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Sadie smiled at me. “It was good. Lots of delicious food, some dumb bridal games. But um, you should know I sat with Makayla and Lauren, and we had a little Denver reunion.”
“You did not.”
“Did, too. Lauren is about to have her first kid. A boy. She and her husband Clay are still deciding on names.”
“Well, good for them. I’m glad she’s happy. I was always sort of a fill-in boyfriend while she pined for him.”
Sadie gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to feel sorry for me. Just ask Julian. He thinks I purposely distance myself so my relationships can die a natural death. Or maybe I just pick distant women. I guess if I had a type, it would be pursuing women who are secretly in love with someone else.”
“Well, I might fit in that distant category, but I’m definitely not in love with someone else.” Sadie took a plate from my hands, looking pensive.
“You’re not distant. You’re careful. You’re wonderful.” I glanced around and then snuck a kiss. “You’re worth waiting for.”
Sadie gave my apron a tug. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I willfully misunderstood you, Mr. Darcy. I think you’re actually quite nice.”
Chapter 41 – Sadie
Gina had not exaggerated on the taste-testing thing. Her kitchen smelled like fall on steroids. Denver was going to kill me when he found out he missed eating pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin pie, but he was helping his dad replace their busted water heater, and I’d bring him delicious leftovers.
My contribution of a salad was probably not necessary, but I wasn’t about to show up empty-handed again, even if it was just the three of us. This felt like another one of those opportunity moments, and I didn’t want to mess it up this time.
We ate our mashed potatoes and roast at the counter so Dad and Gina could keep an eye on all the baked goods coming out of the oven.
“What the heck is a pumpkin bake-off?” I asked.
“It’s something my book club came up with.” Gina gave Dad a guilty smile. “I roped your dad into helping me. All the winner gets is bragging rights and first pick on our next book selection, but we’re going to have a bake sale right after to raise money for The Boys and Girls Club.”
“Well, that’s awesome.” I eyed the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies cooling on the stovetop. “When is the big day?”
“November fifteenth. It will be on the lawn at the back of the library. You should come.”
“Okay, I will.” I didn’t miss the looks they threw each other as I pulled out my phone and added it to my calendar. It was quiet for a minute, and I picked at a piece of roast left on my plate. “I know I haven’t been around a lot, but I’d like to change that.”
“We know you’re busy with your job,” Dad said quietly.
“Even so.” I picked up my empty plate and took Gina’s on my way to the sink. “So, um. I sort of lied when I told you Denver and I weren’t serious.” I glanced behind me to see their confused faces.
“How serious?” Dad asked, his forehead wrinkling in concern. He had watched me create protective layers around my heart in high school, and he obviously didn’t want to see me hurt again.
“I just mean I’m not dating him for the fun of it. I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I really like him. A lot. I don’t even know why I want you to know that. I just don’t like lying, and when I said we weren’t serious, that didn’t feel true.” I sat back down, feeling as awkward as the words that had just come out of my mouth.
“Well, I’m happy for you.” Gina reached across the table and lightly patted my hand.
“You could have brought him tonight,” my dad said, still looking concerned.
“I know. It’s just new. Plus, he’s helping his dad change out a water heater tonight. Maybe another time.”
We cleared the rest of the table and then played Boggle while we ate dessert. So. Much. Dessert. I’m not sure Dad could have married someone who wasn’t a Boggle fanatic. He loved the game, and I knew they played it nightly. I lost by forty points, but in my defense, my mind was caught up in other things.
While Dad did the dishes, Gina moved her chair over and studied me. “Can I tell you something that helped me when I realized I really liked your dad? I had two kids, and I was terrified. Not that you’re in the same boat by any means. I shouldn’t assume. And it’s okay if you want to tell me to shut up.”
“I’d actually love some advice.” I rubbed my forehead where the stress of talking about my feelings had decided to retire for the night.
“Sometimes it’s hard to accept happiness when we’re not used to having it.” Gina folded over a corner of her score sheet. “Your dad told me a little bit about what high school was like for you.”
“Awesome.” But I couldn’t be mad about that. It was just something married couples did. They told each other things. “Actually, I’m glad you know. I’m all done with show and tell for tonight.”
