Chapter 15: Strawberry Ice Cream

I knew that Sam wouldn't stay, so when I awakened to an empty bed, I wasn't surprised. I felt empty, but I wasn't surprised. I rubbed my eyes and sighed as I relived the sweet slow love making that I'd just experienced. Sam's body would forever be etched in my mind. Her eyes deep blue eyes as they displayed her lust and desire for me. I will remember the gentle touch of her hands trailing up and down my spine as I made love to her. "Why do you have to be so damned difficult Samantha?" Most women would drop anything to be with me. I dragged myself out of the bed and notice a note lying at my feet on top of the comforter.

Freddie,

I wanted to say goodbye … I really did, but the thought of it just …

I love you, but I can't do a long distance relationship. I'm just trying to save both of us unnecessary pain.

Love

Your Sammy

I scoffed at the letter and went to ball it up, then stopped myself. I wanted to keep it. It may be the last time I ever hear from her. I folded the piece of paper neatly and placed it on the nightstand. I wanted out of the Scott's estate like yesterday. Well maybe not yesterday … I was doing to amazing things last night. I force myself not to think about the amazing time we'd had. I should really hate Sam right now. She was underestimating the both of us. There is so much of my work that I can do without being on set. I could be with her every other night, or at the very least weekly. Maybe I could work to make her see this? Maybe she didn't want to see this? I reread her letter, she said she was mine. I know she wasn't lying; she'd given me her virginity without even second guessing herself. It was as if she'd saved herself for me. She just didn't want me to hurt her … to leave her. That's why she keeps leaving me.

I stare at my bags all packed and ready to go. I had to go back home for a little while and get the contract started on this movie deal. They wanted to see me in person to work out some details. This would be my first conversion of a book into a movie, and the author really wants to be hands on which I can appreciate. After, I handled business I would worry about Sam.

About a month after Carly's wedding …

Sam's POV

I have been having the hardest time getting back into work. I took another week off once I came back to Covington after Carly's wedding. I think I was depressed, I was so tired and achy. I spent most of my time on my couch in my apartment wolfing down half gallons of strawberry ice cream. I never was a big fan of that flavor until now; I'd also developed an unhealthy affection for different flavored fudge, my personal favorite being the cookies and cream. I think I've been using the sweets to fill a new desire that has registered itself within me. I was horny and uncomfortably so. I'd NEVER felt like this before.

So now I am back a work squirming in my chair like a lunatic. I look out into the lobby to see if anyone can see me. I take a spoon out of my desk drawer and go to my personal fridge and pull out some Ben and Jerry's I dive right in. It's so cold and yummy. I plop down at my desk and turn my laptop on. I immediately see an email from Carly.

Sam,

What have you done to Freddie? He's being so distant with me? I keep asking him what's wrong and he doesn't respond.

Carly M. Scott

She just had to just her full name. I smirk, even though my heart is heavy. I had been doing so well in not thinking about Freddie and now seeing his name is conquering up all the memories I'd been trying to suppress. I take another bite of ice cream as I decide whether I am going to respond. I close the tab maybe I will later, and by later I mean not at all.

I decide to go visit with Max so she can catch me up on some of the cases we are working. I don't feel like taking on any new work right now. So we've decided to tag team for a while until I feel up to it. I think she knows that something is off. She hasn't mentioned anything but every now and then she'll stop and stare at me. I knew she wanted to say something but I think she was trying to find the proper words. After a few moments of work and silence Max looks up from her laptop.

"So have you heard from Carly after the honeymoon?" Max prompted and I retorted by narrowing my eyes at her. I know she has some sort of angle. I decide to play into it and see what she's after.

"Uh, no … she shot me an email but no major news. She's probably still being all gooey with her new hubby." I say playfully but cringe for some reason on the inside.

"Oh, so … look there's something I've been meaning to bring up to you, just because I feel weird about it." She looked at me embarrassed, which was odd for her. "I want to know how you are doing."

"What do you mean?" I knew what she was asking but I couldn't answer not without getting upset.

"I know you're depressed Sam, you eat all the time … all the time, and you're gaining weight. I'm just worried Sam, I mean you look like you're not getting any rest. You can trust me enough to let me in; it will make you feel better if you talk about it." She closed her laptop so she could study me thoroughly.

"Butt out Max, I'm fine!" I snapped and she frowned at me, a frown that let me know she wasn't going to drop her interrogation until I gave her what she wanted. Sometimes I hated working with someone so much like me. I sigh and sit back decided how to explain how I feel without giving her too much information.

"I'm regretful, but I'm dealing with my decision. I'm not depression or on the edge Max, damn." I rolled my eyes. I still don't like being viewed as fragile, this whole conversation was making my stomach turn or maybe it was the pounds of ice cream I'd been taking in.

"Please Sam; you've been mopey and impatient with some of our clientele. I figure if you just talk about it once you can start to move past it." She was begging. I can't believe our clients have been talking smack to me about my partner.

"I'm fine! I'll play nicey nice at work but I don't want to talk about this anymore!" I rise from the chair across from her desk abruptly and the room starts to spin. Whoa.

"Sam! I'm just trying to help!"She was going to push this, but my stomach was about to reject what I'd just ate.

"Dude, you're making me," I couldn't even finish my sentence I searched her office hurriedly for her trash can but before I could grab it a sea of pink was now all over Max's carpet and my black pumps. I turn back and see the horrified look of Max's face, God awful, yet delicious strawberry ice cream.

Author's Note: Okay I think everyone now knows where I'm going with this. A big hug and a high five to the first person who figures it out! As always please read and review and no flames!