Page 51 of Something Blue

Hope bubbled within his chest. “So, you’re telling me to hang on to her no matter what?”

Gretchen gripped the back of her friend’s chair. “Hang on for dear life.”

Nancy stood up and looked as if she were going to run Sadie down. “You go find that girl and make sure she doesn’t go to that wedding alone. She needs to see the end to have a fresh start.”

He nodded and stood. It had only been a little over an hour since he’d seen her, but a lot could be done in an hour. “I’ll be going then.”

The group of Resters chuckled. “Go get her,” Nancy said cheerfully, her rosy cheeks beaming.

After thanking them for their timely advice, he ran toward the room. He unlocked the door, and held the handle for a long minute. Before he could turn the knob, the door swung open, pushing him to the side. He peeked around it to see a suitcase being shoved out.

Sadie’s tear-shrieked face glared up at him as he came around the door to grip the suitcase handle.

“Don’t go,” he said before she could get a word out. “I was wrong. You have every right to be upset over Chase. I was insensitive and stupid.”

She met his eyes and another tear rolled down her cheek. “I can’t stay. Watching them get married is too hard.”

He nodded. “I know it’s going to be hard, but you’ve been kicking butt all week! You’re not alone.”

For more than a second, she paused, but then she pushed her suitcase past him. “No, I’ll feel better if I don’t see it.”

He went after her and held her shoulders as she faced away from him. “Maybe, for a little bit, you’ll be better. But after time, you’ll regret you didn’t stay and face him. You need to see this wedding happen to get closure.”

She looked back at him. “Closure?” Her voice broke. “Do I need that?”

He gently turned her around and led her inside, dragging the suitcase with his free hand. “Absolutely. I promise I’ll stay by your side, hold your hand, and comfort you afterward. Even though I don’t want you within ten feet of him, I know you need to be at that wedding.”

He shut the door behind them and led her to the couch. While she took a long drink of water, he slipped the suitcase back into the room. He felt like chucking it on the back porch, so she wasn’t tempted to leave again, but somehow, he knew her resolve had cracked, and she wanted a chance for closure.

22

Sadie

Loud music blared from somewhere on the beach, and she suspected it came from the DJ for Piper and Chase’s wedding. They’d had a good last day at the beach, but sadly some of their day was spent cleaning the condo, packing, and getting ready for the wedding. Sadie dreaded attending that party like a Friday night in the ER.

Andy stopped walking and turned to her for the third time. “Are you really okay to go? I want you to face this, but I’m worried it’ll make things worse.”

She pressed her lips together in a resolute manner. “I’m going to be fine. Piper’s going to get her minute to shine, and I’m going to be happy for the two of them.”

“If you say so.”

They were quiet as they followed a few people down to the sand where there were chairs, torches, and an archway of flowers set up at the end of the processional walkway. Chase and Piper’s parents greeted them at the back of the seated section.

“I’m so glad you could come,” Chase’s mom said.

Sadie hated that she did it with a look of sympathy. His mom had known best the way she’d felt about him.

Since the Michigan group took up most of the left side of the aisle, she spotted Nancy and Gretchen sitting among some of the Rester Club members and moved toward them.

Someone grabbed Sadie’s arm from behind “There you are!” Piper said. “The bridesmaids are supposed to be early, not on time.”

Sadie winced and held her arm. “Sorry, I—”

In a second, as if Piper had realized how brash she had been, Piper let go and laughed. “Sorry wedding jitters. Will you two join me at the back? We’re ready to start.”

Chase stood under the arch, staring in Sadie’s direction. He had seen the whole event and hadn’t done a thing. All she could think was, good luck!

Andy sighed and joined the two ladies.

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