Page 57 of Mad Love

I saw every inch of her in those short shorts and that skimpy tank top last night and have had two sessions in the shower to deal with the aftermath of that, but fuck me, what is going on here?

She’s stunning and completely oblivious to the fact. She’s smart and insightful and quietly shines in everything she does, whether it’s taking care of Caleb or talking about interior design or packing her things from the apartment she shared with her sister. Even her grieving is stoically graceful.

She has a much larger personality than she realizes.

If I weren’t trying to do away with my player ways, I’d go out and get laid to dull these thoughts, but it wouldn’t work. It feels like a betrayal to even consider it, but that’s bullshit. It’s not like we’re contemplating a relationship. We can’t go there, and I’m sure she wouldn’t want to anyway.

But I can’t stop thinking about her.

Sadie Chapman is under my skin.

I’ve been in denial about it for a while now, but it’s not going anywhere. It’s only getting more intense.

“I came out to see what you might want to order, Sadie.” She leans in and talks low enough so only we can hear. “Business has been booming since the guys have been coming in. I’ve hired two new employees.”

She points and we look at the pink-haired barista by the espresso machine and the tall, lanky guy at the cash register. She grips my arm and I realize she expects me to follow her. She proves it when she tilts her head toward the room we met in last time. We start walking fast, trying to keep up and still hear her. She hasn’t stopped talking.

“I didn’t want you to have to wait in line because people will start asking for autographs and then you’ll never get out of here.” She puts in the code and slips inside, opening the door wide enough for us to squeeze through and shutting it quickly. She leans her head against the door and exhales.

“Jeepers,” she says. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this hustling. I’ve lived in Silver Hills my whole life and it’s always been quiet. I like it that way.” She laughs and motions to the guys who are looking up at us, amused.

“Jeepers,” Penn says, grinning. “I like that. Do you mind if I use it, Clara?”

Her shoulders shake as she laughs. “If you want to sound ancient like me, have at it,” she says.

Sadie smiles and waves at Levi, Rhodes’ little boy.

“Hi, I’m Sadie,” she says.

He grins and waves before putting a Cheerio in his mouth.

“He is so cute, Rhodes,” Sadie says.

Rhodes grins and tousles Levi’s curly hair. “And t-r-o-u-b-l-e.”

We laugh. I reach my hand out and Levi high-fives me.

“Just like your daddy, aren’t you, buddy,” I tease.

“Daddy!” Levi yells, his fist holding up a bunch of Cheerios that he then crams in his mouth.

Henley gets up and holds out his hands for the baby. I hand him over and Henley starts talking to him in that high baby voice that never fails to make me laugh.

“I don’t know if I haven’t been a parent long enough or what, but is there going to be a certain point where I start sounding like a baby when I talk to the little guy?” I say.

Henley cuts his eyes over at me and his mouth twitches.

Sadie snorts. “You do it too every now and then.” Her voice changes to falsetto, as she says, “Yes, you do!”

The booming sound of laughter reverberates throughout the small room. Rhodes laughs so hard he’s wiping his eyes.

He points at Sadie and looks at me. “She has got your number, Shaw.”

I roll my eyes, grinning. “Whatever. I still don’t sound like the rest of you fools.”

They laugh at that too.

“Yeah, right,” Bowie says.

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