Page 63 of One Foggy Christmas
My mom leans in, shielding Nash from her words. “I wish I had the same confidence in him that you do.”
I wouldn’t say I have confidence in him. It’s more about the confidence I used to have in myself and my ability to make solid decisions. But waking up with my life turned upside down has made me question everything. Part of leaning into Nash is discovering how I ended up down a path that doesn’t make sense and seems so unlike me.
“If you feel uncomfortable with him at all?—”
I tune out my mom’s words, darting my gaze to Nash as he loads the back of his Land Cruiser with our bags. His expression when he heard he was coming to Skaneateles will be burned in my mind forever—barring another bout of amnesia. Teary green eyes, a broad smile filling his entire face, raised brows in surprise. A look that genuine is hard to replicate.
“Oh, I’m sure Nash isn’t that bad.” I shift my attention back to my mom. “I married him for some reason.”
“And yet, we still don’t know that reason.” She steps aside so I can hug my dad and Annie.
“It will be so good to finally have you home again,” my dad says as he wraps me into his arms. “We’ll get the house decorated for Christmas, and your bedroom will be ready for you.”
“Thanks.”
Annie is next. Her hug isn’t as fragile as my parents’. She tugs me in, swaying our bodies together back and forth. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“You’re picking us up from the airport, right?”
“I’ll be there.”
Awkwardness fills the air as the five of us stand on the hospital curb by our cars, staring at each other. My parents don’t want to watch me leave with Nash, and my nerves about the situation prevent me from initiating the final goodbye.
Nash looks at me with raised brows. “Are you ready?”
There’s more behind his words than just asking if I’m ready to leave the hospital. His stare is loaded with questions about being ready to open myself up to the life I created with him and see the person I’ve become.
It would be easier to leave here with my parents, fly back to Skaneateles, and pretend everything in Chicago with Nash never existed. A huge part of mewantsto do that. But I owe it to the woman behind those text messages to see what made her so dang happy.
NASH
I never caredif there was silence between me and Sadie in a car ride. We were comfortable enough for that sort of thing. But today, the lack of conversation feels quieter than silence.
It feels deadly.
For our future, at least.
Sadie has a lot on her mind, so I don’t want to force her into talking if she doesn’t feel like it, but I also worry that if we don’t talk, she’ll assume we’re incompatible.
“Was it—” I begin just as she says, “Have you?—”
We both laugh nervously.
“Sorry.” I grip the steering wheel tighter. “You first.”
“No, you go.”
“I was just going to ask if it was hard to say goodbye to your family. I mean, I know it was. I just wanted to know if you’re okay.” I hope the reason she’s not talking has nothing to do with me and more about her being sad about her family.
“They’re what I remember, so having them with me is comforting, but it’s only until tomorrow. I’ll be okay for twenty-four hours without them.” Her face turns to me. “Have you been to my hometown before, you know, with me?”
My lips lift. “Yeah, I’ve been there with you.”
I don’t have the heart to tell her I wasn’t there under the circumstances she thinks.
“Good.” A wave of relief washes over her, and instantly, she relaxes into her seat. Her eyes brighten. “So you know my brother Tate?”
“I’ve met him once. He’s the only person in your family who liked me right off the bat.”
