Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) by Lillianna Blake Page B

You helped me with the dress for Alistair’s show?”
    “Oh yes, of course. I remember you, Samantha. I heard the show turned out great.”
    “Ah yes, the evening show did.” I laughed a little. “Anyway, I wondered if you might be interested in helping me out with something.”
    “What is it?”
    “Well, I’d like to do something a little different at my next book signing, which happens to be this afternoon. If it’s too short notice, I understand. I’d like for you to bring some of your designs and let some of my fans put on a bit of a fashion show. What do you think?”
    “That is very short notice. But it would be great publicity for me. What kind of models will you be using?”  
    “No certain kind. Just an assortment of shapes and sizes. I’d like to see if Sue would be willing to participate.”
    “I can give her a call for you. I don’t know if she’ll go for it, though.”  
    “I hope she will. See what you can do.”  
    “Absolutely. I think it’s a great idea, Samantha. I’ll call you back after I talk to Sue.”  
    “Thanks, Daniella.” I smiled and hung up the phone.
    I flipped Max’s omelette onto a plate and started to pick the plate up.  
    “Is that for me?” Max’s voice drifted along right beside my ear. He’d crept up behind me while I was on the phone.
    I jumped with surprise and the omelette went flying up into the air.  
    “Max!”  
    “I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” He grabbed the plate from me and ducked under the omelette. It landed with a splat on the plate. “See?” He lifted it up and grinned.  
    “You’re lucky.” I laughed. “Don’t sneak up on people!”  
    “I don’t sneak up on people—just you.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Thank you for this. The smell woke me up. It’s been awhile since I’ve had one.”  
    “Enjoy it, Max. I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I’ll get you some juice to go with it.”  
    “I know, Sammy.” He leaned in for a quick kiss before he released me.
    As he settled at the table, I grabbed one of the blueberry muffins that were leftover. My cell phone rang before I could even sit down.  
    “Hi, Daniella, did you reach Sue?”  
    “Yes, I did, and she said she’s willing to participate. I’ll bring a wide range of sizes. I’m pretty excited!”  
    “Me too!” I smiled as I hung up the phone.  
    “What is it?” Max looked over at me. “I haven’t seen that glow in your eyes in some time.”  
    “I might have something up my sleeve.” I grinned.  
    “Are you going to share?” He quirked an eyebrow.  
    “Only with you.” I sat down across from him and shared my plan as we ate. By the time we’d finished, Max knew the whole plan. “So what do you think? Is it a mistake?”
    “Absolutely not. It’s you.” He stroked my cheek. “And it’s going to be great.”
    I leaned across the table and kissed him. “Good, because you’re going to help me make a runway!”  
    “Sounds like fun. Exactly what we need. I’m so glad we had that time yesterday, Sammy. You know I support your career. I just want to make sure we don’t lose sight of our relationship either.”
    “You support more than my career, Max. You support me. I’m glad that you noticed what I went blind to. Not only did it allow us to reconnect, but it allowed me to reconnect with my creativity too.” I looked into his eyes. “I know just how lucky I am to have you. You keep me focused.”
    “I’m lucky to have you too. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but here we are. I couldn’t think of another place I’d rather be.”
    “How about Amsterdam?” I grinned. “We leave tomorrow for the next leg of the tour.”
    “Wow! That’s fast.”
    “Only if we let it be. We can take our time and not rush, then it won’t seem so chaotic.”  
    “Good plan.” He leaned across the table and kissed me again. “Thanks for the omelette. I’ll get changed and we can get to work on that runway.”
    I watched