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“I’ve always thought your sister was amazing.”
She playfully rolled her eyes and walked out of my bedroom, and I wondered how my luck had turned around.
Chapter Nineteen
Sadie
It wasn’t like I sprinkled magic fairy dust over my body and I suddenly wasn’t scared any longer, but I woke up this morning knowing I couldn’t keep living in fear.
Fear was what made me break up with Zack. Heartbreak.
Fear was what kept me quiet from telling anyone about Tim’s first message. Embarrassment.
Fear of losing the man of my dreams. Isolation.
Fear of never being who I was meant to be. Disgust.
But I was ready to tackle what life had in store for me. No more looking over my shoulder. No more hiding and being afraid of an old boyfriend who'd suddenly surfaced.
These things were manageable, not life-ending.
And Tim was nowhere on this side of the country.
I could at least enjoy these moments of peace and not push away the one stable force in my life.
I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit I was still scared spitless. I was still worried that I’d open the door to see Tim staring back at me, but I didn’t want to live in fear.
As Zack had said, my kidnapping was part of me. I couldn’t expect to never think about it again or be triggered. Those things will happen, but it’s how I navigate that trauma and frame it in my life that will make a difference, and that now includes Tim.
I flipped down the visor in Zack’s Jeep and dotted on some lip gloss as I sat in front of Granite Beans.
Zack and his brother had been out in the woods discussing their future plans while Elena and Jaxson packed. It seemed like the perfect time to meet up with Melanie. She’d finally texted me, and I told her I’d love to meet her for lunch at Granite Beans.
The chill in the mountain air wrapped around me as I zipped my pink coat and made my way into the familiar coffee shop.
Melanie waved from behind the counter and quickly made her way over to me. She gave me a big squeeze, and I finally felt like maybe things were okay between us. Everything had been so screwed up in recent weeks that I didn’t know if I was misreading things or if she was actually taking a few steps back.
“Have you heard anything else about the break-in?” I asked, hoping I didn’t just set us backward.
She shook her head. “No, but the insurance company is waiting for some paperwork from the police, and I think that’s it. I mean, I hope they figure out who it is, but at least I won’t be out of pocket.”
“Yeah, that whole thing wasn’t what I expected to walk into that morning.”
She nodded and gave me another squeeze, and I realized I hadn’t even flinched either time.
Progress.
“I made your favorite sandwich. Basil and mozzarella,” she said, walking to the small fridge behind the counter. “And I made turkey for me.”
“Ah, I’m so spoiled.” I touched my chest and batted my lashes as Melanie walked over with two plates piled high with a sandwich and chips on the side.
She set them down on the table and took a seat across from me.
“So, you’re allowed out of the house now?” she teased.
“Something like that. Carmella is back in jail, and my ex-boyfriend isn’t out here for the time being.”
“Everything that’s happened to you is absolutely… wild.” Melanie picked up her sandwich and took a bite. “It’s just… how much bad luck can one girl handle?”
