Page 10 of Burned

Chapter Four

Sadie ran around her kitchen making sure everything was perfect for the meal she was cooking for Rhys. Everything had to be just right. They’d been seeing each other for the past two months and technically this was their sixth date, but she was as nervous as if this was the first time. She still couldn’t believe how well things were going between them or that she was dating such a hunk in the first place.

Not only was Rhys drop-dead gorgeous, taking her breath away whenever he gave her his lopsided smile but he was funny and a true gentleman. He held the door open for her, wouldn’t allow Sadie to get out of the car until he came around the passenger side to let her out. When it was chilly, he offered his jacket and when they were out together his attention was solely on her.

She’d never been with a man who didn’t look at other women. Sadie knew she wouldn’t win any upcoming beauty contests and those extra pounds still plagued her but the way Rhys acted one would have thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, wrapped up into one big ball of sex kitten. Sadie wasn’t totally unaware of some of the curious looks they received when they were out together.

On their last date, their waitress had openly flirted with him and when Rhys didn’t take the bait, keeping everything casual, she’d sent a what-the-hell-is-he-doing-with-you look Sadie’s way. It was the look Sadie knew well. She’d gotten it a lot with Terrell and she was getting it a lot with Rhys which also probably had a lot to do with him being white and she being black. It didn’t seem to bother him one iota and she vowed she wouldn’t let it bother her either.

Her sisters seemed thrilled that she’d managed to move on and had found someone who made her happy. Sadie was still cautious though. Everything was going too well. Rhys was perfect and that worried the hell out of her. There still seemed to be the cloud of his daughter hovering over them. She hoped to God the two of them got along if the relationship progressed to the point where the two of them would finally meet.

Sadie laid out her best china and placed candles in the center of the table. She ran back to the kitchen and pulled out the lasagna and placed it on the center of the stove. It looked just right with the cheese bubbled to a golden brown crisp and the sauce oozing from the layers. She hoped he liked it. Sadie didn’t make her Italian Sausage Lasagna for just anyone.

Once she was satisfied that dinner was to her liking and everything was set up for Rhys’s arrival in a half hour, she took a quick shower and put on some makeup with five minutes to spare. As she headed out to the living room to wait, the phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID she sighed when she saw who it was from and debated on whether to take the call. Realizing if she didn’t take the call now, she’d get no peace so she picked up.

“Hi, Mom.” Her mother hated being reminded she was the mother of four grown daughters ranging from twenty-eight to thirty-five hence no one dared call her mother. Sadie slipped sometimes and was reprimanded for it but her mind was elsewhere today.

“Don’t you ?hi, Mom’ me, girl. How come I haven’t heard from you in nearly a month? You move away and start going to school and think you’re too good to call your own Ma now? You’re letting your sisters rub off on you. And how many times have I told you not to call me Mom? I’m way too young to have a daughter your age. I was practically a baby when I had you.”

Sadie didn’t bother pointing out that her mother was in her early thirties when she’d been born but she didn’t want to start an argument, nor was she up for a marathon chat with her mother. “I’m sorry I haven’t called, Jackie, but I will. I’m actually in the middle of something right now, but I can give you a call tomorrow and we can catch up.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Jackie spoke. “Oh? And what exactly do you have to do that would keep you from talking to me?”

Sadie took a deep breath and silently counted to five before answering. “I was actually expecting company and he should be here shortly.”

“He? You’re seeing someone else now?”

“Yes. I’ve met a really nice man. I like him a lot but it’s still in the early stages; only time will tell how things go.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little soon for you to be dating again after Terrell? If I was embarrassed the way you were, I wouldn’t date for a very long time if ever. But I hope you at least found someone in your own league this time around.”

Her mother’s words were like a knife to her heart. Jackie Flowers was never shy in vocalizing how inadequate Sadie was in the looks department compared to her older sisters. She told herself, Mom didn’t mean anything by it but sometimes she had to wonder. “Do you mean you hope the guy isn’t a jerk like Terrell?”

“Well, baby, Terrell is a man and men will do what they do, especially one who looks like him. Men have a saying about finding an ugly woman and making her the wife because she’s not going anywhere and she’ll be loyal. I’m not saying you’re ugly or anythingbut let’s be realistic, Sadie, you won’t be appearing in People’s fifty most beautiful people like Rose did.”

Sadie’s chest tightened as she gripped the phone so hard she was sure it might snap in half. “I’m sure you have a point.”

“Well, like I was saying, you’re not ugly. And if you lost that baby fat, I think you could be quite attractive. In the meantime, I think you should find yourself a homely guy. You at least know he won’t cheat on you like Terrell did.”

“Really? Are you serious?”

“It’s just a thought, Sadie.”

“Hmm, I’ll keep it in mind just in case things don’t work out with Rhys.”

“Rhys?” Her mother snorted on the other end of the line. “What the hell kind of name is that?”

“It’s Welsh. He’s originally from Wales.”

“Didn’t realize there were any black people in Wales.”

“I’m sure there are, but Rhys is not. Jackie, do you think we can continue this conversation another time? He should be here shortly.”

“A white man? Girl, you must have lost your damn mind. If you thought you had your hands full with Terrell, what do you think will happen with a white man? Once he gets what he wants from you, he’ll leave you.”

Sadie’s patience was razor thin at this point and if she stayed on the phone any longer, she’d end up saying something she regretted. As strained as her relationship was with Jackie, she was still her mother. Family was important to Sadie and she didn’t want to say she hadn’t at least tried. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, Mother. And seeing as that you’re so concerned for me, I’m a little puzzled as to why you’d give my number to Terrell. Isn’t he the kind of man I should avoid?”

“He’s married. He can’t hurt you now. Besides, what’s the harm in calling him and finding out what he wants? Maybe he wants to rekindle your relationship, but this time around you can get what you want out of him. Maybe you’ll even consider moving back home where you belong.”

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