Page 112 of One Foggy Christmas
“What about your job?”
“I had a one-stop shop healthcare staffing business, but this year, we went public, and I sold most of my shares to a private equity firm.”
“You did?” It’s my turn for shock. “Wasn’t that hard to let something go that you loved so much?”
His head tilts, and his eyes stare straight into mine. “I’ve done it before with something I loved even more, so I knew I could handle it.”
The meaning strikes my heart, and we’re back to staring at each other with so many shared experiences floating between us.
An announcement in a different language comes over the speaker, causing us to glance up.
“I think we’re leaving,” I say.
“I think so.”
“You’re riding the train for the whole time, right? To Zermatt?” I don’t want my words to sound too hopeful—or maybe I do. Maybe Nash and I are past games and pretenses.
“Yeah, I’m here for the duration.”
The whistle blows outside, and the train begins to move.
Excitedly, I lean toward the window, watching as the station passes by.
I turn to Nash, but he’s already staring at me.
He has the same look of complete acceptance in his eyes. After all this time, Nash is still the one person who I can be myself with—flaws and all—and he accepts me no matter what.
It’s a gift I took for granted last year.
I won’t make the same mistake again.
NASH
How doyou get your hopes up without getting them uptoohigh?
I don’t know, but I’m probably past the point of no return, and we’re only three hours into the train ride.
“Wait, you’re telling me you go to the dentistfourtimes a year for a cleaning?” Sadie’s smile lights up her whole face like a Christmas market lights up a village. I couldn’t look away from her if my life depended on it, which is tough when you’re on a train ride specifically for the views.
“Why not go in for a cleaning four times a year?”
“I thought the limit was two.”
“No, two is what insurance will pay for, but you can pay out of pocket for the other cleanings if you want them.”
“That’s weird and unnecessary.”
“Or is it brilliant and next level?” I grin back at her. “Like right now, you’re noticing how good my teeth look.”
“I noticed your teeth, and they are pretty spectacular.”
“It’s the extra cleanings.”
She laughs, and the way it fulfills me is crazy stupid.
A bell chimes, letting the passengers know to put their headphones on to listen to a brief commentary about what we see out our window. Normally, I’d be all over something like that, but I hate when we have to stop talking, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Sadie glances out the window as she slides her headphones over her ears. I try to focus on the mountains and tunnels, but my eyes wander back to her. Her hair is a little bit longer, and she’s returned to her pre-accident weight, rounding out her cheeks and curves. But the biggest difference from the last time I saw her is her countenance. Last December, Sadie’s smiles were guarded, and her walls were up. But today, the carefreeness I fell in love with four years ago is back. I don’t know how she did it, but she seems to have found herself again, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
