Page 40 of Fool Me

Sadie made the slightest move with her shoulders, and Ginny released her. They both leaned back against the sofa, side by side.

“All I’m doing by punishing myself,” Sadie continued, “is hurting other people—good people. I hurt Grant all through college. Then I tried to hurt his career, and when he poured his heart out to me this morning, I accused him of horrible things and sent him away—down the back stairs!” She cringed, the memory a thousand bee stings to the heart. “I wasawfulto him.”

“What now?” Ginny said after a beat.

Sadie closed her fingers gently around the little earrings still in her hand. She lifted her shoulders one inch and dropped them two. “I have to apologize. I’m going to his place right now, and hopefully he’s home. I’ll tell him how sorry I am, and then he can yell at me, and at least I’ll have that behind me.”

“And what if he doesn’t yell at you? What if he understands?”

“Then he’s a saint among men,” Sadie said, “and I definitely don’t deserve him.”

“Stop it,” Ginny said, unfolding herself and standing up. “You’re doing it again.”

Sadie let out a rueful laugh. “Fine. If he’s understanding, we’ll talk, okay? And I won’t push him away because…Ginny…” Her voice shrank inside her mouth as the words came out. “I think I’m in love with Grant. I think I have been since the day I saw him.”

“I think so too,” Ginny said, holding out a hand to help her sister up. “But I’m driving. You’re in no state for it.”

In between explaining to Ginny where and when to turn, Sadie tried to organize in her head the things she needed to say to Grant. Apologizing for the past six years came first, and especially for the past few weeks of their fake dates. If he didn’t slam the door in her face, she’d confess that she, too, had felt something that day in his dorm room, that her feelings had grown as she’d gotten to know him through his dates with her roommates, and that their three fake dates had sealed the deal.

“This is it,” Sadie said, pointing to the small parking lot in front of his building, “and that’s his car, so he’s probably home.”

Ginny pulled into a spot near the blue convertible and gave Sadie a thumbs up. “You got this.”

But as Sadie tried to get out of her car, the wonky seatbelt wouldn't let go. “Argh! I’ve got to get this fixed.”

A limo zoomed in behind them, and a woman in a long, tan, trench coat emerged from the greenery outside Grant’s apartment and strode toward it.

Sadie slid down in her seat. “Get down,” she barked. “You can’t let her see us!”

Confused, Ginny looked at the woman. “Why? Who is that?”

“Get down,” Sadie said as she half yanked, half pushed her sister down until her head sat below steering wheel level. “It’s Julia.” Saying her name felt like a hot poker to the gut.

They waited until the limo pulled away.

“Now go?” Ginny said, sitting up and giving Sadie quizzical eyes.

Sadie shook her head as she sat up too. “It’s too late. Grant is over me. He’s already moved on—like Charlie did—and with someone who will help him with his career rather than destroy it.”

“Even if that’s true—and you don’t know that it is—you can still apologize.”

“And I will, but he was just with Julia. I can’t possibly do it right now. It would hurt too much. Seeing her here makes me realize I can’t ever see them together again, ever.”

Ginny bit her lower lip lightly. “That’s going to be tricky when you’re all in the same movie.”

“It is,” Sadie said. “Let’s go.” She motioned for her sister to take them back to her place. As Ginny pulled away, Sadie took out her phone and dialed Ronny’s number.

“Ronny Widner,” came the voice on the other end.

Sadie steadied herself. She had no choice. She needed to start her life over again, but not like this. “Hey, Mr. Widner,” she began. She could hear the falter in her voice.

“Sadie? Is that you?” he said, sounding happy to hear from her. “What’s up? I’m sorry there weren’t any photographers at Be-Seen yesterday. I sent several there, so I don’t know what happened.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m calling because, though I sincerely appreciate the offer, I no longer want a part inSurf Summer.”

Ginny made a grab for the phone, but Sadie switched it to her right hand and leaned toward the window while sending Ginny her most serious I-have-to-do-this glare.

“What?” Ronny said. “Do you realize what you’re giving up? This is a huge opportunity, and it’s easy to see how much promise you have.”

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