Kendall pisses me off by putting her nose where it doesn't belong. My phone buzzes as I pull into my parent's driveway, indicating I'm getting a text. I guess it's Kendall, but when I check the screen, I see it's Sam. Shit. Now I feel weird. Thank you, Mrs. Kendall Denson!

Hey! Are we still good at checking the house before you head to work tonight?

I stare at his text, unsure how to answer it. Fuck it! Kendall is full of shit.

Hey, Sam. Yeah, we're good. I'll see you at your place at 2:30 if you send me your address.

He quickly replies.

I will if you promise not to start stalking me.

I laugh out loud at his ridiculousness.

You wish.

He responds.

Do I?

I reply with a smile plastered across my face.

If you're so worried, you big baby, give me the house address, and I'll meet you there.

I watch the bubbles, waiting for his response.

Touchy, touchy. Fine. 682 Fallow Lane. Don't be late, or else.

I shoot back.

Or else, what?

His answer is fast.

I'll think of something...

I end the conversation.

I'll see you promptly at 2:30.

I planned to go from Kendall's to Sam's, so I'm prepared for work. I checked the time, and it was 1:30. I grin. You don't want me to be late, Sam. How about forty-five minutes early!!

I pick up a six-pack of Sam's favorite beer before heading to his house. I pull into the driveway as a gorgeous redhead, and Sam leaves his house. I'm surprised when I feel my heart drop.

"Why the hell do you care, Mallory? He's single and unattached," I say aloud, then notice Sam smiling at me through my car window.

"Are you staying in there till the clock reads 2:30?" His eyes crinkle as he grins.

I laugh and shake my head. He opens the door and reaches out his hand for me to take. Instead of taking his hand, I hand him the six-pack of beer.

He places a hand on his chest. "Whoa. What's this? And you're early?" He starts to look around. "Am I on candid camera?"

"Ha, ha, very funny," I say as I get out of the car and again see the redhead standing there watching our conversation.

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry. Mallory, this is my twin sister Sammy."

"Sammy? Really?" I can't contain my smile.

He shrugs. "Uh, yeah. Samuel and Samantha."

"Hello, Mallory. It's very nice to meet you." She extends her hand, and I take it.

Sam clears his throat.

"I wasn't aware that Sam had a twin sister," I glared at Sam.

"I'm not surprised. Sam likes to pretend that I don't exist, so I stop in now and then to remind him."

Sam looks uncomfortable as hell, and I love it.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you as well. I hope I'm not taking Sam away from sibling bonding time."

Sammy looks back at Sam. "I like her."

Sam blushes, and it's so cute.

"I like her, too," I add.

Sam then gives himself a facepalm.

"Well, I have an appointment. Thanks again for lunch, Sam." She turns back to me. "It was nice meeting you."

I smile warmly. "You, too."

Sammy gets into her vehicle, starts it, and then waves before backing out of Sam's driveway.

I turn to Sam. "Twin sister, huh?"

"Unfortunately," he grimaces.

I smack his chest. "And, here, I thought that you didn't have a mean bone in your body. Boy, I was wrong."

"Not that I'm trying to change the subject, but I am. What brings you by so early? I thought that you were coming after visiting Kendall," he inquires.

"Yeah! I was until we disagreed, and I stormed out," I admit, shifting my eyes to the ground.

Sam's eyes widen with surprise. "Seriously? What happened?"

I roll my eyes. "Kendall is under the illusion that you're in love with me. Can you believe that? I just buried my fiancé ten months ago. She told me not to be blinded by my grief and to see that you love me," I sigh, feeling the anger again.

I notice Sam lower his head. "I'm guessing that must have pissed you off."

"It did. I don't want her to ruin our friendship. I like how we are. You throw the love word in there, and it freaks me out." I fight back my tears, not wanting to cry before Sam.

Sam raises his head to look at me. "Listen, Mallory. I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have. Please don't let other people's observations of our relationship mess that up, okay?"

"Okay," I sniff and wipe the single tear that escaped from my cheek.

"Also, don't be mad at Kendall. She cares about you and wants to see you happy. She's just seeing how much I care about you and is making assumptions. Only you will know when you're ready to move past a friendship if that's what you want. I'm not going anywhere," he confesses.

"Is that what you want?" I ask, meeting his gaze.

