Page 15 of Chasing Sarah

I chuckle because it’s not that shecan’t, she just doesn’t like to because I‘always end up in trouble’.

“I was arrested one time,” I state, plopping myself onto her bed.

“For starting a fight,” she says, pointedly.

“Hey! It was his fault for cutting in line.”

“You were in line for a hotdog, Sarah,” she snorts.

“Not just any hotdog, Paige. AFrankie’shotdog.”

With a roll of her eyes, she walks to the closet and scans for an outfit.

“I will never understand your obsession with a standard New York hotdog,” she laughs.

“First, food is my obsession.” I hold up a finger. “B, I like Frankie, so it helps make the hotdog that much more delicious.”

After changing into a pair of jeans and a tank top, Paige pulls her long brown hair into a messy bun. Once finished, she crosses her arms and pops out a hip.

“Alright. Rules.”

Falling onto my back, I groan. “Rules?”

“If you want me to go, there needs to be some rules.”

“Ugh. Fine.”

“Rule number one: you are not fighting.”

I struggle to hold in my smile. She knows me so well. I lift myself onto my elbows and look at Paige.

Her eyes bore into mine as she waits for my acknowledgment. After I nod, she continues.

“Rule number two: no drinking.”

Wasn’t planning on it.

“Okay.” I nod.

“Rule number three: when I say it’s time to go, that means we go.”

“But you always want to leave right away,” I complain.

I know she struggles being around people, especially men, but if I don’t push her, she’ll stay in her room all day, every day.

“How about.” I stand. “We stay through at least two fights, and then we can leave?” I negotiate.

Paige pulls her lips into her mouth and narrows her eyes.

Holding my hands together, I bring them up to my chin and push out my bottom lip.

When she doesn’t relent, I drop to my knees.

That pulls a snort out of her, and she places her hands on her hips. “Fine, you loon.”

I shoot up and wrap my arms around her. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou.” After I release her, she moves toward the doorway.

“I’m just going to put a little bit of make-up on and then we can leave.” She tosses over her shoulder.

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