Chapter 7
Sami left from having lunch with her mother that afternoon, feeling no better than when she'd left her house. She'd presented the problem to Marlena and as always her mother had approached it matter of factly. "He feels he has a reason to worry sweetheart." Her mother had said. That's something that will only go away with time. Unless, of course, you are willing to give up your friendships with Tony, which I already know you're not." Sami shook her head at her mother and Marlena continued. "Well then, you just have to be patient and keep reassuring him. Sooner or later he'll feel more secure." "I know." Sami had said. But deep down inside, she still wasn't sure. Was giving up Tony and their relationship the only way to make Lucas feel secure? But she knew that wasn't a compromise she was willing to make. Tony needed her and after all they'd been through together, she couldn't turn her back on him. Lucas would just have to understand that, and perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps someday, with time and reassurance he would.
Sami stopped in front of Balistix and admired the dress in the window. As she was about to stop in to try it on, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to find her brother in law, Phillip, grinning at her. "Hey there sis!" Phillip said cheerfully. "Hey there bro!" Sami said reaching up to kiss his cheek. "Got time for a cup of coffee with me?" He asked her. "Yeah, I think I can manage that!" She said smiling and linking arms with him. It was yet another bond that had been formed out of the tragedy of her assignment, this newfound affection between herself and Phillip. She'd never really paid much attention to him as a child, but ever since he'd helped rescue her that night, she'd looked upon him as another brother. That feeling had only gotten deeper since her marriage to his brother Lucas.
"So what's new in the wild and wacky world of the ISA." Sami asked him after sitting down and ordering a latte. "Not much really." Phillip said, sounding a bit disappointed. "I got into this for the adventure and I hoped I would be helping people, but all I seem to be doing lately is training and paperwork." Sami hid her smile at the downcast expression on Phillip's face. She'd been so much like him when she'd first started working for the ISA, but she'd seen more action than she'd ever wanted to. "Phillip, it takes time and I'm sure that once they feel you're really ready, they'll send you out there." Sami said although she secretly hoped not. She'd just discovered how nice it was to have family around and she didn't want to lose any of them. At the thought, she asked a new question. "Has there been any word from John?" "Not really, the last I heard he was in Istanbul and working his way south." Phillip said. "I wish I was with him." Sami patted his hand sympathetically and glanced at her watch. "Oh shoot." She exclaimed, "I'm sorry but I gotta go. I've got a business appointment at the club." She got up and gave Phillip a hug. "Do me a favor ok?" "What? Phillip asked. "Don't be in such a hurry to get shot up. I'd rather have you well prepared than hurt cuz you weren't!" She said to him earnestly. "I get ya!" Phillip said sheepishly. "Good!" She said kissing his cheek. "I'll see you later." "Yeah see ya." Phillip said as he watched her go. He turned away, giving the tall thin man who'd been watching the exchange with much interest, the opportunity to follow Sami unnoticed by anyone.