we got married in Vegas, but in the end, does it even matter? He’s trying. I can see that with everything he says and does. I need to not sweat the small stuff and cut him some slack. There, pity party over.
I dress for the warmer weather—cutoff jean shorts and a Pink Floyd T-shirt that I’ve slashed in places and cut holes in, customizing it to fit my style. I shove my feet into my favorite pair of beat-up old white Converse sneakers and grab my cropped leather jacket from behind the door. My hair goes into Viking braids as I can't be bothered to do much else with it and opt for lip gloss with a cherry hue to count as my makeup for the day.
I grab the keycard, my purse, and the cash Asher left me until I can get to the bank to get my new card sorted, and shove everything into my pockets.
Checking my phone, I see there is a text from Asher with the number for his driver, Davis, so I enter it into my contacts and send Davis a message.
Davis replies instantly, telling me to come down to the foyer whenever I'm ready. With nothing else to do, I stick the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher and head out.
Sam is on again today and when he spots me, he offers me a broad, genuine smile. “Good morning. How are you today?” he inquires politely.
I like this guy. He never looks at me like I don't belong here, treating me like he would treat anyone else.
“I'm fine, Sam. How are you?” It isn't until I get closer that he starts to scowl at me, making me think I might have been too hasty in my judgment.
“What on earth happened to you?” he asks, horrified.
He looks over my eye and lip, coming around his large desk to inspect me. I had temporarily forgotten about my injuries.
“I got mugged last night, but I'm okay now,” I assure him when his look darkens further.
I'm not one hundred percent okay, judging from the little wobble I had earlier at the thought of taking the train, but I've convinced myself the more I say it, the more I'll believe it.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you. Please be careful while you’re out today, and if there is anything I can do let me know. My wife likes to dabble with herbs and natural remedies. She has a concoction she uses for bruising. I can get her to make you a batch, if you’d like? It smells like gym socks but it's a miracle worker, I swear.”
Touched by his kindness, I smile. “That would be awesome, thank you, Sam. I'm heading out to do some errands today, but I'm grabbing some lunch for Asher and me before heading home. Would you like me to pick anything up for you?”
His eyes soften at my offer, but he shakes his head, his smile even wider as he pats my hand. “My wife has packed me lunch, but thank you for your kind offer.”
I shrug. “Kindness doesn't cost a thing.” My mother used to say that phrase to me all the time growing up.
“Now, isn’t that the truth. Have a nice day, Mrs. Sloan.”
I jolt at his words but manage to cover it before he notices. It's going to take a while to get used to the name change thing.
“You too, Sam.” I walk through the door he holds open for me and wave goodbye as I head out into the pretty morning sunshine.
I come to a halt when I see a man dressed in a smart gray driver's uniform standing next to an Audi Spyder. I stare at him for so long he coughs and awkwardly waves his hand in front of my face to get my attention.
“Mrs. Sloan?”
I shake myself out of my daze and look to the man I’m guessing is Davis and back to the car.
“A Spyder? Really? Does he even own anything less conspicuous?” I ask with a huff, making him laugh.
“I don’t know how to answer that, miss.” His lips twitch, which I'm taking to mean a big fat no.
“Typical. I'm not going to blend in very well where we'll be going today. People are going to think I stole it,” I mutter as he holds the back door open for me. I slide inside and scoot across the butter-soft leather seats as he chuckles.
“I think with a driver dressed like I am, you'll be fine. Most people