Yup, now he heard it loud and clear. Music, and it didn’t come from any radio, either. If he was a peacock his feathers would be in full display. “Thing is, if you date me, then we’re exclusive.” He was staking his claim right up front, here and now. “No one else but me.”

She hesitated. “So you’re willing to admit we’re dating.”

“Yeah, we’re dating. Exclusively.”

Again she paused, giving his heart palpitations. “Is there someone else, Beth?” he asked. She’d mentioned three or four other men she’d been seeing, but there didn’t seem to be one in particular.

“There’s never been anyone but you, Sam.”

He relaxed, the tension leaving him. “Then we’re good.”

“We’re good. Now, where are you going to take me?”

Sam grinned. “Anyplace you want, babe. Anyplace at all.”

They set the time and place for Friday night and Sam hung up the phone feeling better than he had in three miserable, sleepless weeks. He’d dodged a bullet and prevented a self-inflicted wound.

Thursday night it was Sam’s turn to host the poker game. The timing worked out well, as Beth was busy Thursday nights at her church’s choir practice, where she played the piano. She’d had the one date with Doug, and from what she’d told Sam it would only be the one date. He was a good guy, but they had little in common and simply hadn’t clicked.

His poker-playing friends were all married, and their wives generally sent along appetizers and other goodies for snacks. Not being married himself, Sam brought a couple bags of potato chips and called it good. The host supplied the beer, and he’d stacked his refrigerator with a case of their favorite brew, which was sure to last the night. None of his friends were big drinkers, and Sam wasn’t one himself. At most he’d enjoy a beer or two.

Thursday-night poker had been going on for about six or seven years now and it was a great way to break up the work week. Two of the guys were men he worked with at the garage. Alex and Charley had taken to teasing Sam about the new woman in his life. Sam accepted their good-natured razzing. The only one who knew he hadn’t gone out with Beth in the last few weeks was Rocco. Thankfully, Rocco had kept his trap closed.

It took Sam longer than it should have to realize all that he’d found in Beth. She was a special woman. He was impressed by her thoughtfulness and how big her heart was. Beth wanted to make everything right for others. He didn’t agree with her interfering in her aunt’s life, but he kept his opinions to himself. He couldn’t find it in himself to fault her for wanting her aunt to be happy. She hadn’t mentioned that she followed through with her plans, but it wasn’t like they’d been talking regularly.

Since their talk and date, things had been going well with him and Beth. Better than ever, really. He felt they’d both grown in the time apart and come to appreciate each other on a deeper level.

Thinking how well things were going with Beth, Sam cleared off the kitchen table and wiped it down to be sure there was nothing sticky that would mess with the cards. The beer was cooling in the refrigerator, and he had the potato chips in bowls on the kitchen countertop. He reached for one and munched on it and regretted not picking up a couple of those containers of dip.

His doorbell chimed and he glanced at his watch. One of the guys was early. He started toward the front door when it opened and Beth stuck her head inside.

“Hey,” he said, surprised to see her and equally pleased.

“Hey,” she said, coming into the house. She held a platter in her hand.

“What’s that?” he asked, because whatever it was smelled divine.

Peeling back the tinfoil, Beth revealed a plate of chocolate-chip cookies. “I thought I’d contribute something to your game tonight,” she said, and, leaning forward, she gave him what he was convinced was intended to be a brief kiss. It didn’t turn out that way, hungry as he was for a taste of her.

“I love cookies,” Sam said when he broke the kiss off. He reached for one, took a bite, and closed his eyes to savor the rich flavors. “These are homemade?”

“Of course. You think I’d bring you store-bought cookies?”

Sam took the plate out of her hand and set it aside. He then reached for her and brought her into his arms and kissed her again with the same urgency he’d felt a few minutes earlier. She opened to him the way she always did, slipping her arms around his neck and standing on the tips of her toes. It was hard not to get caught up in their kisses. Unfortunately, his poker-playing buddies were due anytime.

When he found the will to drag his mouth from hers, he released her.

“You should have said something earlier,” Beth chastised him.

“Said what earlier?” he asked.

“Nichole told me the women supply snacks for the guys on Thursdays.”

“They do,” he said.

“Am I not your woman?”

Sam couldn’t have held back a smile for a million bucks. “Yup. Definitely.”

“Then you should have told me.”

Sam slipped his arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck as he led the way into the kitchen. He set the tray of cookies next to the bowl of chips. “On Saturday, would you like to—”

“I can’t,” she said, not allowing him to finish.

Sam cocked one brow. “You aren’t going to tell me you’ve got another date, are you?” he teased. He wanted to remind her that they were exclusive now. He wasn’t comfortable with her seeing anyone but him. He thought he’d made that clear.

“No, but I do have plans.”

“All day?”

“All afternoon,” she corrected, reminding him about her piano students. “I’m volunteering with Habitat, helping Jazmine build her house.” She hesitated and then blinked up at him several times, flirting with him. “You could help, you know, make up for all that time we were apart.”

“I could, could I?” His Saturdays were precious and he reserved them for working on his cars.

“It’s completely voluntary, but everyone says how good you are with fixing things, and I’m sure you’d be an asset to the team. And Jazmine would be so appreciative.”

“Just Jazmine?”

“Like I said, it’s completely up to you.”

“If I don’t agree, will you ask Tyler?”

A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. “I might.”

“Like bloody hell you will.” She had him and she knew it.

“Does that mean you’re willing to volunteer?”

Sam had a dozen projects of his own that needed attention. He knew Beth was teasing him when it came to Tyler. He’d never worked with Habitat for Humanity but had heard good things about the organization. “Count me in.”

Beth threw her arms around his waist and hugged him close. “You’re the best.”

“Don’t know that I could refuse you much, and you know it.”

“I do, and that makes you all the dearer to me.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, but he wasn’t upset. “Got any other volunteer projects you’re conveniently hiding from me?”

She smiled ever so sweetly at him. “A few.”

He rolled his eyes. “You free next Saturday? I’d like—”

“Can’t.”

“Now what?” The woman was making it difficult.

“I’m helping Shawntelle.”

Rocco’s bookkeeper was one of Nichole’s best friends. “She building a house, too?” he asked.

“No. She volunteers at the same place Nichole does, only she’s had to cut back because of the baby. Rocco met Nichole for the first time at Dress for Success, remember?”

Sam knew the story well. Nichole had backed her car into a ditch and Rocco drove the tow truck that pulled her out.

“What are you going to be doing there?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure, but Shawntelle will let me know. I’m filling in for her cousin, who can’t make it next week.”

Sam wrapped his arms around her and held her close, his heart swelling with an emotion so strong it tightened his chest. Jazmine wasn’t the only one building a new life for herself.