Page 57 of Something Blue

He gathered all the courage he could muster. “I know you and Chase are probably dating now, but you still need to hold up your end of the bargain. Until I get my new position, we need to keep up the ruse.”

She sighed. “Why did you run off? You didn’t give me a chance to explain. Chase and I—”

“I don’t want to talk about him. He has taken up enough of my time, and I’m done talking about him. But back to the contract. You have to fulfill the terms of the contract or you owe me a large fine.”

“You’re the one who said it was canceled.”

“No. No, I meant the Florida part of the contract had been fulfilled. All week, my mom’s been wanting a date with us two, and you have to help me. Even if you are dating someone else, we can work around when he’s coming to town.” He refused to say the guy’s name again.

She sighed. “Andy, I’m not dating Chase, and I never will.”

His heart stuttered. “Wait, what? You’re not?”

“He’s coming into town, but I probably won’t see him. It’s you I like.”

The phone slipped from his hand, and he barely caught it in time. “What? That’s great. I mean, I like you too.”

“But,” she said, halting him in his tracks. “I was a little disappointed you didn’t give me the chance to explain how I felt. You assumed I’d jump into a relationship with Chase when I was only trying to be his friend. But despite all that, I put him before you, and I think that means we both need some time to figure things out. I’m happy to keep faking things for your parents and keep my end of the deal, but it starts us back at square one. A fake relationship.”

Disappointment plunged into his stomach and stole his voice. Finally, he croaked out an “Okay” and hung up the phone. Somehow, he had to convince this girl he was an idiot for leaving and that he was in this for the long haul.

24

Sadie

Sadie scrolled through her phone as she waited for Andy. Looking at the pictures of her and Andy whenever she had a free minute had become a habit. She clicked the heel of her pumps against the tile floor as she looked up to check for his car. She hadn’t had a chance to tell Andy how she felt, but he hadn’t really given her a chance. Until Chase had come and gone, she’d give Andy space to figure out what he wanted. But that didn’t stop her from looking her best for their fake date. Hopefully, he would remember the flowery sundress he’d chosen for her. It felt strange to be back at the beginning, faking a relationship she desperately wanted.

A few minutes later, Andy’s sleek Mercedes drove up, and before she could turn the knob, he was at her door with a bright-colored bouquet of flowers.

“Hi,” he said, his eyes sparkling as he looked her over. “I knew that dress would look fantastic on you.”

She hid her face in the flowers as she took in a whiff. Sneaky Andy.

“Let me put these away, and I’ll be right out.”

He scanned the room while she put the flowers in a vase. His face held a frown as he searched every inch of her house he could see from the doorway.

“He’s not here, Andy,” she said. “He comes in tomorrow.” She grabbed her purse and pulled him toward the door.

“I was just going to tell you that your apartment looks cute,” he said as she locked the door.

Good thing she’d cleaned. His hand brushed her curls, which were now tight and bouncy.

“Ah, yes. My hair is back to its normal bouncy self.”

“Just the way I like it.”

Why was he melting her resolve to stay indifferent with his flowers and compliments? If he’d wanted her, he should’ve stayed. Or at least let her get a word in edgewise. “We better get going.”

He nodded and stepped far away from her.

She nodded curtly, glad he understood. No funny business. And no talk of being together.

Sadie was glad he turned on some music as they drove to the restaurant. They chit-chatted about work and the weather, and were content to sit in silence. So far, so good.

“I hope you like sushi,” he said, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up as he parked in a spot next to a fancy, deep-maroon brick building. It looked dark and empty from the outside. “This looks like the place Tanner took me to get a makeover.”

He laughed, a little too nervously. “Yeah, I guess my parents like hole-in-the-wall places. But I promise the food is good.” The two other cars in the lot looked like they required hired drivers.

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