Page 5 of Burned

“You have to say that because we’re sisters.”

“I never say anything I don’t mean. And I’ll give it to you that Terrell is a good looking man, but I pegged him for being a tool from the very beginning. I just wish it hadn’t taken so long for you to figure that out or find out the way you did.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“You seemed so happy, I didn’t have the heart. Besides, I’m not sure if you would have listened. You didn’t listen when I told you about Jordan so I figured you’d eventually see through Terrell’s bullshit. He had you wrapped around his finger so tightly, I was scared if I did say something it would cause a rift between us. Daisy and Rose felt the same way.”

How crushing it was to find out that everyone had seen through Terrell’s smile and bedroom eyes while she’d had her head in the clouds. “I must have looked pretty stupid.”

“No one knew he was still sleeping with his child’s mother but he talked down to you and you seemed to jump whenever he called your name. I wanted to throw up whenever I saw you two together.”

“I didn’t realize how much I’d sacrificed for him until it was over. But you know how I am. I’m very cautious with my heart and when I give it, I love so hard and deep. Terrell said all the right things, did all the right things. There was a sweet side of him he hid when everyone else was around. That’s what I fell in love with.”

“And he took advantage of your kindness and loyalty because he’s an asshole, not because he’s a good-looking guy. Don’t judge all men based on what one idiot did to you. Well, two if you count Jordan but I don’t count that overgrown mama’s boy as a man.”

Sadie’s response was stalled by the appearance of their server bringing their starters. Once their orders were placed, she briefly contemplated what her sister had said. Even though Jordan had hurt herwhat she’d felt for Terrell was much deeper. It wasn’t that she was basing her entire opinion about gorgeous men on her experience with Terrell. She’d dealt with it most of her life. The only time drop dead gorgeous guys wanted anything to do with her was because they were using her for something: either for the answers to a quiz, a tutor or to get closer to one of her sisters. It was enough for anyone to develop a complex.

Nope. She’d definitely learned her lesson and when she gave her heart again, it would be to a man in her own league….without children. The having no kids part was just as important. Terrell’s betrayal had hurt doubly because Sadie had developed feelings for his child. She’d been prepared to raise Malia as her own and not being in that little girl’s life fucking hurt. No more hotties, and no more baby mama drama. And definitely no Rhys Edwards.

After that first encounter she believed it would be the last she saw of him, but to her surprise, he’d come by her office today to ask her out for lunch. What could he possibly want from her? Not that it mattered. He was off limits.

“A penny for them,” Lily broke into her silent musings.

Sadie shook her head to rid herself of the memories. “Huh?”

“What were you just thinking about? I lost you for a minute.”

“Nothing really, it’s just…” Should she tell her sister about Rhys?

“It’s just what?”

Sadie took a long sip from her water glass before answering. “There’s this guy at my job, a professor. He returned my poetry notebook I’d left in his classroom. I’d gone to his lecture by mistake but apparently, he remembered me. He came by my office today and asked me out.”

“And what was your answer?”

“No, of course. He’s….gorgeous for lack of a better word.”

“And you turned him down, why?”

“He’s also white.”

Lily shrugged. “You make it sound like that should be a deal breaker. It doesn’t matter the color as long as he’s a good man. I never thought stuff like that mattered to you.”

“It doesn’t, it’s just….he seems like the kind of guy who’d have a willowy blond or an exotic redhead on his arm. He works in a different department than I do so I can’t quite figure out what his angle is yet.”

“Did it ever occur to you that he wants to get to know you better? That he’s interested in you as a woman?”

Sadie snorted. “I doubt it. You should see this guy. I can’t even think of a description to adequately describe him because he’s so…wow.”

Lily grinned. “He must be something else.”

“I’ll say. But like I said, he’s not for me. He’ll probably lose interest within the next few days as soon as a tall leggy blonde walks his way. I don’t want to talk about this anymore, it’s pointless because nothing will come from it.” Even though the words had come out of her mouth, it still hurt her to say them. That a practical stranger could provoke these feelings within her only reinforced her resolve.

“I’ll drop it if that’s what you want but for someone who claims to have moved on with their life, you have an awful lot of hang-ups.”

* * *

Rhys ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Damn if that woman hadn’t gotten under his skin. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, that voluptuous frame her warm smile, the way her eyes lit up when she was pleased about something and her cute giggle.

After the first time they’d talked, it had taken him a few days to gather up his courage to seek her out again. He might have left well enough alone since she’d seemed to be in a hurry to get away from him, but for one brief moment, a certain look had flashed in her eyes. She was attracted to him, and it was for that look he’d clung to hope.

He’d peeked into her office and had seen she was on the phone. A smile had curved her sensually full lips to reveal a slight gap in the middle of her two front teeth. Rhys thought it was utterly enchanting. And then a twinge of jealousy shot through him. Who was on the other end of the line that had put that adorable grin on her face? He felt like a creep for eavesdropping but relief hit him when he realized she was talking to a woman. That relief, however, didn’t last when she’d turned him down flat. He politely took no for an answer that time around but he’d ask again. Something told him Sadie Flowers was definitely worth pursuing.

She wasn’t the type he normally dated. For some reason, he seemed to attract model type women who were more into themselves and material possessions like his ex-wife than in building meaningful relationships. Or women who were as his daughter called them, bimbos. Was it some kind of vibe he sent out or was there a big neon sign over his head that read women with narcissistic tendencies and gold diggers welcome? He’d given upon dating for a while to focus on his job and being a good father. And he knew if he ever did start dating again, it would be to a woman who he not only found attractive but was warm and genuine. He sensed that in Sadie.

She would be his friend, the perfect companion, lover and she’d be good to his daughter. He hoped the two of them would get along. God, he hoped so because he believed he’d finally found his dream woman.

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