Page 44 of Something Blue

As he continued to smile at her, the tightness in her chest released, and she felt her worries melt. He took her hand across the table and squeezed it. “You’re okay, right?”

“I will be.”

Their drinks were placed in front of them, breaking their gaze. “Are y’all ready to order?”

“Ah, yes,” Andy said, turning his attention to Ruth. He rattled off all the entries he’d mentioned and added onion rings, sweet potato fries, and fried apple pie for dessert.

After Ruth left them, Sadie had the urge to tell Andy everything. It only took a few sips of her overly sweet drink before she felt ready to spiel about Chase. Just as she cleared her throat, he held up a hand to stop her.

“Don’t feel like you have to tell me. You wouldn’t have cried if the talk had gone well.”

She wrung her hands together before placing them on the table. “If you don’t mind listening, I need to get it out, or I won’t be able to eat. It’s literally crushing me.”

He widened his eyes. “By all means then, please share. I’ll listen without any judgment.”

She nodded and relayed the conversation to him. Afterwards, she said, “I can’t help but think about what could have happened if my mom hadn’t gotten sick. Would he and Piper still be dating? I’m kind of upset he brought up my mom, as if it were her fault we aren’t together. It seems he’s unhappy with Piper, but he chose his mess, and now he has to sit in it.”

His picture-still face broke into concern. In an instant he was up, moving next to her in the booth. Without saying anything, he slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

She turned and buried her face in his chest. “I don’t even know why I’m upset. Nothing’s changed, but I feel like I can’t even meet his eyes anymore.”

“That makes sense. You have every right to feel upset.” Andy ran his fingers through her hair, sending tingles in a cascade down her neck. She shivered and backed away.

“Sorry. I’m pining for your curls.” He groaned. “Why did I ever make you straighten your hair?”

“You don’t like it straight?”

He shook his head. “I did at first, but now I miss your curls. They bounced when you walked, and you looked extra cute.”

Her cheeks burned as she reached for her drink and took a long, sugary swallow. “What am I? An elementary school kid?”

“No. It helps you maintain a look of innocence.”

She laughed, and more weight lifted from her shoulders. Talking to Andy was becoming easier and more entertaining.

The waitress came with their food, filling their table with plates of calories. Aromas of fish, lemon, and French fries filled her nostrils. Suddenly, her appetite returned with a flare, and she reached for the closest crab leg.

“I guess it’s a good thing I ordered extra.”

She smiled, showing off bits of chewed up crab meat.

Andy laughed and scooted away from her. “Okay, okay. I get it. Close your mouth and eat.”

The next half hour was filled with plate scraping, chewing, and happy moans as they ate everything in front of them.

“Yep, I don’t like those,” Andy said pushing the plate of oysters toward her. “It’s all yours.”

She licked her lips and finished the last four. By the time dessert came, Sadie felt like tipping over from so much food, but she took a few bites of the sweet apple pie to leave a good taste in her mouth.

When it was time to go, they both stood up and stretched, then laughed when they saw each other doing the same thing.

“Should we go for round two?” Andy asked with a wicked smile.

She patted his stomach, making him groan. “Not on your life. How about a Jacuzzi soak and a walk on the beach once our food has settled?”

“Sounds good to me.”

After a short drive home, Andy parked, and they headed across the lot to their condo. Before they could make it inside, Chase came out and waved. “Hey, guys. Did you go out for dinner tonight?”

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