I glance at Dallas, who’s sitting there innocently—or at least as innocently as someone as extremelyrock-hard and well-hungas he is can be,and I can feel every freaking inch of it, pressing against me.
“His name is Dallas Wilder.” While I don’t really follow social media and whatnot, Sadie very much does.
“DallasWilder?TheDallas Wilder? Thebillionaire? Apollo Wilder’sbrother?”
“Um … yes.”
“Holy shit!” exclaims Sadie. “Well, hell, girlfriend, in that case, I don’t want to hold you up from doing whatever it is you’re about to do. But let me remind you, Dallas Wilder or no Dallas Wilder, weareleaving on Monday morning. You said you’re in. Are you packed? Have you told your boss?”
“Um …”
“Amelie. I can’tbelieveyou. You said you’re coming to New York with me!”
“I don’t know if I actually confirmed?—”
“Youdid. Comeon.At leasttryit for a couple of weeks, Ami. There’s nothing left for you at the hotel. I’ve got enough money to get us there, a shitty car I can sell upon our arrival and a free place for us to stay. Plus, my sister’s never home and I don’t want to do this alone. She’s got a double pull-out couch and she said we can help ourselves for one month and then she might have to start charging us rent after that. She said it’s fine if you come too.”
“But—”
“The only thing the hotel is doing for you now is holding you back, dragging you under and stopping you from living your best life. It’s time to let it go and you know it.”
I look out the window. We’re moving slowly through the Quarter and I know every building we pass, every alley, every particular way the afternoon light falls across the ironwork balconies at this hour. I know this city the way I know the back of my own hand.
I also know she’s right.
I’ve been saying no to Sadie’s New York plan the way I say no to most things—quickly, reflexively, with the efficiency of someone who’s learned that wanting things you can’t have is an indulgence you can’t afford. No to New York, no to leaving, no to any future that requires me to step off the particular patch of ground I was born into because it was my home, my family and my legacy all wrapped up in one decaying lost cause.
But I’m sitting in a limo on the (hard, ridged, about-to-do-things-to-me-I-can’t-control) lap of my dream man in a to-die-for dress while high on good food and expensive champagne. Something about the day—and the kiss—has moved something in me that I thought was fixed.
For the first time in double digits of previous asks, the no doesn’t come right away. “Okay. Maybe.”
Silence. Then, “Did you just say what I think you said?”
“I said let me think about it, Sadie. Don’t make it weird.”
“You have never said let me think about it in your entire life. You are an immediate no. You are a legendary no. This isbreakthrough, Amelie. We’re going to havesomuch fun. Be ready for the road trip of your life by ten o’clock sharp on Monday morning. My old Toyota thoroughly enjoyed her lube job and now she’s ready to roll. I’m going to hang up now before you change your mind. Monday morning. Text me. Love you. Say hi to freakingDallas Wilderfor me.”
“You can say hi yourself. He’s right here. And your voice is pretty loud, just saying.”
“Oh.” Suddenly almost shyly, which is definitely a first for Sadie Fabienne Bellamy. “Hi, Dallas.”
“Hi, Sadie.”
“I’m really happy you’re dating my bestie and all,” Sadie says. “You seem like a nice enough guy from, you know, your family and pedigree and whatever. But you better treat her right. Or I’ll be forced to hunt you down and kick your billionaire ass.”
“Jesus,Sadie,” I murmur. It’s the New Orleans in her, which she’s incapable of filtering.
Dallas laughs. “You have my word.”
“Thank you,” Sadie replies.
“I might have a more comfortable ride for the two of you to New York on Monday,” Dallas says casually.
I glare at him.What?
“What ride?” Sadie asks.
“I’m headed that way anyway at some point. I could give you and Amelie a lift to New York in my jet. If you were interested.”
