Meena reached up and stroked his face. “Don’t give me more credit than I deserve.”
“I will. For now,” Sam said. “Until you start giving yourself some—then I’ll back off to keep your ego in check.”
She wanted to kiss him. But she couldn’t want Sam. He wouldn’t be a distraction or a temporary person. He would expect more than she could give. Meena dropped her hand, rolled over on her side, and closed her eyes. A few minutes later, she was warm under a blanket.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Meena knocked on Sam’s door and waited. Nothing. She knocked again. He was likely out. Instead of walking away, Meena tried the handle. Of course it was unlocked. Still she hesitated. It was odd to walk into someone’s home without an invitation. Meena ducked her head in and said hello into an empty room. Slowly she entered, leaving the door ajar.
Sam’s place was very different from Neha’s. The living room was small, cozy, though the high ceilings gave off the impression of roominess. The walls were painted in a soft gray. The art mostly black-and-white lithographs. The furniture erred on the side of comfort over style. The gray pillows on the sofa were lumpy, and she could picture Sam on the couch with his head against the arm, watching the big screen hanging on the wall facing the front door.
Noting the quiet, she was about to leave when Wally burst through the small entryway to the left. She crouched down as the pup ran into her and began his usual jumping and scrambling to try to get as close as possible.
“Hi, Wally, hi.” Meena gave him all the scratches he requested.
“No jumping,” Sam called out.
Meena put his paws on the rug and frowned into the pup’s face. “Sorry, Wally. We have to follow Strict Sam’s orders.”
He yelped and stared longingly at Meena.
She gave him scratches behind his ears. “Blame him. Not me.”
“You and the aunties are why he’s spoiled and hard to train,” Sam said. “Wally, go lie down.”
The dog looked at Sam, then turned away, resting his head in Meena’s lap.
“Wally.” Sam’s voice took on a stern tone. “Bed.”
The dog blew out air from his nose in frustration.
She heard a matching sigh from Sam. He went over to a small jar on the little table by the door. Wally’s ears perked up. Sam pulled out a tiny bone-shaped treat. Wally jumped up on all fours and went to Sam.
“Bed,” Sam said.
Wally stared at the treat.
“Bed,” Sam repeated.
Wally slowly moved to the dog bed next to the couch and sat. His tail wagged back and forth as he waited eagerly for his treat.
Sam went over to him. “Lie down.”
Wally finally lay down, his face resting on his front paws. Sam gave him the treat.
“Hopefully that occupies him for a bit,” he said. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Seeing him reminded her of the way she’d been with him, and her face flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, I knocked but didn’t hear you. I, uh, should have come by later. When you were back.”
“I’m back now.”
He was in black sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His hair was shiny at the tips, likely from his being out in the snow.
“Do you want tea?” Sam asked. “Don’t tell the aunties, but I use tea bags for a quick hit. Chai is too much work.”
“If you don’t tell them I drink instant coffee,” Meena said.
“If you want coffee,” Sam offered, “I can make you an espresso or a latte.”