Page 53 of Something Blue

She looked back at Andy and gave him a thumbs up. “I’ll be right back.”

He looked hesitant to let her go, but she was pulled away before she could read more into his expression.

Finally, when Chase had stopped in the gazebo, Sadie took her arm back.

“What’s going on? I thought you were sure about marrying her. What changed your mind?”

“Hold on, give me a minute,” he said, holding his side and breathing heavy. “I dumped my bride less than five minutes ago.”

Sadie sat on the bench across from him and rubbed her sore arm. “Yeah, I know. I felt it. Look, I hope you didn’t do this because of me.”

He snapped his head up and smirked. “I saved myself from making a big mistake. Why didn’t you stop me sooner?”

She bit her lip. Just when she’d accepted the fact he was getting married, he was suddenly back in the big old fish pond.

“I also may have heard a rumor going around the resort that you and Andy aren’t actually together. That you faked a relationship for this week. Smart plan. No one likes to be alone for a wedding.”

Crap! “Actually, you’re partly right. We were faking a relationship, but as I’ve gotten to know Andy better, he’s grown on me. We decided to try a relationship for real.”

“Pfft. Does that mean I can’t visit you in Vegas? I thought a trip might be good to clear my head.”

“You want to visit me at home?”

Andy popped out of the shadows of the gazebo with his arms crossed. “We’re together, and you breaking off your engagement doesn’t change anything.” Andy stepped forward and grabbed Sadie’s hand and pulled her in the direction of the condos.

When they were further away, she stopped him. “Why is everyone pulling my arm today?” She pulled free of his hand and took a step back toward the gazebo. “We were only talking.”

Andy looked hard at Sadie. “He didn’t bring you here to talk. He wants to visit you in Vegas.”

“I know you care about me, Andy, but I can handle this. Just let me finish talking to him, and I’ll meet you back at the room.” She regretted the words the moment she’d said them.

He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, it’s been a fun week. I’ve done my part in faking a relationship, and now you’re free to do whatever you want.”

“Andy, wait a—”

“No, I can’t. This, what we had together, is new enough it won’t hurt to end it. There is too much history between the two of you for me to compete. Or maybe, I don’t want to compete. It’s starting to feel uncomfortable to see you run after him every time he calls. You’re not worth the trouble.”

Sadie’s mouth dropped open as he walked away. Anger boiled within her blood, preventing her from chasing him down and proving to him just how she felt. They needed some time apart, and then she would try again.

She waited until Andy had disappeared around the side of the building, then turned back. Her insides felt like jelly. Chase leaned against the wooden back of the bench and watched her with a smirk.

“Way to stand up for yourself. He was being too nosy anyway.”

Sadie recoiled. “He’s worried. You left Piper at the . . . archway. I’m a little concerned too.” She sat on the end of Chase’s bench.

Too self-conscious to look up, she stared down at her sandals. This didn’t feel like the right time to be with him alone. “Maybe we should hang out some other time. You’ve had a rough day, and I need to fix things with Andy.”

“So, how do you feel about me coming to Vegas for a week? Piper and I were supposed to head out there next week on a honeymoon, and I still have my ticket.”

She tried to push her annoyance aside, but it was getting more difficult. Chase was a totally different person without Piper.

“I’m not sure.”

“It’ll be healing for me to move on. I think Piper has changed me too much.”

She agreed, but didn’t want to encourage him anymore.

“I can visit your mom’s grave, and we can have some fun together.”

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