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I snorted. She had no idea how much I wanted to just leave. I wanted to go home and crawl into my bed or the couch and just sleep. I wanted her there with me, but that was something I didn’t want to think about too closely. From high above on the balcony, I saw Alex holding his camera. I knew he had caught the exchange with my father and Sadie, and I wondered how much more he would need to actually make good television. He moved down the stairs and I caught a glimpse of Laurel in her wedding gown outside, the gauzy white train trailing behind her over the grass. She caught sight of me and made a face, to which I maturely did the same, sticking my tongue out at her.
“Thanks for stealing my date,” said a familiar voice from behind us. I grinned, spinning around as he continued. “I had to come to this thing stag. It’s a damn tragedy.”
“You’re Jack, right?” Sadie asked, grinning as Jack Everly clapped me on the back. He was wearing a flannel shirt and dark jeans, and his happy grin was contagious.
He bowed at Sadie dramatically and answered, “My lady, it’s an honor to meet you once more.” Jack grinned at her and then stood back up. He put an arm around each of our shoulders, tucking Sadie under his grasp casually as if he had known her for years. “C’mon, lovebirds, I saved you guys a spot outside.”
“Outside?” I asked in confusion. I had thought the wedding was going to be inside the barn. I realized quickly that we had been standing in the reception hall.
“Wow,” Sadie breathed as we stepped out of the creaking, tall back doors. I watched her eyes as she took in the view.
Jack nodded in agreement, letting us go. On the other side of the barn, the rolling hills opened into sprawling gardens lit by soft lantern light. Glossy ivy crawled over crumbling stone walls and night-blooming flowers perfumed the winter air. Tall, willowy trees shook their draped branches into the wind, shifting softly in the cold breeze. A long garland of frothy white flowers was twined and twisted over a little arch that waited in front of the willow tree. There, Laurel’s almost-husband Mark, who I didn’t hate, waited for his future wife to make her way to him. Sadie was quiet, taking in the beauty. Above us, the stars were bright and lovely. For a moment—just one small moment of weakness—I imagined Sadie walking down the aisle to me, beautiful and ethereal in flowing white lit up golden by the lantern’s lights. She squeezed my hand, and I was broken from my ridiculous daydream. Soft music began and I was glad to see Alex was off to the side, far enough away that we wouldn’t have to explain his presence.
“She’s beautiful,” Sadie breathed as we stood and watched Laurel walk down the aisle.
“She’s not hideous, I guess,” I agreed, shrugging as Laurel met Mark at the arch, holding his hands as the preacher spoke.
Sadie let out a laugh and then covered her mouth. “You’re terrible.”
“And yet you still like me,” I said without really thinking about what I was saying, and Sadie fidgeted where she stood, looking unsure. I cursed myself and tried to take it back, but Sadie squeezed my fingers gently.
“I don’t not like you,” she whispered, smiling, and for some reason, her soft voice made my heart stutter in my chest.
After they were pronounced husband and wife, the crowd cheered, and I watched Jack walk into the reception area with a tall blonde. I snorted. He was never short on dates. The rest of the crowd slowly made their way into the barn and Sadie stopped me as I followed. I looked down at her and there was a hint of mischief to her face.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, looking like she was ready to run. “Let’s go while everyone is distracted.”
“Are you serious?” I asked her, a slow smile spreading over my face. My father was watching us, and I tried to keep my features neutral.
“Completely serious,” she laughed, tugging on my hand. “We came and we were here, Alex got his shots. Let’s go. Maureen’s is open late and I’m starving.”
I stared at her, watching the light play over her face and finally I laughed, feeling careless joy bubble up inside of me. “Let's go then.”
Sadie tugged on my hand again and we ran across the green yard, laughing and hiding like children from the other guests that meandered around the grounds. Sadie was shivering by the time we reached the car. We jumped inside, cold and full of unexplained excitement. Nora grumbled that she would have to stop watching her movie early. It felt like when you were a child and you felt that first rush of freedom from your parents, that new sense of independence and boundless joy. Sadie was like a balm to my father’s rough touch and my family’s broken bond. She seemed to make it better without really even trying.
