Sam stood nervously outside the building. His breathing was heavy and his knees were trembling. Why had he come here? He shook his head and knocked on the door of the huge house. He rubbed his slick palms together, trying to calm his nerves. He could feel himself becoming dizzy and he looked down at the ground. He was so busy trying to pull himself together that he hadn't noticed the door open.
"Hello?" he raised his eyes from the floor to see a middle aged woman standing in front of him. She looked exactly like her. The same blonde hair and blue eyes and of course the accent.
"Hello." he said straightening up. She raised an eyebrow quizzically at Sam. What was a young, good looking man doing standing at her doorway?
"Is there something you need?" she said folding her arms across her chest. Sam didn't really know how to answer that question. Oh, I flew all from California to speak to your daughter? Luckily he didn't have to answer.
"Sam?" there she was. Ainsley Hayes. He bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears that were welling in his eyes. He was quite emotional when it came to these things. What had he gotten himself into? "Mom, could you please leave us alone?" Her mother gave Sam a smile before hurrying back inside. Sam looked up at Ainsley, trying to find something, anything to say to her. You'd think, considering he was the former Deputy Communications Director to the President, that he would be be good with words and he was. He just wasn't good with pressure. "Sam are you going to say something or am I going to have to slap you?" Ainsley snapped crossing her arms. The look of shock on Sam's face caused her to laugh. "I was just joking, Sam but seriously you have to say something." He chuckled, glad that the ice had been broken.
"Hey, I guess?" he said shrugging. Ainsley rolled her eyes, leaning back against the door.
"Hey? You flew across the country to say hey? I do have phone you know?" She sighed running her hands through her long blonde hair.
"Well Ainsley, somethings are best said in person." he mumbled underneath his breath.
"Like hey?" she questioned placing her hands on her hips. "Sam, how did you find me here?"
"I went to your office and they told me that you were over here for your Dad's birthday."
"So you flew over here? You couldn't have waited until I got back?" she sighed throwing her her hands up in the air.
"No. I couldn't." He muttered under his breath. This situation hadn't gone at all like he'd hoped.
"So what is it? What did you have to tell me?"
"I'm not going to tell you now. It's not a good moment." Ainsley rolled her eyes. A tall man wearing a sharp black suit began to walk down the hallway. He came to stand by Ainsley.
"Ainsley darling, who's this?" He said looking at Ainsley, confused.
"Sam Seaborn." Sam said stepping forward to shake his hand. "I'm a friend of your daughter's."
"Nice to meet you Sam, I'm Richard." he looked between the two of them. He could tell that their was something going on between this man and his daughter. "Say Sam, would you like to come in? Join us for dinner?"
"Oh no, I wouldn't want to interrupt..."
"Nonsense!" Richard cut in. Ainsley exchanged looks with her father before turning back to Sam. She had no idea what he was up to.
"Yeah Sam, come on!" Ainsley smiled tensely at Sam. Sam nodded.
"Thanks." he said following them inside. He hadn't wanted to admit that he hadn't booked a hotel. As they walked down the hallway Ainsley pulled Sam back.
"No politics."~~~~~~~~
"Thank you for inviting me Mr Hayes." Sam shook the older gentleman's hand. They had finished dinner hours ago and Sam and Richard had been arguing friendly (despite Ainsley objections) about politics. It was nearing 11:30 and Sam still hadn't left.
"No problem, Sam it was a pleasure meeting you." Richard said patting Sam on the back. He had been thoroughly impressed by Sam. Although he was a democrat and they hadn't agreed on much politically, he was well-mannered and sophisticated. Sam bid goodbye to the rest of Ainsley's family and together he and Ainsley walked to the door. He stepped outside into the cool November air, rubbing his arms. Ainsley followed him outside, slamming the door behind her. Ainsley cleared her throat, causing Sam to spin around.
"Do you have something to say to me?" Ainsley looked down at Sam as he fiddled with his thumbs. What was his problem? He wasn't there. He was acting so strange. She couldn't understand why he was so nervous. "Look Sam..."
"No, Ainsley. Listen," Sam said looking up. Ainsley was shocked to see tears in his eyes. She knew he was sensitive especially compared to his best friends. "I have very strong feelings for you Ainsley." He said dropping his head. He's finally said it. We'll sort of.
"You-u.." Ainsley stuttered, blinking.
"Yeah." Sam said walking up a step to grab her hands.
"I have since I met you."
"When I kicked your ass on national television?"
"I prefer ass kicking to ass kissing." Ainsley smiled lowering her head, causing a piece of her hair to fall into her eyes.
"I wasn't expecting that Sam." Ainsley laughed shaking her head. "It was certainly a surprise."
"A good surprise? Or a bad surprise?"
"Definitely good." She bit her lip. "I have similar feelings." Sam smiled tightening his grip on her hands.
"So... is this the part where I kiss you?"
"No Sam. This is the part where I kiss you."
"Oh." Ainsley grabbed Sam's shirt pulling him in. She placed her lips on his. He smiled against, wrapping hi arms around her waist. They pulled apart grinning like idiots.
