Page 3 of Something Blue

Tanner nodded and began typing. When he was done, he turned the laptop around so Andy could check his work.

“Looks good. Make sure you mention an ample compensation so this doesn’t seem like a creepy situation.”

“It’s creepy.”

“You can assure whomever is chosen that I will be professional and respectful. Also, don’t contact me about this until you have the right one. I don’t want to waste my time with women who might have a hard time letting go of my wallet.”

“Right, boss.” Tanner stood and saluted him before leaving the room.

Andy turned to face the window and glanced down at the busy metropolis below. Some woman was about to get very rich, and he was finally going to get what he deserved.

2

Sadie

Sadie squinted as the sun’s rays hit her squarely in the eyes. She glanced at the sign on the store her best friend had parked in front of. “Why are we here? I told you I’m not going.”

Carrie pulled her thick, black hair back into a ponytail. How she didn’t die in the Las Vegas heat was beyond Sadie.

“Your mom wouldn’t be happy if you didn’t go, and you know it. Aren’t you tired of the desert?” Carrie asked.

Sadie sighed and looked up at the roof of the car. Her mom bought a timeshare in Destin, Florida when she was a baby thirty years ago, and except for the two years there had been hurricane cleanups, her family had always gone. That was until her mom died three years ago from breast cancer. Now she couldn’t bear to go alone.

“I’m sure I can find someone to rent it last minute. I could use the money.”

“It’s only for a week, and you deserve a break after the year you’ve had.” Carrie huffed. “Plus, isn’t your bestie, Piper, getting married?”

Sadie snorted and played with the seatbelt. Carrie’s convertible was so much nicer than her Oldsmobile junker. “Best friend? That’s a laugh. Piper and I stopped being friends in middle school when she stole Chase from me.”

“Was he ever yours? He barely paid attention to you senior year when I was there.”

A drop of sweat rolled down Sadie’s back. She turned the air vent toward herself, but it wasn’t enough. “Can we go? I don’t need a bathing suit or anything else.”

“And what would your mom say if she knew you hadn’t been to the condo since she passed away?”

Her mom would probably have given her a solid kick in the pants for not living her life to the fullest. Sadie rested her head back against the seat. “I don’t want to go alone. All the families I grew up with will want to talk about the good old days, and you know I hate crying.”

“Don’t go alone, then. Take a man.”

“Ha! I haven’t dated a man seriously since... ever. I can’t break my track record now. Giving a one-week notice for vacation isn’t very professional.”

“Well, good thing I control the schedule.”

Carrie was the director of nurses at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center where Sadie was an ER nurse. Since her mom died, Sadie picked up extra shifts whenever she could.

“You haven’t taken paid vacation in years, so do it. Make it happen.” Taking the keys out of the ignition, Carrie shoved them into her purse. “Listen, I’m not leaving here until we buy an acceptable number of swimsuits.” She raised her hand to stop Sadie from talking. “And don’t worry about the price. It’s on me today.”

“Why do you do this?”

“What?” Carrie asked, giving Sadie an innocent smile.

“Flaunt your money where it doesn’t belong. You’d shove it in my bank account if you could.”

With her lips pouting, Carrie said, “Tried that. Seems you’ve blocked people from doing deposits since your mom’s funeral.”

Sadie stiffened and leaned forward into the vent, hoping to catch the last bit of coolness left behind. “I paid the last of Mom’s medical bills last month, and I can finally breathe. From now on, I’m going to save a little from every paycheck so that I’m never up to my eyeballs in debt again.”

“Which is why I’m buying your swimsuits. Now get out of the car before we die out here.”

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