Page 36 of Searching for Sadie
She looked over at him as another traitorous tear streamed down her cheek.
His brows knit together with confusion and concern, and it was too much. Looking away she tried to laugh it off and brushed away another tear.
"Hey," he said in his calm way but then he set one of his big strong hands on her thigh and she was done for, and the tears started to come freely. Setting his bowl down on the table next to him he put his arm around, "What is it?"
"I'm sorry, it's silly." But even as she said that she could stop herself from turning into him and sinking into the comfort he seemed to offer so effortlessly.
"It's not silly," he said as his other arm came up to wrap around her.
Her breath shuddered as she clung to him. Why was she doing this?
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed.
"Shhh, don't be sorry. It's okay," he said as he stroked her hair.
They just sat there, their dessert half eaten and melting as she cried and he held her. This is what her life had come to, and what was even more depressing was she had no clue where it was going. But Lucas smelled so good, and his arms were so strong, there was no way she could end this embrace.
After a few deep breaths, she was finally able to get herself under control. As she pulled back, his hand that had been stroking her hair, held her jaw as his hazel eyes searched hers for an answer about what had just brought that on. She wished she had the answer, she would have shared it with him, but the truth was she was just overwhelmed. There were so many emotions she'd been running from, but it all seemed to be catching up with her today.
She pulled back and took a deep breath before wiping the tears from her face. "Well, that was embarrassing."
"Please. Don't be embarrassed. I'm happy to be here for you."
"How did I luck into such a wonderful neighbor?"
"Just lucky I guess," he said with a twinkle in those eyes.
"I really am," she said as they picked up their bowls and started eating again. "I think today bothered me more than I thought it did."
His thumb grazed her cheek and wiped a tear away. The look on his face had Sadie wanted to pour out her heart to him. Gah! Why was he so perfect?!
"So... I was on the show, right?” she said, as she took a deep breath deciding to be brave. “I clearly didn’t get married, but the whole process was really hard. And when I left, I was broken hearted, then I was fired and betrayed, and now I'm here. And I'm about to have millions of viewers witness the hardest thing I've even gone through for entertainment."
"Wow. That sucks."
She gave a rough chuckle.
"Well, I think you're handling it well," he said as he slowly rocked them.
Turning, she gave him a doubtful look. "Says the man who just held me while I cried out of nowhere."
"Well, crying is not a sign of weakness, so I'm not even a little worried. But what you're going through sounds really hard. I'm right next door whenever you need anything."
She pushed on his shoulder. "You don't need to do that."
"I know I don't need to do it, but I like you."
Her eyes met his and her heart skipped a beat.
"Not like that... Well, yeah, like that, but no pressure... I'm just saying I think you're a cool person and I like hanging out with you. And if you even need to cry again, I got you. Especially if there's cobbler involved."
And as if her body moved on its own, she turned and reached for him and planted a kiss on his lips.
Why did she do that? She pulled away just as quickly as she kissed him. His mouth gaping open staring at her.
"Sorry," she said quickly
"Stop apologizing," he said before closing the distance and cupping her jaw. "Can I kiss you?" he asked
