Page 7 of Something Blue

“Hmm,” Sadie mused. “Sounds doable.”

He slid the envelope across the table. “This should be enough to compensate you for your troubles.”

She opened it and pulled out a check. Her jaw dropped as she continued to read.

Andy smiled, and instantly, he knew the amount was enough. No one could resist that much money. He had this job in the bag.

4

Sadie

The color green had never been Sadie’s favorite, but staring at the sage-colored check tempted her to change her preference. With this much cash, she could ensure she had a buffer should any more residual medical bills or other unexpected expenses come her way.

The edge of the envelope wobbled in her hands as she looked from the check to Andy. His brown eyes reminded her of the Emerald Coast, snapping her out of her daydream. If she took the money, there was no way he’d agree to her plan. With a strengthened resolution, she stuck the check back into the envelope and slid it back across the table.

He folded his arms across his chest. He wasn’t overly muscly, but he was no bean pole, either. Luckily, he wasn’t one of the two-thirds of American men who had lost most of their hair. In fact, his blonde waves looked fuller than ever.

“That was pretty quick. Can you rethink your decision?” he asked.

Andy had given her the same look several times during the evening. When had he turned so skeptical and calculating? Gone were the wide, confident smiles he seemed to give everyone. When she’d first seen him, she hoped there would be at least a small flash of recognition, but he was still as oblivious of her as he had been in high school.

“It’s not enough?” he prompted when she didn’t comment. “I’m sure I can get more if you need it.”

Sadie gritted her teeth as dollar signs flashed in her mind. Be strong. It would only take six months of overtime, eating Ramen noodles, and pinching every extra penny to save that amount. She shook her head, not trusting her mouth.

“So, you don’t want to do this?” He leaned back in the chair. “Why did you come, then?”

“I want to make a deal instead. I need your help as well.”

He leaned forward, but his face remained stoic. “I’m intrigued. What would make you turn down thousands of dollars?”

She sighed, annoyed he had brought up the money again. “I need a date to a wedding.”

“A date? Perfect. It will help convince my parents. When is it?”

“In two Saturdays.”

Andy tapped the side of his head. “I usually have charity events to attend on the weekends, but I’ll try to clear my schedule.”

Sadie swallowed down a lump growing in her throat. This request would be harder than she thought. “The wedding is in Florida.”

Andy had taken a drink and spluttered. His cheeks turned pink, making him look extra handsome. “Florida. Well, I guess if we take a flight in the morning and leave the same night, it could work.”

She cleared her throat. “Let me lay everything out, and if it doesn’t sound like something you want to do, then you can find another fake girlfriend for dinner with your parents.”

As he squirmed in his seat, she knew she had gained the advantage. Still, taking off time for work would be a huge sacrifice for someone he didn’t know.

“I have a timeshare in Destin, Florida for week nineteen, every year. There are quite a few families who bought into the timeshare business at the same time, and we’ve grown up together. Two of my friends are getting married during our week this year, and I don’t want to show up alone.”

Andy blinked a few times, but showed no other reaction. Sadie took the hint and kept talking.

“I’d say we could fly in on the day of the wedding, but this is my first time going to our condo since . . . well, for a few years. I don’t want to be alone.”

“You want me to take a week off work, come to the beach with you, and pretend we’re a couple for a wedding?”

It sounded crazy when he said it like that. She grasped for the closest mental straw she could. “And in return, we can mention our little vacation to your parents, and it will make them think we’re serious about each other.”

Andy eyed her suspiciously. “Serious about each other? I guess if we’re staying in the same condo for a week, we must be.”

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