Page 20 of Something Blue

Playing a part. Right. “Well, if there’s nothing else to plan . . .”

“Nope, nothing at all. See you in a few days.”

After hanging up, an emptiness spread through her, tearing at her conscience. Why was she so bothered by him? He had made his intentions clear, and yet she couldn’t help yearning for what could never be.

9

Andy

Andy had gone from high school to college, not stopping until he’d finished his masters. Work had become his life, and occasional dates helped keep his unavailable status in check. So why in the world did he run for his phone whenever it rang? Other than that one fluke call he’d blundered, it was never her.

Waiting for his vacation to start was murder.

Many times, he reached for his phone to call her, but he’d always chickened out. It didn’t make sense that he missed seeing her. On the night before they were to leave, he finally broke down and messaged her.

Are you packed?

He paced the entirety of his condo twice before she replied.

Mostly. I thought about throwing in some fake hairy spiders and rubber chickens to liven up the wedding. What do you think?

Relief spread through him, and he laughed loudly, filling his empty house. He read the text again and frowned. She was joking, right?

Don’t stoop to that level. All you have to do is wear those outfits and show him what he’s missing.

When she didn’t reply, he worried he’d been too harsh. He sent a smiling emoji sticker to show he was kidding. It bugged him that he was overthinking things. She wasn’t even his type, or maybe she was. It had been a while since he’d had a type. All girls had been off limits in his mind and suddenly the decision had been made for him.

His thoughts turned to mush as he finished packing, including outfits that matched how smoking hot she’d be. If Sadie wanted a competition, he’d make it happen. Turning heads went with his business.

The morning of the trip, he woke early, got ready, and then met his parents’ chauffeur in front of his condo. Henry stowed Andy’s suitcase in the trunk while he settled in the back. He waited until Henry pulled out of the driveway. “Remember you’re not a chauffeur today. Only a friend. Don’t let Sadie know what I do.”

Henry was in his thirties, but his glasses and full frame made him seem much older. Hopefully she would buy the lie. “Yes, sir.”

“Andy,” he corrected the chauffeur.

It was less than a twenty-minute drive from Anthem to Henderson where she lived, but the contrast was drastic. Instead of a guarded and gated community with million-dollar condos, her apartment complex was on the corner of a busy street across from the hospital. The hospital! Gosh, he was an idiot. Of course she wanted to be close to work! When he didn’t want the thirty-minute commute, he stayed in one of the penthouses in the hotel. It seemed an apology was in order.

His heart was fluttery and light as they drove closer to her place. He could attribute it to his first vacation in years, but after missing her for a week, he knew that wasn’t the case.

When they were parked in the parking lot of her complex, Andy reached over and stopped Henry before he could open the door. “I’ll get her bags. Remember.”

“Yes, sir. I mean, Andy.”

Andy frowned and got out of the car. Before he could make it to her apartment, she hurried out and closed the door, her suitcase trailing behind. He frowned. Her hair was still straight and pulled back in a high ponytail, but she wore a green 4-H T-shirt under overall shorts and a pair of white tennis shoes. Gone was the bombshell beauty. Instead, he had Farmer Jill who’d forgotten her straw hat. “Why didn’t you wear one of the new outfits?”

Sadie pushed past him. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? I want to be comfortable, not impress someone. Wow, your tact needs some work. It’s good to see you too.”

He shifted his weight and cursed inwardly. Why did he have such crash-and-burn opening lines whenever he was around her? He could’ve gone with a dozen other things. Hi! You look adorable in overalls. I missed you. Anything except what he’d said.

He followed her to the back of the car to load her things. When she tried to lift her bag, he snatched it away and slid it into the trunk next to his luggage. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, following a step behind. “I put my foot in my mouth again, huh?”

“It’s fine. I’m getting used it.” She gestured to the passenger seat. “You can sit in the front with your friend.”

He shook his head and opened the back door. “I’ll sit with you. Slide in.” The skin on his fingers buzzed when his hand brushed against her arm. He stopped mid-move and waited until she was settled in the seat before he sat down.

“Hi, I’m Sadie,” she said brightly.

He frowned and leaned against the seat. Why was he such a bonehead when it came to women?

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