Summer of Love - Carly Phillips Page 0,69
her to potential disappointment or upset if the keys turned out to be a dead end or something disturbing like a drug stash. There was also the fact that someone did want something from Sam and she couldn’t be left alone for even a second.
Fate intervened in the form of Ryan’s mother. To their surprise, she called to ask if she could spend time alone with Faith’s daughter. Zoe’s gut instinct was to rebel against the notion, but in her heart, she understood that this woman was Sam’s grandmother and any form of bonding was best for all involved, especially Sam. The teenager knew little about her mother’s life growing up. After Ryan had given his mother a stern lecture, the older woman agreed to choose her words carefully when she spoke to Sam about her mother.
With luck, Vivian could help Sam feel a part of this family and make her feel more grounded when it came to her past. With luck, Zoe thought, still not completely trusting any members of the Baldwin family other than Ryan.
It took some convincing to get Sam to go back to the Baldwins’ without Zoe and Ryan tagging along, but Ryan promised her she could pick her favorite food for dinner and then during the week go shopping at Baldwin’s.
Zoe suspected it was the shopping bribe that did the trick, and they dropped Sam off with her grandmother along with strict orders: if asked, she was to say that Ryan and Zoe were off spending time together. Nothing more, not to anyone.
Ryan remained silent during the ride until Zoe couldn’t take being frozen out anymore. “I’m sorry,” she said at last.
One hand on the wheel, he briefly turned toward her. “For?”
That was a good question, Zoe thought. For causing distrust and upheaval in his life? For not just handing Sam over like she was a possession?
“For accusing your uncle,” she said, addressing only one of the many issues between them.
He shrugged. “Just because he’s been good to me doesn’t mean he’s the easiest person to know or like. I hope this little trip will convince you that his interest in Sam is genuine.”
But from his tight jaw and steely expression, she didn’t believe him. She wondered if his internal turmoil had anything to do with the fear that perhaps she was on to something with his uncle, then tossed that notion aside. In his mind, blood ties ran deep, loyalty ran even deeper, and his uncle had been his only friend in a conflicted upbringing.
“How much longer till we get there?” she asked, glancing at the dashboard clock.
“About ten minutes. We have time. So tell me something.”
She was happy to have conversation. “What do you want to know?”
“More about you. I know all about your family life, but I don’t know that much about you.”
“I’m an open book.”
He raised an eyebrow at that. “Ha.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you talk this nice game about openness and being yourself, yet I don’t know much about you. Who are your friends outside of your family?”
She opened her mouth in surprise. “Are you insinuating I don’t have friends?”
“I didn’t meet any besides family while I stayed with you.”
“My work kept me very busy and away from home. I have agency friends I left behind and some I see for drinks every once in a while,” she said, feeling extremely defensive. “What about you? I haven’t noticed a whole lot of messages from guys asking you to go to a Red Sox game or out for a beer. Or is it that you’re too good for a cold brew?”
He burst out laughing. “Now that’s the Zoe I love. Get defensive, throw it back in my face. I admit to not having much of a social life. Lawyers work long hours, and we socialize with other attorneys. A quick drink with one of my partners before heading home or a date with someone if the mood strikes.”
A date. “Anybody important in your life?” She couldn’t help but ask, though she was shocked that as close as they’d been, neither had opened up much before now.
For someone who prided herself on her independence, she was appalled at how her palms grew damp, and her stomach knotted as she waited for his reply.
He pulled off at the exit and stopped at a red light. Turning, he faced her. “No, Zoe. Nobody else important.”
She met his gaze. Heat and something much more intense passed between them until a car honked, breaking