Page 78 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“Yeah. Yourmothersays that although she’s in there right now listing off the reasons why Eden should invite Landry here this weekend.”

Sadie could watch Ellie and Vera talk all day. The two were easily the most animated talkers out of the group and they fed off each other in a way Sadie didn’t know was possible. She almost said as much when the doorbell rang. It felt like the bell at recess that meant they had to go back inside. Because Sadie knew who was on the other side of the door.

“I don’t want you to go,” Ellie whined as she wrapped an arm around Sadie’s shoulders.

“I don’t want it either.”

Vera and Isla had gone to answer the door and returned a few moments later with Delaney and Charlie. Sadie jumped up and hugged them as Ellie followed behind her.

“I’m glad to see you’re still in one piece.” Delaney looked Sadie over, only mildly embarrassing her. “Did you two have fun?”

“We did,” they answered in unison.

“That’s good. Are you all packed?”

“Yup.”

“Good. Charlie got us a flight out of Boston, so we brought you some extra clothes for Florida.”

Sadie resisted the urge to whine in front of Ellie and her family. She knew her mom wouldn’t have picked out what Sadie wanted to wear, but it was too late for that now. At least she could just wash what she’d worn to the Cape.

Reluctantly, Sadie said her goodbyes to the Mackenzies as she and Ellie headed out to her mom’s SUV. Delaney and Charlie took a few moments to chat with everyone else, allowing Sadie and Ellie some alone time outside. Ellie tenderly tucked Sadie’s hair behind her ear as she kissed her.

“I’m going to miss you.”

“We can text and FaceTime all the time.”

“You better.”

“I will,” Sadie giggled as Ellie tickled her side. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Don’t forget me.”

“Something tells me I won’t.”

Leaning in again, Sadie kissed her. It was less like their previous kisses that morning and more like their first kiss behind the garage at the party. There was more passion in it than Sadie had anticipated, but she didn’t have time to overthink it.

“Ah,” Delaney’s voice caused them to separate quickly, “so I see Charlie was right.”

“I was?” Charlie rounded the corner of the SUV, smirking when she saw them. “Aww, I was right.”

“And on that note, goodbye, Ellie.”

“Bye, Sadie.”

Ellie was clearly enjoying it, as she smiled the whole time she opened Sadie’s door for her and waited for her to get inside. They quickly kissed once more before Ellie closed the door. As Ellie joined her parents on the front porch and waved, Sadie felt both her mom’s and Charlie’s gaze on her as they pulled to the stop sign at the end of the subdivision.

“What?” She tried to act annoyed, but her smile betrayed her.

Dammit.

“So, you had a good week, huh?”

“Shut up.”

“Don’t tell Charlie to shut up.” Delaney was teasing, as was Sadie. “So, are you and Ellie dating now?”

“I thought we had a plane to catch.”

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