Page 69 of Married With Lies

“I’m not a little anything, Sadie.”

Especially not right now. The zipper of my pants is ready to bust open. Good thing my blazer is long enough to cover the bulge.

But check out the sudden blush in Miss Sadie’s cheeks. She sucks in her lower lip and visibly wars with the urge to zero in on my crotch.

She doesn’t need to fight it. If she wants a better look all she needs to do is ask.

“Just don’t leave yet,” she says and runs back to the house.

She’s not gone for more than twenty seconds before the door swings open and she runs back out with a large flat object in her hands.

“Here,” she says, triumphant and breathless.

I turn the thing over in my hands. “Elton John’s Greatest Hits.”

“I keep a few extra copies around, just in case I run into someone who needs it. Tiny Dancer. Crocodile Rock. Candle in the Wind. Something for every mood.”

“This is a record album.”

“Very observant, Cale.”

“I don’t own a record player.”

“Now you have a good reason to buy one.”

The gift is sweet and it’s unique. Just like Sadie herself.

I toss it into the front seat. “Thanks. For this and for being cool when I barged in here.”

“Like I told you, Cale, you’re always welcome at Bright Hearts. I just hope next time you won’t be so…”

“Bloody?”

She smiles. “Yes.” Then her smile fades and her mouth pinches. “Seriously, promise you’ll take care of yourself.”

“I’ll commit to staying healthy long enough to be your wedding date next month.”

“Yikes, I get heartburn just thinking about the horrors that await. At least I’ll have one friend there.”

“Look on the bright side. At this wedding you won’t even need to kiss me.”

Her hand flies up to her face. Her fingertip traces her lower lip and her cheeks redden.

No wonder. That kiss in Vegas was fucking electric. Obviously I’m not the only one who keeps thinking about it.

I clear my throat so I don’t do something stupid. “I guess I’ll see you next month in New York.”

She nods and takes her hand away from her mouth. “I’ll be the one whose peach dress clashes with her hair.”

It feels like something else ought to happen, like a handshake or whatever.

While I’m still mulling this idea over, Sadie lunges and captures me in a hug. Her arms wrap around my torso and she rests her cheek against my chest.

“Goodbye, Cale,” she whispers.

Instantly, my arms form a cage around her soft body. I lower my head and breath in the sweet smell of her hair.

Normally I have the same kind of enthusiasm for a hug as I’d have for chocolate chips on pizza. Not my thing. Even with Luca, we usually stick to a fist bump or a back slap.

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