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“Hey, if you need a day off or something - it’s fine, you know, I’m okay with it.”
“What?..” you blink at Sam in surprise from your spot at the counter.
“Sorry uh,” he chuckles softly into his beard. “It’s just that you look like you wanna ask me somethin’.”
“...Oh.”
“So just… C’mon, just do it,” he shrugs with an absolutely disarming warm smile. “You know I don’t bite.”
Shit, you didn’t realize your employer knows you that well… Although who are you trying to fool? He’s more than just your employer, at least for you. He’s always been so friendly, gentle and understanding that you simply couldn’t perceive him as just your boss. He’s a friend in the first place. A friend you have a huge crush on, unfortunately. Sometimes something about the way he looks at you makes you think it can actually be mutual, it can work out… But neither of you tried to take the first step...
Well… Now you’re about to give it a shot.
“Yeah, um… You’re right actually,” you let out a deep sight, calming yourself a little. “I really wanted to ask you something, Sam. It’s not a day off though.”
“Okay,” he nods, taking a seat next to you at the counter and bringing a mug of coffee to his mouth. “‘M listening.”
“So,” you clear your throat. “You remember my friend Susan, right? So uh… Her brother’s in a baseball team. Anchorage Bucs, you know?
“Yeah, sure. That’s pretty cool,” Sam nods, waiting for you to continue.
“They’re playing this Saturday. It’s gonna be on TV. And uh, Susan suggested we go to a sports bar to watch it, and I really wanna go, but well… She and her boyfriend - they started dating just recently so they’re at this stage, you know, all lovey-dovey and… I just really really don’t want to feel like a third wheel the whole night, so…”
“You want me to be your date?” Sam asks all of a sudden, catching you unawares.
“Yes- No, uh… I mean… It doesn’t have to be a date , it’s just that I thought you might be interested because you always go to Mags’ basketball games-”
Shit, you sound really stupid right now.
“I-I mean I know it’s not the same, but just… I just really would love you to go there with me,” you finally blurt, feeling your cheeks burning like hell and wishing you could just sink into the earth right now. You’re not always this awkward when it comes to guys. In fact, you can be pretty bold. Apparently your crush on this man is just so huge it makes you silly.
There’s no mockery in the way Sam looks at you though. His brown eyes are filled with warmth, and the smile on his lips is amused, but soft and reassuring at the same time.
“Yeah, I’d love that.”
“Yeah?” you probably sound a bit too excited.
“Uh-huh,” he confirms, finishing his coffee and getting on his feet. “Aight. Gotta go run errands… You have a nice day, okay, sweetheart?” he says as he already stands behind your back, and his hands lay on your shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze before he heads to the door.
The “sweetheart” makes you blush again as you nod at him and wave goodbye, even though it’s just his natural way of talking to you. He’s the same with Mags too, so it doesn’t make you any more special. That’s just the way he is - a big and gentle man, and sometimes you just want to fall into his arms, bury your face in his chest and cuddle him to death. Oh god. Good thing he cannot read your mind.
You let out a shaky breath of relief when the door closes behind him. Anyways… You did it! Date or not, but you’re already looking forward to spending Saturday night with him.
The bar is pretty crowded on Saturday, and you’re glad a nice table was booked in advance for the four of you. Like you expected, Susan pays way more attention to her boyfriend rather than her brother’s game, but you don’t mind that at all, feeling surprisingly comfortable with Sam by your side. He seems content and relaxed, his arm laying on the backrest framing your shoulders, and you can’t help leaning against him from time to time, enjoying the warmth of his body against yours.
“You uh… Got any plans?” he asks as you walk towards his truck after saying goodbye to your friends.
“Right now?.. No, I don’t.”
“Wanna take a ride?” he suggests a bit sheepishly, and you think he looks incredibly cute when he looks at you like that - raised eyebrows and a shy smile on his lips.
“Yeah, sure!” you reply, beaming at him. You have no idea what he has in mind, but you trust him with all your heart, and of course you can’t say no to the prospect of spending some more time together.
“Okay, that’s the spot,” Sam murmurs as he stops the car.
“Where are we?” you ask curiously.
“Come, take a look.”
As you get out of the car, you find yourself on the top of a hill, city lights twinkling beneath you together with the stars above.
“That’s beautiful,” you smile, admiring the view.
“Yeah, love this place,” Sam speaks as he approaches you from behind. You can feel his hands on your shoulders, gently sliding down your arms before resting on your waist. “It’s calm, and… I thought it’s kinda romantic.”
“It really is. Do you take all your girls over here?” you joke, and he huffs into your hair.
“Only special ones.”
“Good to know.”
You shift to catch his gaze, those beautiful dark eyes that seem to read you like an open book, you most certainly could drown in their depth. You reach your hand to cup his cheek, fingers brushing through his thick beard, and he leans into your touch, letting out a soft, content hum.
“Can I kiss you?” he asks quietly, his voice deep and slightly hoarse.
“Please.”
His lips are surprisingly tender against yours, his beard tickles your chin, and the warmth of his tongue almost makes you moan as it eagerly darts to meet yours.
“So… I guess this actually is a date,” you mumble as your lips part. Sam smiles, caressing the side of your neck with just his fingertips.
“I suppose so.”