Page 113 of When Morning Comes Around

When they reached the lobby of the lodge, she stopped. “I should probably go in by myself.”

He nodded, even though he wanted to walk right in there with her and tell Dale where to go.

He checked over his shoulder before leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Go on, I’ll be right behind you.”

As he watched her go, his phone buzzed, and he checked the message.

Taryn: What do you need from me?

Dom: Just keep an eye on them. I’ll be sitting close by. I had to give you a heads up so that you don’t give us away – and so that you don’t flip out on Sadie when you see her with someone else.

Taryn: It’s a good thing you told me. I would not have been happy. I think I have the ex pegged already – he’s sitting at the bar. And just in case you’re worried – you have nothing to worry about.

Dom had to smile.

Dom: Thanks.

He took a deep breath and then made his way into the bar. Sadie was standing with a man… In fact, no, she was standing, and he was sitting on a stool at the bar. He hadn’t even gotten to his feet to greet her. He was smiling at her, and she looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Taryn caught his gaze and jerked her chin toward an empty stool right next to them. It felt strange, but there was no reasonfor him to hide – Dale had no idea that he existed, let alone what he looked like.

He took a seat, and scowled as he listened to Dale saying, “You should have come last night, we could have had dinner.”

He didn’t get to hear Sadie’s reply, as Taryn approached and asked, “What can I get you, handsome?”

He rolled his eyes at her as he ordered a light beer.

She set his drink in front of him and made a face at Dale’s back. Sadie sat on the stool next to him, and Taryn turned her attention to her.

Dom had to hand it to her; there was no way that Dale would suspect that Taryn already knew them.

“What are you doing here?” Sadie asked.

“I told you on the phone – I came to see you. We need to talk.”

“Well, I’m here, so talk.”

“I’ve been thinking; we were too hasty.”

Sadie laughed. “If anything, we took too long. It’s over, Dale. And if you’re honest, you’ll admit that it should’ve been over years ago.”

“That’s your dad talking.”

Dom scowled, but he was proud of Sadie’s reply.

“I’m not going to get caught up in the old arguments with you. You wanted to see me, so what do you want to talk about?”

“I think you should come home.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

There was an edge to Dale’s voice when he spoke again. “Sadie, be reasonable. We spent a lifetime building up the business. We can’t let it all fall apart now just because you decided that you want to leave me.”

Dom’s hand curled into a fist at his side.

“You know, Dale, I built the business. You’re the one who’s letting it fall apart. We both know damn well that I didn’t just decide to leave. You gave me good reason.”

“You mean Adrienne?”

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