One Blazing Night

Matt looked over at her. She wasn’t at his side.

He looked back. She hadn’t just slowed down; she’d come to a dead stop in the middle of the path.

And she looked pissed. “Tell me what happened.”

“It was nothing.”

“Matt. Tell me. I can see it was no soccer game.”

He walked back to her and pulled her to the side of the path so others could run through. “Look, none of us wanted you to know. That group, Kenny and his crowd, the jocks that used to come by? They said some stuff we didn’t like. I admit I threw the first punch. But that was Logan’s fault.”

Sam’s brows turned downward and she started walking toward the exit. He just had room to be at her side.

“What did Logan do?” she asked.

“He told me to stand back so I wouldn’t get my ‘pretty face’ messed up. Of course I had to take the first shot. I got the shiner when I turned to flip Logan off and Kenny sucker punched me.”

Sam stopped again and stared at him, her expression completely neutral. Until she burst out laughing.

“Why is that funny?”

“I didn’t give a crap what those idiots said. I knew Kenny and his buddy Mark, and between them they couldn’t come up with a grammatically correct sentence. How they got into MIT is anyone’s guess.”

She shook her head. Then her red-tinged eyebrows came together again. “Although I might have been hurt if they’d said really ugly things. I was pretty naive at the time. So thank you for defending my honor. And quite literally taking it on the chin.”

He smiled, warmed by her thanks, her blush. The way the sun’s last rays made her hair shiny like copper and her face golden. He couldn’t help brushing a few strands of hair away from her eyes. “Anytime, Sammy.” He nodded to the exit, just a few feet away. They’d clocked only about four miles, which meant they had some time. “So, what do you say about dinner?”

“Later,” Sam said, not looking pleased. “Maybe.”

“Come on, Sammy. We can get some takeout on the next street. We could eat it in a cab to your place, and then I’ll take the cab back to the apartment.”

“Eat in the back of a cab? No, thank you.”

“Okay, we won’t eat it until we’re at your place.”

She sighed and led him out into the bustle of downtown Boston, where she didn’t stop until she hit the curb and raised her hand for a taxi.

“So,” he said. “You leave me no choice. I’ll have to call Clark to make sure you’re getting the kind of nutrition that’ll put a little meat on those bones.”

She brought her hand down and faced him. “Matthew. When I was a kid, you and the other guys were the best thing I could have asked for. What you three did for my annoying self was beyond wonderful. And you’re right. Back then I needed the nudge now and again. Okay, a lot. But I’m a grown woman now. I don’t need you or Clark or anyone telling me when I should eat. If I’m hungry, I get food. Yes, sometimes I forget or skip a meal—everyone does. But I’m healthy, I assure you. I can take care of myself. No one needs to tell me what to do. Understand?”

She turned and threw her right hand into the air again, and a cab pulled up within seconds.

“Yes. I understand. I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant any disrespect.”

“I know that, you idiot.” She went to the taxi door but didn’t open it. Yet.

“Old habit—you got me there,” he said. “That won’t happen again.”

“Thanks. But I really do have to work. I’ll grab something on the way—”

“Yeah, but—”

“What did I just tell you about me being a grown woman?” She opened the passenger door. “Tomorrow. We’ll have dinner tomorrow.” Then she grabbed his shirt, pulled him down a few inches and kissed him square on the mouth. It wasn’t a long kiss, and there was no tongue involved, but it shocked the shit out of him, and by the look on her face as she pulled back, her, too.

After clearing her throat, she darted into the taxi. But before the door slammed, she said, “Thank you for caring.”

Matt put his hand on the edge of the passenger door. He stared at her for a few seconds. “Now you’ve done it, kiddo. I will find a way to know this new, beautiful grown-up woman. You can count on it.” Then he stepped back to the curb and watched her taxi drive away until it became a blur among other yellow blurs.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he said, then remembered he needed a ride home, too.

* * *

THE PICTURE ON Sam’s computer showed a 3-D bridge being built by a Swedish company she followed on Facebook. Their printer was several levels above her new baby. The bridge had thrilled her when she’d first set eyes on it yesterday, and she’d immediately thought of seven different things she could build. She’d have to get a different kind of 3-D printer, but that was okay. When it came to work, she had no hesitation in buying the latest and best equipment. It was also the time she was most grateful about her success. Well, buying fancy printers could never compete with the day she’d bought a house in Cape Cod for her parents. That had been sweet, especially because she’d been able to keep it a secret until the paperwork went through. Talk about a great surprise.

Kind of like the surprise on Matt’s face after she’d kissed him.

She’d kissed him.

Kissed Matt.

With her own lips. It wasn’t anything epic. Not a Titanic kiss or a Mr. Darcy kiss, but she’d kissed him!

What the hell had she been thinking?

It wasn’t even the kiss that was going to do her in, although she’d often thought that if she ever got the opportunity, she would literally die and go to heaven. But no. She was still here. Clark wasn’t, which was good. All she needed was to have Clark come back for something or other he’d forgotten. Pity he didn’t live farther away. When he caught her working late, he scolded her until she quit. Speaking of being scolded...

She’d said she was a grown-up. A woman to be reckoned with. That last part was implied. But it was all out there now.

A stand. That was what she’d taken. A STAND.

Which meant she had to start acting like a grown-up. Not just with Matt, either. She needed to dive into the role with her whole heart. Until even Clark understood he had no right to scold her for anything.

Oh, God.

It wasn’t just taking the stand or kissing Matt on the mouth that was going to cause havoc. She’d changed the ground rules. She’d never—

The broken record of her thoughts jumped to another track. The words he’d spoken at the end. Calling her “kiddo”—that was pretty clever. But his challenge? How could he possibly get to know the grown-up version of herself unless she was that person?

Maybe she’d—

The door opened. Clark. Of course. He frowned at her as he went to his desk. “Why are you wearing your running gear?”

She looked down in surprise, but yes, he was right. “I went running. I just got back a little while ago.”

“Okay,” he said, still glowering as if she’d stolen the Arkenstone. “And didn’t you say you were going to get some sleep?”

“Well, yes, Clark, I did. And I will. I mean, why does everyone want to tell me what to do? I’m fine. I’m great. Fit as a fiddle. I’m not a waif begging for a meal. I said I would get to sleep early and—”