Free Remembering You by Sandi Lynn

eyes widened. “W hy did you do that?”
    “Well, she was going on and on about how you were looking at her. She said that she could tell you wanted her, and she was going to call and ask you out. She asked me if I knew you and I just kind of said you were gay.”
    Sam cocked his head and let out a chuckle. “You sound like you were jealous.”
    I gasped. “Jealous? No, she was a cougar.”
    “So.” H e smiled.
    I looked at him and shook my head. Was I jealous? Is that why I said he was gay? No way could I be jealous; I barely knew him.
    “So , where are you from, Claire Montgomery?” Sam asked as he leaned across the table.
    Shit, I knew if I had to sit and have a conversation with him, he would start asking me personal questions. I had to think carefully and be cautious not to let anything real personal slip out.
    “Newport Beach,” I blurted out.
    He raised his eyebrows and I put my hand up. “I know what you’re thinking, but—”
    “I’m from Santa Ana,” he said as he cut me off.
    I tilted my head to one side. “R eally?”
    “Yeah, I moved here three months ago to attend U of W.”
    I felt a sigh of relief when he told me he was from Santa Ana. Here were two young people that lived not too far from each other in California, living across the hall from each other, and going to attend the same university. In some way, I found that very comforting. He proceeded to tell me about his mom and Cal and how he worked as a mechanic to help support his family.
    “Te ll me about your family, Claire.” He smiled.
    My walls were up and that was how they were going to stay. “My dad, Harry, is a plastic surgeon. My mom, Corinne, does a lot of charity work, and my sister Zoey married a senator’s son. That’s about it.”
    “Tell me what it was like growing up in Newport Beach.”
    Okay, I had to stop this. He was getting too personal and I couldn’t let him. Besides, how did I say that the only memory I had of my life was the past three years after my accident?
    “It was fine,” I lied. I needed to change the subject quickly. “Do you think you could drive me to the hotel so I can check out and grab my bags? I think I want to stay at the apartment tonight so I’m there first thing in the morning for the delivery truck.”
    His blue-gray eyes turned brighter. “Sure I can. That’s a great idea.”
    The waitress brought over our bill , and when I went to grab it, Sam put his hand on top of mine. Instantly, I felt a surge run through my body. A feeling of warmth and safety pumped throughout my veins.
    “My treat.” H e smiled.
    I shook my head. “Sam, please let me pay for this. It’s my thank you to you for everything you’ve done for me since I’ve been in Seattle, please. I gave him puppy eyes and he smiled.
    “F ine, but the next one is on me.”
    He removed his hand from mine and I flipped over the bill. I rolled my eyes at how , Trish, our waitress, put her name and phone number on the bottom of the bill and wrote, “Call me.” I held up the bill to Sam and he started laughing. Trish walked over when she saw the money on the table. She went to grab the bill and I put my hand on top of hers.
    “Trish, I’m so sorry to tell you that he’s gay.” I smiled as I pointed to Sam.
    She gasped, grabbed the bill , and scurried away. Sam stared at me with wide eyes and then busted out laughing. He was so beautiful when he laughed. I laughed with him as he put his hand on the small of my back and we walked out of Antonio’s.
    “I can’t believe you did that , Claire.” He laughed as he opened the car door for me.
    “Yeah, well, she had it coming. S he shouldn’t be trying to pick up guys that are with a girl. What if I was your girlfriend or fiancée?” The words just fell out.
    He got in the car and smiled at me. “Yeah, you’re right.”
    I could tell he was thinking something , but I didn’t want to know what it was. We drove to the hotel and took the elevator up to my room. The maid had