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“Aww, thank you, Freddy. Hope it tastes just as fantastic.” Mom takes her seat as Dad brings in a beer for him and Freddy.
“So…Sadie?” Freddy begins. “How’s it like being twenty-five in Hillpike?”
I shrug. Little did he know we were talking about this before he got here. I’m sure my folks are over it.
“Okay, I guess. And you’re younger than my dad by ten years?”
I double-check because I have to double-check.
“Nine. I’m forty-one.”
Ugh, I wish he was thirty-one. His spirit is very youthful. He has a sleeve of tattoos on his right arm, while the left one is halfway done. I have the pleasure of receiving goosebumps when I notice the visibility of his hands’ veins when he lifts his fork and knife to cut his chicken breast.
Geesh. I can smell his manly city scent every so often. I want to bury my face in his aroma and am not ashamed. If anything, this turns me on more. God, I need a ticket out of this town. I need to find a man like Freddy somewhere. I know there’s not one around here.
“Are you working at the moment?” he asks.
I love how interested he is in me at the moment.
“Yes. I’m at Peggy’s coffee shop, but I have an interview at “Nightingale’s” next week. I want to earn enough to make my way to your city, actually.” I blush.
His eyes light up as he grabs a napkin to wipe away a growing smile.
“I don’t think Chicago’s safe for Sadie.” Dad is such a buzzkill.
Freddy shrugs, “She has spirit. She’s got your tenacity, Braxton. I can tell there’s a fire in her.”
He’s right about that, and there’s plenty for him, too, even if only in my dreams.
“What does that mean?” Savannah asks.
“What does what mean?” I wonder, totally lost in Freddy’s eyes.
“Tenacity?”
“Oh, determination,” I answer, my eyes still locked on Freddy.
His intent stare releases into a relaxed sly smile before he slides a mouthful of food into his mouth. He chews it slowly.
“Do you have any future plans to visit Chicago?” Freddy asks after his forkful.
But now my mouth is full, so he just stares at me, his eyes ablaze, until I’m free to speak.
“Well, I’m thinking maybe by October or before Thanksgiving at least. I’ll probably go with a couple of friends.”
“Yes, Emily and Linda.” Savannah mocks playfully. I ignore her.
“Most women Sadie’s age are married around here.” Dad always likes to bring this up. As if I’m somehow not good enough because I don’t have a boyfriend. My last relationship was over two years ago, and that guy’s now married and in charge of our post office. Whatever.
“Seems like Sadie’s more of an explorer.” Freddy rightfully speaks for me.
I take a bite of my broccoli. Already he knows me so well I laugh inside. Truth is, he has no idea how much I want to explore because right now, at this moment, I’d love to explore him.
Chapter 2
Freddy
SittingoutinBraxton’sbackyard with a roaring bonfire, bug spray on, and the small-town joy of seeing real stars in the sky is genuinely delightful.
