Page 48 of Hidden Desire

“I’m fine.” Sage released a yawn, and Stassi shook her head. “Let’s focus on you. What’d you do this evening?”

Oh, let’s see, besides argue with my father? She turned away. She wanted to tell Sage everything, especially with them getting so close, but the more she considered it, the harder she’d believe it would be. “Spoke with Ariel a bit.”

“Oh yeah? Did she try to talk you out of being with me again?”

Stassi snickered, but then shook her head. “I wish you guys could get along.”

Sage held out her hands. “I have no beef with her, but I did get the distinct impression that she really didn’t like me and really didn’t want to put in any effort to like me. Maybe she was jealous because she still has the hots for you. I mean, who could blame her?”

The microwave dinged, and Sage turned to grab it. She carefully pulled it out and placed it on the kitchen table, with Sage’s eyes following her. “I can assure you that this has nothing to do with her having the hots for me. I’ve spoken with her, and it seems like Natalia and her are heating up quite nicely.” Sage shrugged, and Stassi continued. “Maybe she’s a bit intimidated by you, thinking that she’ll lose me as a friend.”

Sage arched an eyebrow and then took a bite of her food. She nodded, grinning. “Delicious,” but then contemplated that. “I mean, it’s possible. But she should know that I have no intention of keeping you away from her. I’m not a bully.”

Stassi reached out and trailed her finger over Sage’s. “Maybe someday we could all get together again, and you could tell her that.” Stassi tilted her head. “Ya think?”

Sage nodded. “If that’s what you would like, then that’s what will happen.” She continued to eat as she spoke about Lena and how she was worried that the union would not even make a difference. “We still need so many names, and I just think that maybe Lena is in a little over her head with this project. I don’t think she even knew what she was getting into.”

“I definitely don’t think she should give up; that’s truly the only way to fail.” Stassi’s mind went to her dad and the conversation. If he knew that she was pushing Lena to continue, he would really be surprised, but she didn’t care. She had to take a side, and right now, she wasn’t going to be able to accept his take on it. The way the hospital was treating the employees was wrong, and she wasn’t going to allow that to continue without knowing she had done something to assist the cause.

“You’re right. Maybe you should tell her that, so she doesn’t think that I’m the only one giving her a hard time and trying to push her to continue this.”

Stassi nodded and grinned. “The next time I see her.”

Sage held her stomach and stared at the food. “I’m stuffed, but that was amazing. You are such a wonderful cook, and I can’t thank you enough for being here and taking care of me while I’m off working the extra shifts. It means the world to me.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Stassi leaned in and kissed Sage. The three-letter word came fluttering back into her mind, but she had to press it back down. She stood up and grabbed the dishes, then put them in the sink to soak overnight.

“I may need help to bed,” Sage teased, holding out her hand. “My legs might not carry me all that way.”

“Lean on me,” Stassi beamed as she grabbed Sage’s hand and pulled her closer to her. They walked down the hallway and reached Sage’s bedroom. Sage went to the dresser, while Stassi grabbed her clothes from her suitcase. When she turned around, Sage had her eyes on her. Stassi grinned. “You’re staring,” Stassi whispered.

Sage snickered. “Sue me. I can’t help it.” Sage walked over and cupped Stassi’s chin in her palm. She lifted her head and brought her into a kiss. Stassi relaxed in her arms and stayed in that position, relishing the way Sage enveloped her.

“Sage?” Stassi whispered, breaking from the kiss. Sage’s eyes narrowed in on her. “Never mind.” She fell back against Sage and kissed her again, until her arms snaked around Sage, holding her to her. “We should get you to bed,” Stassi mumbled, wishing the night didn’t have to end like that, but Sage had to be back at the hospital in just a few hours, and she’d be no use for the patients if she didn’t have her strength. She pressed her hands against Sage’s chest to push herself away, not realizing how hard that’d be.

“I meant those words, you know.”

Stassi turned, and Sage’s lips quirked up into a small smile. “They came out quickly, I know. Perhaps you didn’t even hear them.”

“I heard them, at least I think I did,” Stassi smirked. “You meant that?”

“With all my heart. I love you, Stassi. There’s no denying that.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “You don’t have to say them, just because I was the first. I can wait, and I certainly don’t want you to say anything to them if you don’t believe them. I just couldn’t stop myself.”

Stassi moved in and placed her hand on Sage’s lips. “Will you let me get a word in? I love you, Sage. And I’m not saying that because you said it first. I’m saying it because it’s the truth. I have been falling in love with you every single day we’ve spent together, and I would shout it from the roof if I could.

Sage snaked her hand around Stassi’s neck and pulled her to her. Stassi was overjoyed that Sage meant the words, and she didn’t have to go on wondering, questioning, or hoping. It was out in the open, and every day after this would be their next adventure together.

Sage

Sage looked over the papers, reading line by line to ensure that nothing had been missed. She nodded as she shifted to the next page and then the next.

“It all looks good to me, Lena. Now we just need the lawyer to look it over. We want to make sure nothing is missed because that will only prolong the finalization of the papers. But I would say that we’re just one step closer.”

Lena clapped her hands together. “I feel like this is really going to happen.” She then grabbed the papers and looked them over, before looking up to meet Sage’s stare. “So, had an interesting conversation with Stassi yesterday?”

“Oh yeah? What about?”

“She just wanted to tell me how impressed she was about me going through with doing the union.” She frowned. “She hasn’t quite committed to signing the petition. And I know I’m not fully there until we get that signed with all the signatures, but I thought it was nice that she said something.” Sage nodded, then looked down at the petition in front of her. “Did you have something to do with that?”

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