The Last Detail by Melissa Schroeder Page B

you would be better off without me.”
    “You want to run scared again, be my guest. This time though, I at least have Lou.” With that, Jared slammed out of the room.
    Sam was irritated with the situation, with both of them, but mostly with himself. It was better off this way. Not having them around, not dealing with any of the emotions that pulled you down.
    But unlike the times before, the thought of being alone didn’t comfort him. It didn’t matter. He’d said exactly what he believed. Both of them would be better off without him.
     
    Lou blinked back the rush of tears as she readied her gear. Damn man. They were all the same, and Sam was the worst. She didn’t know what she was thinking getting involved with him or Jared. It was useless. She was sick and tired of people walking away from her. Well, fuck them. She would do the walking away.
    “Lou,” Jared’s calm voice sent a rush of need through her. She pushed that away and grabbed hold of her irritation.
    “What the fuck do you want?”
    He said nothing. Instead, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him. She stiffened for a second, but then relaxed against him. She couldn’t hold back from him, couldn’t keep herself from accepting the comfort he offered her.
    “He’s being an ass.”
    She nodded and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
    “He’ll come around.”
    She didn’t say anything because she knew better. Sam had made his decision. That was the way both of them were. Jared was different. He could see the big picture. He could look ahead and see that starlight at the end of the universe and tell her it was all going to be better.
    When she didn’t respond, he sighed and turned her to face him. He cupped her face in his big capable hands.
    “Look at me, Lou.” She didn’t respond. “Louella.”
    She frowned up at him and he chuckled. “Even if he isn’t here, I am.”
    Her heart expanded at the thought. “Even if he never shows back up?”
    He shook his head and brushed his mouth over hers. “I don’t just love him, Lou. I love you too. I wasn’t lying. I’ve loved you for years. I want both of you, but I am more than satisfied to have you with me.”
    She sighed. “I thought that maybe with Sam being an ass, you’d rather not have me around.”
    He rested his forehead against hers. “No. In fact, I was panicking a bit when I realized you were going to have enough credits to get back to Earth.”
    She smiled and then all of the sudden it hit her. She felt her smile dissolve. “You said you knew who Sam was. It was more about finding your old lover.”
    From his expression, she knew he hadn’t missed that one.
    “Dammit.” She fought free of his hold and stomped away. “I can’t believe I was stupid enough to think that it was partially about me.”
    He hurried after her. “No, wait.” He grabbed her, spun her around and barely missed getting hit with her fist.
    “Dammit to Hades, Lou. I didn’t know at first. I didn’t have a hologram. I told you that before. Do we have to keep going over this?”
    She pulled away from him, took a step back and crossed her arms beneath her breasts.
    “I just had the name. Then when I found out it was him, I came looking for you two. Mostly for you. I knew that if Sam was involved it was going to be bad. I wanted to protect you.”
    She studied his expression, and the earnest light in his eyes made her realize that he was telling the truth.
    “Okay.” She sighed. “Back to work, I guess.”
    He pulled her against him. “Yeah. Don’t worry. Sam will pull his head out of his ass.”
    “And if he doesn’t?”
    She felt his lips brush against her temple. “We’ll go out and get him.”
    That absolutely certainty made her feel better.

Chapter Ten
    Three months later .
    Sam’s head was pounding. It had been for the last week. Most of what he remembered was drinking too much liquor and most of it in his hotel room by himself. He had come to Gardium