THREE’S COMPANY PART ONE: TOO GOOD TO BE LUST

Samuel was everything Tonya wanted.

Or at least everything she thought she wanted.

He was attentive, consistent, romantic.. And whew, put some respect on that R.

The kind of man who remembered the little things.

If Tonya mentioned she liked a certain restaurant, Samuel remembered. If she had a rough day, somehow flowers would show up. Weekend trips didn't need a special occasion. Sometimes he would simply tell her to pack a bag and be ready by seven.

“Where are we going?” Tonya would ask.

“Why you always gotta know everything?” Samuel replied.

“Because I need to know what to pack!” she said.

Samuel would laugh.

“Just look good. I got the rest.”

And somehow, he always did.

After everything Tonya had experienced in relationships, Samuel felt different.

They spent hours talking about their pasts. Failed relationships, betrayal, things they tolerated for too long because they thought love required suffering.

Samuel had been hurt.

So had Tonya.

Maybe that's what connected them.

Two people who knew what it felt like to give the wrong person everything.

One night, Samuel reached across the dinner table and took her hand.

“I don't want to be another lesson for you,” he told her.

Tonya looked at him.

“Then don't be,” she replied.

“I'm serious.”

“So am I.” he said..

Samuel rubbed his thumb across her fingers.

“I want you to be my girl, Tonya. For real. I want to show you something different.”

She wanted to believe him.

Actually...

She did.

Maybe too quickly.

But when something feels that good, you don't always stop to question it.

You enjoy it…

And Tonya enjoyed Samuel.

Every bit of him.

Their intimacy only made things more intense.

There was passion between them that Tonya couldn't explain. An open mind had taken their relationship places she hadn't expected to go.

The chemistry?

Unmatched.

At least that's what she thought.

Because Samuel knew exactly how to make her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

Until one night...

Bzzzz.

Samuel's phone vibrated against the nightstand.

Tonya opened her eyes.

Samuel didn't move.

Bzzzz.

Again.

She turned her head toward the phone.

The screen lit up.

UNKNOWN CALLER

Tonya looked over at Samuel.

“You gonna get that?” she asked.

Samuel barely opened his eyes.

“Nah,” he replied.

The phone stopped.

Tonya laid her head back down.

A few seconds passed.

Bzzzz.

She looked at the phone again.

Same thing.

UNKNOWN CALLER

“Somebody is really trying to get in touch with you,” Tonya said.

Samuel reached over, grabbed the phone and hit the side button.

Silence.

Tonya watched him place it facedown.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“My cousin,” Samuel replied.

Tonya frowned.

“Your cousin calls you unknown?”

Samuel chuckled.

“It's a long story.”

“What kind of long story?” she questioned.

“Baby...” Samuel said, pulling her closer. “Go back to sleep.”

Tonya stared at him for a moment.

Something about his answer didn't sit right.

But Samuel kissed her forehead, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest.

She allowed herself to relax.

Maybe… she was overthinking.

Maybe… his cousin really did have a reason for calling from an unknown number.

Maybe...

Bzzzz.

Tonya's eyes opened again.

Samuel reached for the phone before she could look at it.

This time, he didn't just silence the call.

He put the entire phone on silent mode.

Tonya said nothing.

But she wasn't sleepy anymore.

And for the first time since meeting Samuel...

she wondered who else might know the man lying beside her.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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