Quantum Ghost.

11. Samantha

Robert knocked on Kara's apartment door. He was surprised at how nervous and excited he felt. He could bide his anticipation at seeing her again.

The door opened and to his surprise Sam stood before him. She looked at him for a second scanning him from head to foot.

"Good evening Samantha."

"Sam. Everyone just calls me Sam." Her tone was restrained. He had the uncanny feeling that she was debating the fact, whether to allow him entry or simply to close the door in his face.

Her glistening auburn locks were tide in a simple ponytail behind her head. Her face was devoid of any emotional expression.

"Good evening Sam. Is Kara in?"

She raised one eyebrow and again openly allowed her eyes to run over his torso. Robert felt very self-conscious and she smiled when she saw the frown on his brow, turned around and walked back into the apartment waving him in. Robert reluctantly followed her in.

Sam fell down on one of the chairs and an ostensible grin appeared on her face.

"Kara won't be long…." Robert nodded and his eyes glanced around the apartment.

"So what are you two up to tonight?" She motioned with her hand for him to take a seat. Robert sat down on one of the chairs. He could sense that Sam in spite of her bold actions, felt somewhat uncomfortable in his presence. This puzzled him somewhat. He could think of no reason to justify her behavior.

"We'll see what the night brings." His voice was flat. She frowned and looked at the kitchen.

"Coffee?"

"No thanks."

"So, Kara tells me you and Jason work at the Sport's Shop in town."
"Yeh."

"That is nice." The tension in the room was becoming tangible. Then it struck him like a lighting bolt. Could it be that she was trying to find out about Jason? We'll, given Jason's luck with the ladies…. It could very well be…Yes that must be it.He though and suppressed a smile with an effort.

He looked at her in the light. Sam is a very attractive woman with her hair out of her face, he saw the freckles on her skin more clearly. He even noticed the dimples on her cheeks.

She seemed anxious and he was sure of the reason for this.

"You and Jason seemed to have hit it off Saturday?" he watched her reaction very closely.

She looked at him, shocked at the mention of Jason's name.
"Yeh, he seems nice." She remarked and as her gazed lifted to meet his, it became clear to her what he was implying.

"O. No, you have the wrong idea. He is fun to hang out with, and we got along just fine but his not my type. Nothing personal he is your friend and all but Jason is a player, and I don't date players."

"That's funny. He said the same about you."
"What? He said I'm a player?" her voice sounded annoyed.

"No, he said that you were very interesting but not his type."

"O." Her expression was flustered.

Robert Tally is not the type of man who likes to play games. He believes that the direct approach is usually the best approach. He could sense now with her defenses down that Sam had different a reason for being here.

She looked anxious and unsure of herself.

"Well, it's just that… I." She took a deep breath to steady herself.

"I don't want to interfere in other people's lives." She spared a look in the direction of Kara's room before continuing.

"You don't know Kara like I do, and well it's just… Kara is a good kid, girl, woman and she has been through a lot the last year or so and I thought that you should…" She stopped. She bit her bottom lip and frowned. She looked him straight in the eye.

"Kara is very dear to me, and I don't want to see her get hurt? She does not deserve to be played with."

There was a moment of silence as Robert waited for her to continue, but she remained silent.

"And you want to know if I'm a player like Jason?"

She did not reply she just continued staring at Robert.

"Kara is not a child Sam. I think she can make up her own mind, don't you?" He said flatly.

Sam opened her mouth to answer but just smiled as her eyes went past him.

Robert glanced over his shoulder and rose out of his. A smile lit up his face when he saw her standing in the opening. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a very colorful top.

He felt the butterflies in his stomach flutter up again as his heart sped up it rhythm.

She is so beautiful.He thought to himself as she entered the room and his whole mood lighted up.

"Hi, sorry I'm late." She glanced at him and then at Sam.

"Did I interrupt something?" she said with a smile but her voice did not hide the fact that she noticed the tension in the room.

"Well time for me to go, you guys enjoy yourselves." She walked to Kara and hugged her.

He nodded stiffly and with that Sam left.

He turned his attention to Kara.

"You look lovely." He avowed with admiration in his eyes.

"Thank you. Considering the fact that I have no idea of where we are going to this will have to do."

© Cornél Ramsay 2009