He shakes his head. "No, not right now. You're not ready for that, and I understand."

I hesitate before asking my next question. Do I want to know the answer? "But, if I was ready?"

"I'm not answering that question because you're not ready, and that's okay." He wipes another stray tear from my cheek with his thumb, then smirks at me. "I think I enjoy picking on my BFF too much."

"Your BFF, huh?" I grin back.

"Yeah, I know, but you take what you can get in my line of work." He winks at me.

I smack him on his bicep.

He rubs his arm. "What is this? Smack a great-looking doctor's day?"

I pretend to gag.

"What?" He looks at me like I just kicked his puppy.

"Great looking doctor? Have you ever looked into the mirror?" I quickly cover my mouth to stifle my laugh.

"Ouch." He pouts, faking sadness.

Sam places his hand on his chest. "Maybe I don't want you as a neighbor anymore."

I put my hands on my hips. "Why? You don't appreciate brutal honesty?"

He rolls his eyes. "I might be in the market for a new BFF."

"Nah, you know how difficult it can be to find one in your line of work. So, I guess that you're stuck with me."

We're interrupted by my phone ringing. "It's Kendall."

"Answer it. I'm going to put the beer in the fridge. Come in when you finish your conversation." He turns and walks away.

"Hello."

"Mal?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"I should have kept my comments to myself," Kendall admits.

"I shouldn't have run out on you. You just freaked me out. I'm not ready to see anybody like that, Ken," I respond.

"I know. I was way out of line. Your relationship is between Sam and you," Kendall adds.

"Yes, Ken. It is. We're both happy where we are right now. He knows that I'm not ready for anything deeper, and he's okay waiting," I explain.

"He's a good guy, Mal."

"He's a great guy, Ken."

"Yes, he is."

I check my watch. "I have to go; we leave to see the house soon. Don't forget to remind me to tell you a little tidbit I found out about Dr. Daniels today."

She giggles, "Oh, sounds juicy."

"Bye, Ken, love you. Give Benny a big kiss from me."

"I love you, too. I'll relay your message to Benny. Bye, Mal."

I hang up and go into Sam's home. Nothing says more about a man than his house.

Sam meets me at the door. "Hey. Is everything okay?"

I smile at his concern for me. "Yeah. Everything's good. Thank you."

He shrugs. "For what? I didn't do anything."

"You talked sense into me. Do you even realize what an accomplishment that is?" I ask with a smirk.

He does that damn sexy grin. "I guess I have a hidden talent that I never knew I had."

My eyes look up to the ceiling. "Mmmhmm."

"Are you ready to go? I think you'll love this place," he says excitedly.

I take a moment to look around Sam's place. It's very masculine and has an open floor concept with vaulted ceilings. The color scheme is brown and cream, but the few pops of color give it a warm feeling, just like Sam.

"I have a question, and you must answer truthfully," I demand, crossing my arm across my chest.

Sam also crosses his arms. "No matter what, Mallory, you can always count on me being truthful."

My heart skips a beat. "Did you decorate your home yourself, or did you have help?"

He laughs that deep, sensual laugh I would pay money to hear. "Wow, that's a serious question."

I raise my brow. "Are you making fun of me, Dr. Daniels?"

He places his hand over his heart. "Never."

"Yeah, sure. Just answer the question," I order.

"How much is riding on my answer?" He pretends to be fearful.

"So much." I exaggerate.

"Damn, now you have me nervous."

I place my palm on my forehead. "Just answer the damn question, Sam.

"Um... well... my sister helped, but I was very hands-on and had to approve everything."

I give him a half smile. "Uh-huh."

"How did I do? Did I pass? Please, dear God, say I passed." Sam's hands are together as if he is praying.

"You're an asshole." I laugh.

Sam furls his brows, but I can tell he's trying not to laugh. "Just answer the question, Mallory."

"Yes, you passed," I reluctantly admitted.

He pretends to wipe sweat from his brow. "Whew."

"So, why the question?" he asks curiously.

"I wanted to see how much I could depend on your thoughts about the house we're going to look at," I confess.

"Ahhh. Speaking of the house, we better get going. It's a five-minute walk."

"We're walking?"

"Yep."

When we leave out of the front door, Sam reaches for my hand, and I let him. We walk holding hands to the home, and Sam says that would be perfect for me.