Chapter 78: A Little Too Close
The dim light of the motel room flickered against the beige walls, casting soft shadows across the space. Kate stood by the window, her eyes scanning the empty parking lot below, waiting for Samuel. Her mind had been racing all day—navigating through the labyrinth of her case, and now, dealing with the tension that had somehow crept into her relationship with Samuel.
She had opted for comfort tonight, dressed in a loose, oversized hoodie and a pair of worn jeans. Her hair pulled back into a messy bun, gave her a casual, unbothered look, though the tightness in her shoulders told another story.
The room was modest—a faded bedspread covering a queen-sized bed, a single chair by the desk with papers strewn across it. A TV sat on the dresser, but it had been long since she’d bothered to turn it on. The room had an uninviting air about it, but it was quiet. Peaceful. She needed that right now, even if it felt a little lonely.
The sudden sound of a car engine rumbled in the distance, followed by the headlights that swept over the room's curtains. Kate exhaled, straightening herself up as she moved to the door, and a soft knock followed.
She opened it to find Samuel standing in the doorway, a warm smile on his face. He held two cups of coffee in one hand, the steam rising from them in the chilly air.
“Hey,” he greeted, stepping inside without waiting for her to say anything.
“I brought your favorite.” He handed her a cup, and she took it with a smile, the warmth of the drink comforting her more than she realized.
“Thanks,” she murmured, wrapping her hands around the cup and inhaling the strong scent. She leaned against the doorframe, studying him. Samuel had shed his lab coat, now dressed in a simple black T-shirt and jeans—looking too good for a random visit to a motel.
“So…” he started, looking around the room like he was sizing it up. “Plumbing issues, huh?”
Kate took a slow sip of her coffee, keeping her eyes on him. “Yeah, the pipes burst. Had to get out of there while they fixed it.”
Samuel raised an eyebrow, his lips twisting into a skeptical smile. “That so?”
“Why?” Kate set her coffee down on the small table beside her and crossed her arms, leaning back against the wall. “You think I’m hiding something?”
Samuel’s eyes locked onto hers, a little too serious for a casual visit. “I don’t know. I just…” He paused, looking as though he was weighing his words carefully.
“You’re spending a lot of time with Jason. More than usual. It’s making me... jealous.”
Kate’s stomach flipped. She wasn’t expecting that. She could hear the faint edge in his voice, and it caught her off guard.
“Jealous?” she asked, half-laughing, though there was no humor in her voice. She walked closer to him, her brows raised. “Samuel, it’s just the case. You know that.”
She could tell that the words were getting under his skin, and for a moment, Kate considered pushing further—but not out of malice. It was a small amusement, something she could tease him about, knowing he wouldn’t take it too seriously. She leaned in a little, keeping her tone light, almost playful.
“Besides,” she added with a grin, “I kind of like that you care so much.” She let her eyes linger on his face, watching the flicker of frustration soften into something more tender.
Samuel hesitated for a moment before his expression shifted, just a little. His jaw tightened, but there was affection in the way he looked at her. “It’s just… you know how I feel about him,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t like how close you two are getting.”
Kate smiled, taking another slow sip of her coffee. She could hear the familiar protective undertones in his voice, and while she understood them, she also knew Samuel. He trusted her, even if his masculine instincts sometimes took over. She took a step closer, letting her hand brush against his arm.
“You don’t have to worry about Jason,” she said, her voice soft but teasing. “You know I’m not hiding anything from you.”
Samuel’s eyes softened, though there was still a hint of concern lingering there. “I know. I just... it’s hard when I’m not around.”
Kate let out a small, affectionate laugh. “I’m not exactly running off with him, Samuel. You can relax. But it’s sweet, really,” she added with a wink. “You’re jealous. It shows how much you love me.”
Samuel gave a short laugh, though it sounded more like a resigned sigh. “Yeah, I suppose it does.” He looked down at her, his gaze softening even more, the tension easing between them. “I just… I hate it when I feel like I’m losing time with you. I don’t like it.”
Kate smiled, reaching up to cup his face with her hand. “I get it. You’re just lucky I like when you’re a little possessive. It makes me feel special.”
He sighed in response, pulling her close for a brief, but warm kiss on her forehead.
“I’ve got something to tell you,” he said, shifting away slightly to meet her eyes again. “Good news, actually.”
Kate raised an eyebrow. “Good news?”
Samuel smiled, the slight tension fading from his face as he pulled out a small envelope from his jacket pocket. “I’ve been selected for a specialist training program. It’s an overseas thing. Some kind of advanced surgical training in Germany. Only a few people were chosen, and I’m one of them.”
Kate’s eyes widened, a delighted smile pulling at her lips. “Germany? That’s amazing! Congratulations, Samuel! You deserve it.”
He chuckled, but there was a slight hesitation in his eyes. “Yeah, but there’s a catch.”
Kate tilted her head, sensing the shift in his mood. “A catch?”