Page 13 of Chasing Forever
She smiles proudly. “I did.”
“I thought so.”
“Lottie.” Her tone is filled with exhaustion.
“Sadie.”
She doesn’t take my bait of mimicking her like I knew she wouldn’t, just stares at me with that look that says she’ll outwait me all day. I glare back, but it’s a fruitless venture because I’m too impatient. Hello, this is the woman who waited years to win her best friend’s heart. The patience of a preschool teacher, I tell you.
I throw my hands up and turn toward her, eyeing the door to make sure no one comes in. “Do I see the way he looks at me? Of course I do, Sadie, I’m not blind.”
“And the protectiveness?”
I blow out an annoyed breath. “It doesn’t matter. He’s Holden’s brother. That’s never going to change. I can’t even fathom word getting around Willowbrook that I married Brooks.”
Sadie’s face morphs into an exact replica of that day when she had to tell me they couldn’t find Holden anywhere. “Yeah, but?—”
“Wait. Are you suggesting I stay married to him?” My mouth drops open.
The hormones must be making Sadie delusional.
“I’m just saying you might have rushed into it, but?—”
“I drunk-married him.”
She hems and haws, her head moving left and right. “Maybe consider giving it some time before you sever the tie.”
“Sadie!”
She throws up her hands in that hear me out gesture. I don’t want to hear her out. I want to leave this bathroom, go to the airport, hop on a plane, and hide under my comforter at home until I can forget this whole disaster.
“I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.” I plaster on a fake smile so wide it hurts.
She sighs, clearly not buying it.
Taking her hand, I squeeze it. “I am. I promise. I’m really happy for you and Jude and your family, and I’m going to be a kickass aunt/cousin to Daisy and all the other little ones you have. But me? I’m good.”
“I wish you’d try again.”
“I’m content with my life.”
What I don’t tell her is that I can’t. I can’t hand over my heart to someone again—not when I’m terrified they’ll leave me gutted and bleeding out all over again.
“Now, come on, let’s just go back to the table. I want this over with. You know how I hate being talked about behind my back.”
Sadie hesitates, searching my face, but finally nods and squeezes my hand. I guide us toward the private room, pretending I don’t feel the weight of everything left unsaid.
She could have said more. I know she wanted to. But she didn’t—probably because she sees it too, the cracks I’m fighting like hell to keep from splitting wide open.
Chapter Six
Brooks
Somehow, we all make it through the lunch and to the airport, but I don’t ride with Lottie. Romy and Sadie are acting like a pair of helicopter parents while Jude just gives me the evil eye.
I remind myself I’m playing the long game. Thankfully, I’m a patient guy. I’ll bide my time until we land back in Willowbrook—then the rest of the Lottie’s family will go their separate ways, back to their lives. Tomorrow morning, when I stop in for coffee—the first fifteen minutes of every day where I cherish my time alone with Lottie—I’ll make her see we didn’t end up married by chance.
