SECOND CHANCES
Chapter 1
Samantha Forster was heading into Phil's Fill Up to get a bottle of soda when she heard her name. She turned around and saw Bryan Ely just getting out of his SUV. Sam smiled brightly at him and waited for him to catch up to her.
"Hey Sammy, how are you?" Bryan asked her. Bryan was one of the older brothers of her friend Jake. She and Bryan had always been attracted to each other, but neither had ever acted on it due to Sam being away at college. Sam had graduated from college a couple of nights before and would turn 22 years old tomorrow.
"I'm good, how are you?" Sam responded, giving him a hug and a kiss.
"I'm terrific," Bryan answered. He held the door open for her and waited for her to go through. "Are you coming on roundup?"
"Yep," Sam nodded. "You?"
"Yep," Bryan echoed and the two of them smiled at each other. Something seemed to crackle between them.
Sam turned knowing she was starting to blush and quickly opened the refrigerated door to get out a soda. She stuck her face in a bit longer than necessary until she felt the heat in her face dissipate.
"Want something?" Sam glanced over her shoulder and asked Bryan.
She blushed again at the look on Bryan's face.
"No, not a soda, thanks," Bryan's eyes were dark in his dark face as he met her eyes.
Sam had to look away as she shut the door. She stood there wondering what to say to him.
"Tomorrow's your birthday," Bryan said.
"Yes," Sam almost whispered. "I'm sorry I missed yours and Quinn's last month."
"It's okay," Bryan assured her.
"It's not every day you turn 25," Sam said.
"No," Bryan chuckled, knowing what she was doing. "You have three years to worry about that."
"Yes," Sam blushed again. "I better pay for this and get Dad's truck home."
"Okay," Bryan responded, going with her to the front where Sam paid for her soda.
"You didn't get anything?" Sam asked.
Bryan shook his head. "I just came in to see you."
Sam's eyes met his again.
"Your change," the gal behind the counter interrupted the looks the two were passing back and forth.
"Oh," Sam blushed. "Thanks."
Sam though the gal behind the counter looked amused and she took the change and headed out of the store.
"Sam," Bryan caught up to her and put his hand on her arm to stop her.
Sam looked up at him and his mouth came down on hers, his lips soft and pliable. She was surprised, but recovered quickly to kiss him back, moving into his hard body.
"Happy birthday," Bryan whispered against her mouth.
"It's not my birthday yet," Sam whispered back.
"I won't see you again until the day after," Bryan reminded her.
"Yes," Sam smiled up at him.
"I'll try to give you one then too," Bryan said, his lips finding hers again.
Sam felt her heart beating erratically in her chest as she kissed him back. When they broke apart, they smiled softly at each other before Bryan got back into his Yukon. With a last look at her and a wave, Bryan drove towards home.