Chapter Nine
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"Each moment of the year has its beauty, a pictures which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Martin POV
Dammit. I always knew that the day that Jack came back was going to be the worst day of my life. I knew that the second that Sam saw him, the minute that they were alone together, would be when I lost her. I thought that we had something good, something that would last, and maybe Sam would come out of this relationship loving me, like I have loved her for the last three years. I guess I was wrong, I was just someone to keep her busy, to block away all the pain. I should have known. Samantha Spade would love no man like she loves Jack Malone.
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Sam's POV
I can't believe that Jack is back. I can't believe that he left Marie more. His girls, his family. They used to be everything to him, but now? I don't know what I am going to do. There are so many ways that this could go. I could be with Jack, like I have always wanted. Have a family with the man that I love. Be happy, be loved.
Or... or I could stay with Martin. He loves me. I know that he does. I can see it in his eyes each and every time that he looks at me. We are good together, I know that... But... we aren't as good as Jack and I. Jack always knew what I meant, and what I was feeling just by looking at me, or by the pitch in my voice. Martin, well he always asks me what's wrong or how I am doing. I get away with so much with him. Hiding how I am feeling has always been my strong suite, but since knowing Martin I've perfected it.
Truth is. I think that the only reason why I ever thought that it could work with Martin is because Jack wasn't around. Now that he is back I don't know where that leaves us. I saw the look in his eyes when Martin grabbed my hand and I didn't pull it away. I never thought that Jack would ever leave Marie. I never thought that Jack would ever be coming back four months later to New York, to tell me that he has left Maria and is moving back to the city. I never really believed that Jack and Marie would ever really be over.
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Sam's POV
I am going to meet Martin for dinner tonight. He told me to meet him at Jacobson, a restaurant that is a favorite of ours. He said, "that we need to talk," that can't be good. I can't think of the number of times that I have dropped that line on to unsuspecting guys. But tonight I think that we aren't going to stray far from the topic of Jack Malone.
As I approach the table I see Martin sitting there deaf to everyone else surrounding him as I walk towards him. Over the last few months whenever we have gone out it has always been like this. To tell you the truth; a girl could get used to this. When I get to our table Martin stands up to pull out my chair for me. But before that he pulls me to him and kisses me.
"Hey sweetheart," he says as he lets me go and as I sit down.
"Hey," I say waiting for him to sit down. "What's up? Over the phone you sounded upset, and you said that we 'needed to talk.'"
"Sam," he starts, and I flinch on the inside. The only person that I ever liked to call me Sam was Jack. But Martin has seemed to pick it up. "We need to talk about Jack and what happened today," I nod in understanding. "I know that over the last few months you've kept in contact with him. But today at the office he seems completely shocked to find out that he have been dating."
"Matin," I start. But he doesn't stop and keeps on going.
"But its seems funny to me, that we've been dating for about three months and you didn't once mention it to Jack in all the times that you have talked. At first I didn't read to much into it. But it got me to start thinking. Why not? Why not tell Jack Malone, you ex-boyfriend, or affair buddy," at my shocked face he smirked. "Yes, I know all about that. But it occurred to me that you weren't going to tell that man that you loved... no wait, love, that you moved on and are now dating me. So Sam, tell me why? Why couldn't you tell Jack about is?"
I just sat there staring at him. Never before had he ever spoken to me like that. Each and every time he ever spoke to me he was nice and sweet. Now he just sounded evil, and mean. So I began.
"First, Martin. Don't you ever speak like that to me ever again," keeping my voice low and threatening. "You have no right what so ever," I said leaning over the table to talk to him so that only he could hear me. "To talk to me. No right what so ever. I don't know who you think you are telling me, no asking me my I didn't tell Jack about us. I never expected that our innocent flirting and drinks would ever lead anywhere. Yes, I am happy that we did end up together. Bot no way did Jack Malone ever leave my heart. Not even for one second. That might sound evil and rude of me to say, but it's true. Yes, I still love Jack, and I always will. Nothing will ever change that."
"Woah," said Martin with a stunned look on his face. I don't know who was more shocked me or him. Never did I think that those words would come out of my mouth. "Well Samantha, I always know, but I never though that you would tell me," he looked broken. "I'm sorry."
"Martin."
"No, no. I really am. I had no business talking to you like that. I guess that I was just angry. I knew that this," he says waving his hand back and forth between us, "would never last . I am just happy that it happened. I won't make it odd back at the office if you won't," he says standing up. "Especially if you and Jack get together. By Sam," he says as he comes over and kisses me on the cheek. "See you Monday," and with that he is gone.
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Sam's POV
That did not just happen. It couldn't have. Break ups don't work like that. They don't. I am living proof. But now what do I do? I can't just go to Jack and tell him that Martin and I have broken up... can I?
I wonder where he is staying. I think I heard him tell Danny that he never got rid of his apartment in the city. I am gonna go talk to him...
...But am I ready?