Page 28 of Something Blue

Sadie seemed to take his compliment in stride and ran a hand down her ponytail. “Thanks. Rolando has really good taste.”

Andy’s lips twitched. Yes, he did, but he was getting credit for Andy’s work, and he was done sharing the limelight. “I didn’t want to tell you, but it’s driving me crazy. I’m the one who picked each and every item in that suitcase, not Rolando. It took four hours, three stores, six store assistants, and one credit card.”

Sadie bit her lip. “Sorry, I didn’t—”

“Seeing you in that dress makes it all worth it,” he said, cutting her off. Oh, he was in trouble. When he’d seen the dress in the store, he’d known it would look perfect on her, and it did. “I thought the bows would look young, but the person who helped me assured me they’re all the rage. And she was right. You look adorable.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks as he continued to check her out. Sadie stared at him for a long second. The extra clothes, the care he’d taken in picking every outfit, it was all part of the agreement. Sure, he had gone overboard, but it hadn’t hurt his wallet much. But why did it feel like something more?

“Thanks,” she finally managed to say. “You’ve got great taste.”

He chuckled and led the way out of the room. “Mom taught me well.”

They walked to the beach, then headed past all the high-rise resorts and hotels toward the only restaurant on the sand, The Back Porch. It was famous for its “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem” policy.

The small compliment had opened up their conversation again. Gone was his moodiness. Sadie told him the story of when she’d swum from the resort to the Back Porch and almost stepped on a crab. After a while, their conversation lulled into silence, and he enjoyed the sounds of the waves crashing and the soft feel of the water lapping against their feet.

Suddenly, he caught her smiling as she looked out at the water.

“What are you thinking?” Andy said, distracting her from her thoughts.

“Ah, my mom,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I was wondering what she’d think of our little fake arrangement.”

His heart lifted. She had been thinking about him. “What do you think she’d say?”

“She’d laugh.”

And then his heart plummeted.

“And then she’d tell me to go for it because you’re too good looking to throw back. Whenever Mom talked about men, she always referred to them as fish.”

“Wait,” he said, wanting to return to the first part of her statement. “You think I’m good looking?”

She shrugged, but her cheeks pinked, confirming her feelings. “We’re almost there.”

Sadie kept walking, and he hesitantly followed. She thought he was good looking! It shouldn’t have made him as happy as it did, but it was the best news he’d heard all day, and that was after he’d checked the stocks.

His hand brushed against hers as a wave crashed against their shins, higher and higher with each wave. The tide was coming in, and with it came all of the seafood debris. She searched the water as they walked, pointing out creatures and warning him to avoid the jellyfish bubbles dotting the sand.

“Explain this relationship you have with Chase,” Andy said, breaking the silence once again. “You told me you never dated, but you seem closer than friends. What’s he doing flirting with you when he’s engaged?”

“Flirting?” Sadie asked, laughing. “That wasn’t flirting. It took me a long time to figure out that touching women when he talks and giving them heart-warming looks when he meets their eyes is his personality. He works in sales, so he’s a real smooth talker. It comes off as flirting, but he has a really hard time with commitment. Or he did in the past.”

She frowned, sending his heart plunging again. Why did he care so much what she thought of Chase?

“I’m actually surprised Piper’s convinced him to settle down.”

Yes, he needed to hear more of their story. Maybe it would remind Sadie the guy was taken. “Did Piper know how you felt?”

“Everyone knew how I felt, even my mom.” Sadie sighed as if the memory still stung. “For years, she doted on Chase, hoping the two of us would get together. He was just another member of my family when we were here. Even when he and Piper dated, we stayed close.”

Andy glanced toward the resort side of the sand. “I realize now why you’re so close. This wedding is going to hurt you more than I thought.”

The restaurant came into view as she mulled over his statement. Finally, she shrugged and gave him a shy smile. “I think you’re right. I’ll try not to beat myself up too much this week.”

Before he could admire her gumption, a wave crashed around their feet, nearly toppling her over. He caught her with one arm and righted her in no time. “Whoa, there.” He pulled his other arm around her and held her close. Her eyes softened as he met her gaze, making his heart tug in her direction.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her ear. “The more time I spend with you, the more you impress me.”

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