom to make sure he isn't still lurking anywhere," I suggested.

Sam finally lifted his face from my collarbone. "That sounds like the right thing to do." In a swift motion, he slung me over his shoulder. "Now," he continued, "there's a damp spot on the bed from his dastardly towel deeds; we should probably start with a full inspection there in case he left any other damp towels or loose socks strewn around."

The next thing I knew, I was dropping to the bed. "That seems like the prudent thing to do," I agreed.

Sam let out a laugh. "And I always believe in doing what's prudent."